Tim McSherry

Colorado to Georgia, Clay to Bronze

Tim grew up in the foothills of Jefferson County, CO and has recently moved to Evans, GA.  His artistic career began as a candle carver at Heritage Square in Golden, CO.  At only 18 he started The Wax Workers candle company and began sculpting and selling candles to stores all across the United States. 

In addition to being an artist, Tim was a first responder from 1984 - 2012, first as a firefighter, then Deputy Sheriff, then Emergency Manager.   He retired after 25 years of service and now provides Disaster Management Consulting Services around the world.  “Many of my projects right now are in West Africa and Eastern Europe.  We’re trying to help countries develop emergency plans and improve capabilities to better deal with disasters."

I love to bring out the emotion and feeling of each character."

Tim’s only been sculpting in clay since 2012.  “I’ve not had any formal training in sculpting, but try and pick up new techniques from anyone I can.  Sculpting faces are my favorite!  I love to bring out the emotion and feeling of each character I make."

Graphic Arts and Design has also been a passion of Tim's.  In the early 80's he owned and operated King Graphics, an offset printing business. Over the past 30 years, Tim has designed numerous logos, patches and brochures, and even designed the paint scheme of a law enforcement mobile command post.

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From Clay to Bronze

The Clay Original

The concept is first sculpted completely in an oil-based clay.

Silicone Coating

Several layers of silicone rubber are brushed onto the clay until it is 1/4 to 3/8" thick.

Creating the Mold

A plaster support is built around the silicone. This mold is filled with wax.

Wax Casting

The wax is dipped in slurry to create a shell on the exterior. The wax is poured out and the shell is filled with molten bronze.

The Final Touches

Once the bronze cools down, the shell is chiseled away and final details can be perfected.

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Concept to Finish

When bronze is the desired end product, Tim uses oil-based clay to make the original.  Oil-based clay never dries, and holds detail extremely well. Once the original is complete, several layers of silicone rubber are brushed onto the clay until it is 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick.  After the molds are set, they are taken apart and the original is removed.  This leaves an exact "negative" of the original.

A support mold made of plaster or epoxy is then built around the silicone to help it keep its shape. The next step in the process is to have several layers of wax poured into the mold.  The result is a wax replica of the original which will then be given to the foundry for casting.

The wax is then repeatedly dipped in  slurry which creates a hard shell.  The shell is heated, causing the wax to melt out.  While the shell is hot, bronze which has been heated to over 2000 degrees is then poured into the empty shell.  After the shell is chiseled away, the piece is reconstructed if necessary, sandblasted, and any detail that was lost is engraved back into the metal.

The final step is the patina process.