OUTDOOR INSTALLATION

Carved by Martin Cooney

Will and Grace / Kansas Crème Limestone

48 x 3.5 x 30″ / Woody Creek, Colorado

After having discovered these two love birds on page 280 of The Styles of Ornament by Alexander Speltz, the moment I turned the page I knew I was going to carve them.  I was immediately captivated by how the original artist had successfully managed to frame such a delightful scene within the neat confines of a triangular arch.  I was also drawn into the illustration as art in its own right.  So, following in the footsteps of my two predecessors I set about creating my own version. However I’m sure if and when I do get to see the original carving there will be a marked ‘Chinese whispers’ effect as, first the graphic artist, then I myself did our tinkering here and there. But practically my only noticeable intervention can be seen in Grace’s profile. I just could’t leave her this way, could I?

The name ‘Will and Grace’ stems, as you probably guessed, from the 90’s TV show – not that I watched much of it, but it came about as I was working on Will’s face.  As this was clearly a proposal I found myself forming his lips to mouth the word “will”, as in: “will you marry me?”  Almost immediately I found a name for the dashing knight his soon-to-be fiance became ‘Grace’, and its been Will and Grace ever since.

As I had about one and a half inches of material with which to work with, so as not to bust through the three and a half inch thick slab of Kansas Creme limestone, each fraction of an inch of this fine grained slab of Kansas Creme limestone had to be utilized to the finest degree.

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Having spent the best part of a decade or so residing in the comfort of the Birdhaven Studio Sculpture Garden I thought it prudent to leave Will and Grace in place upon our departure, as it just didn’t seem right at all to so rudely disturb them. This piece was carved with this spot in mind and to whisk them to who knows where just didn’t gel. So hopefully they are both fine and doing well, and that the new people enjoy their company as much as Kris and I did. So long you two; goodbye, fare thee well, and good luck.

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OUTDOOR INSTALLATION

Carved by Martin Cooney

Will and Grace / Kansas Crème Limestone

48 x 3.5 x 30″ / Woody Creek, Colorado

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thanks for visiting martincooney.com

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