A while ago I was contacted by a friend in America who had a commission she wanted me to do for her. This would turn out to be something I would spend many enjoyable hours working on.

She had an old black and white photograph of her Grandparents (mothers side) in the 1940s, and she wanted two custom figures making of them... so she could give them as a gift to her Mother. (such a lovely idea)

We discussed it back and forth, and ended up on the idea of having the figures sitting on a park bench. This would make a nice display, and something a little nicer than just having the figures standing upright next to each other.

I set about making the head sculpts, and started buying in the pieces that I would need to put the figures together. (bodies, clothes, wood for the bench etc). Also I had to figure out how to make a park bench that could be taken apart and sent 'flat pack', but easily assembled out of only 3 or 4 pieces. (much harder than I thought it would be! If only I was a carpenter)

Anyway... eventually over time I got the head sculpts made, made resin casts of them, painted them up, put the bodies together, did some sewing work on the clothing (well... got my wife to do it!).. and built the bench.

They looked fantastic all set up (I was really happy how they turned out, I always worry about things like that... and whether or not the customer will like it) - thankfully she did. And so did her Mum (she saw the photos right after I'd finished them).

She cried. In a good way.

So now the figures are on their way over the Ocean to their new home. It's always hard sending something off when you've been working on it for many months. It somehow becomes part of your studio. You get used to it. Also you have the additional worry of "will they like it?" ....thankfully the answer to that has so far always been 'yes'.

I can't wait for the figures to arrive in their new home, and to hear about the reactions... it's such a lovely idea for a gift. Something relaly personal, even emotional.

And I'm happy, and honoured to have been asked to be a part of it.

I'll put some photos in my gallery here

Darren