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About..

I discovered wax relief sculptures in miniature about

12 years ago after searching for a process that sculptors

used in the 18th century for making wax anatomical models.

At the time I was working with porcelain exclusively, creating functional

ware and also sculptural and jewelry pieces. I found a bit more

creative freedom in wax, and the more I worked with it,

the more interesting it became.

I was particularly drawn to the dramatic Spiritual scenes of the

afterlife in religious wax relief sculptures and found the elaborate little details of wax portraiture to be enchanting. Wax portraiture was a luxury reserved for aristocrats and royalty for centuries. These delicate little masterpieces featured intricate braids and headpieces, finely detailed lace collars and convincing faces.

Wax is luminous and warm and malleable and lends itself

to the depiction of the human form. It was a warmth that I couldn't achieve with porcelain

and I was really excited to experiment with it.

I've been a sculptor for as long as I can remember. From the time I was 5 or 6 years old sculpting was an intuitive, instinctual, almost compulsory action of my hands. My family used to buy cheap packs of modeling clay for me and I would lose the world around me for hours with it. I had a thing for sculpting tiny figures.. really tiny. I remember feeling compelled to open them up and give them hearts, and eye sockets, brains, bones..feeling that somehow this infused my little sculptures with a spark of life. I suppose everything I do now is just a continuation of that. 

Spiritual devotionals, Mexican Folk Art, old carnival tchotchkes, Russian fairy tales, rainbow chakra energy, shadows and villainy are also some of the things that inspire the sculptures that I create. 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                               

 I am delighted and honored to continue my partnership with Morbid Anatomy to offer some of my smaller limited edition wax and gypsum collectibles.. I am a longtime fan of

 Morbid Anatomy and their library of detailed essays on wax art through the ages.

 

A whole new website and a new collection is finally here! My new website now also features researched articles on wax related arts. These articles are released monthly.. (or I try. sometimes I run behind a bit). Join me for a geek out session on historical wax art subjects like Vintage Floral Wax Tiaras, German Wax Cookie Molds, The History of Miniature Wax Portraiture sprinkled with videos of my own wax carving works in progress.

The Winter Collection in my shop will continue to be available for a limited time. Little wax tchotchkes, wrapping papers that feature my wax designs, puzzles that feature my wax designs (including a "Blue Room" for adults only). Check out my Shop of Little Miracles!

I'm hoping to take part in a few in-person exhibitions this year. If only for the sake of wearing a gown.

I will also be releasing little sets of digital images featuring my art that you can use as wallpapers on your phone and desktop calendars for your computer or tablet.  If you are on my mailing list, many of these will be FREE to you as a thank you for your support.

 

Happy New Year!

XOX  

Heather O'Shaughnessy

News 2023

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