The end of March brought us the end of another life-size project here at Hefestus Fine Arts. Since late last April we have been working on 2 life-size human figures and a horse for sculptor Kelly Graham. Kelly is a sculpture out of Weatherford, TX and this project was a commissioned memorial piece that was installed at Texas A&M in the Hildebrand Family Courtyard.

Kelly Graham is a phenomenal western/equine sculptor. He has had the opportunity to sculpt horses, bucking bulls, and many outstanding individuals as well. He has done life-size renditions of the legendary leading stallion High Brow Cat and Docs Stylish Oak, as well as a monument of auctioneer Ike Hamilton selling Poca Lena.

The piece installed in the Courtyard was a memorial piece of Dr.Thomas Hildebrand, a 1956 alumni of Texas A&M, commissioned by his son Jeff Hildebrand. Jeff Hildebrand’s daughter, Brittany, was the inspiration for the second life-size figure in this project. Dr.Hildebrand was a vet and in this bronze sculpture he is wearing overalls with his arms crossed and is watching his granddaughter lead a horse in her English Riding gear.

During our Stock Show booth this past February we had the horse on display, it was tack welded together, this is a rarely seen stage in the Lost Wax Process. Now the three figures are in place at their home in front of the Texas A&M Equestrian Team building. We have already started on a couple of other life-size projects for artist Shelley Kolman Smith, so stay tuned for updates!