Tracy H Sugg

Tools of the trade are vital - my tools are precise, some have been personally designed by me and then crafted by a woodworker, Andy Metts. However, in addition to my tools, my Sculptor’s Smock is important for my work. Sculptors have used smocks throughout history. Bernini, the Baroque sculptor even met the Queen of Sweden wearing his sculpting smock - she was so touched by the symbolism of the act that she reached out and touched it. Smocks were used to protect one’s clothi

One of the main areas of a sculptor's work is that of Portraiture, which happens to also be one of my favorites. I have been asked if the technology of 3D printing will affect the commissions for portraits, and I have not experienced that it has. I also don't think that it can - not really. A true portrait, whether in sculpture or painting - has to pass through the eyes and hands of the artist. It is no mere static, sterile 'copy' of the person. The job of the sculptor is

One often thinks of sculpture as statues standing outside on a plinth, however, sculpture historically functioned hand in hand with architecture. Researching the beautiful fountains and palaces of Europe, decorative sculpture is strewn all over facades, window casements and arches. Inside you find sculptural elements on mantel pieces, ceilings, above doorways, and stair banisters.... And so I began to research this fascinating place that sculpture fulfilled in architectura

One of the most vital elements for a sculptor - is live models. My children, myself and husband have often been utilized in my sculptures, and most commissions require research into posthumous portraits. However, being able to sculpt from live models is a gift to a sculptor. Friends and relatives have graciously sat for me. "Graciously" being a key word. Modeling is much harder than one thinks. I modeled in college for the art classes, and after each break, resuming a po

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10156719157885459.1073741833.433408770458&type=3 The moment every sculptor lives for: the unveiling of the sculpture! I always encourage my collectors to have an unveiling of their sculpture, especially when it is a public arena - monuments, universities, corporations, or in this case... a hospital. St Dominic's Hospital in Jackson, MS. Unveiling adds that unique anticipation to your sculpture, heightening the drama and expectatio

Have sketchbook, Will travel.... and travel we did, all the way to the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft Worth, TX. It is rare that I visit any musuem exhibit without sketch book in hand, I have sketches from every visit to the Met in New York City, the Cloisters, and the nearby Frist in Nashville - as well as from the Uffizi, Vatican and Louvre and many other museums. (In fact, my children now also bring their own sketchbooks to art museums.) Parks, fountains, and architecture ar

Back in 2009, I went into a used book shop (bibliophilia being one of my vices!) and found a jewel. The first section I always scout out being the art section, which is usually cluttered with tomes on painting (that to my painter friends :)) I found a book, written in 1925 by a Sculptor, F. W. Ruckstull "Great Works of Art and What Makes Them Great". An extremely deep read, and very well worth the reading if you find a copy! Though Ruckstull was a sculptor, his book applie

I have been working with glass artist, Tammy O'Connor of Vitric Vision Glass Studio. We have been researching a way to slump glass over sculpture. Tammy conducted numerous trials, broke tons of glass, and finally discovered a breakthrough (no pun intended). This first trial piece was inspired by St. Paul "Behold, we see through a glass darkly". Interestingly our intention was to have the figure completely veiled by the glass. Tammy chose a smoothly textured irridescent g

First, clay is not dirt. A common misconception. Clay is decomposed igneous rock, like granite, and dirt is, well, dirt, and all kinds of decomposing organic material thrown in for fun. On the molecular level, clay molecules are shaped like discs or plates while dirt is a combination of anything. This explains why when you garden without gloves (like I do) the dirt gets stuck under your fingernails and is a pain to get out. Clay, however, dries and slides right out. I n

Working in my studio today, I remembered one of the most poignant commissions I had. A family had a child that died during birth, the only tangible thing they possessed was the hand prints of their baby. They asked me to create two tiny baby hands in clay based from those hand prints. A sorrowfully sweet commission - Yet, also very fulfilling to create a memory they could always touch. #sculpting