Presenting a Limited Edition 18" Bronze Friesian
Horse Sculpture available with deluxe patina.
Other Sizes available, contact us for more information:
46" = $16,500
11' = contact for price
Friedom
Friesian Stallion by Mike Fields
Immediately after witnessing the beauty and grace of the Friesian breed, I knew that I would sculpt this magnificent horse. The proportions and lines of this breed struck me as very artistic—and then I saw how the horse moved—magnificent. It was striking to see how incredibly graceful Friesians are; truly indescribable. I set about sculpting this elegant horse working in clay, slowly refining the proportions and muscle groups, while always having concern for the overall silhouette and fluid lines of the Friesian. I spent numerous hours studying the anatomy of the horse. I realized that without extensive anatomical understanding, it would be impossible for me to create a realistic organic form that was truly believable. While working on this sculpture, I began to study some of the old masters’ work, trying to understand what it was that truly made their work great. I learned three major lessons from my study: The masters saw the work as a whole and focused as much on the overall composition, movement, balance, and fluidity as on the intimate details, while always capturing the organic nature of the subject. It became very important for me to not have any linearity or planar surfaces, which make a sculpture so rigid and dead. I also learned that light is the great revealer of form and that if the form was not accurate then light would reveal this. This taught me to work in a dark room with one very bright light, which I would move around to expose the form. Also it was clear that the masters spent a great deal of time studying and measuring their subject to ensure proper proportion and justice to the subject. They had a great eye and skill for this, which I believe is slowly being lost in fine art sculpture. It was very important to me to get the proportions exactly correct, which led me to begin working with a caliper in millimeters, checking and rechecking my measurements. Once I completed the clay sculpture, I realized I was not able to get the precision, control, and surface I desired in clay, so I molded the sculpture and cast it in resin to further refine the surface. This choice added much expense and time, and I think it was necessary to achieve the final result. Throughout this process, I would email images to owners of the breed and ask them to critique the conformation and anatomy of my sculpture. I repeated this many times to ensure satisfying a true lover of the breed. In all, I worked over 1,700 hours on this piece, often doing areas over and over again until I was satisfied.
Mike Fields
At a young age, Mike Fields has already established himself as an accomplished sculptor.
In his early teens he began studying under his father, Chester Fields, learning technique, form and design. Throughout his career, Mike has maintained the drive to continue to create greater work each time he steps into his studio.
With time and consideration, Mike breathes life into his works of creation. Mike develops his gift for realism with each precise movement of his instrument. Quality workmanship is never compromised in order to release a new piece into the marketplace before Mike believes it is ready—his pieces require 500 to 2000 hours to complete, and each new composition demands more attention to meet his growing expectations.
“There seems to be subjective as well as objective measures of art. Although art is subjective in its nature, I believe objective qualities such as attention to its craftsmanship and the depth of thought that go into a work are necessary to support the power of the piece. I am only beginning to understand that art is much more than a mechanical process. A painting or sculpture could be well executed, yet have no depth of meaning or emotion. I believe the true challenge to an artist is to bring the work to life and move the viewer.”
Mike’s deep inquiry into style, culture, and methodologies transcends his work into powerful, well-executed pieces. His father emphasized the importance of proper proportions and attention to detail throughout his tutorship. It is from this foundation that Mike intends to add his own expression of art. He has already gained recognition from art collectors and dealers nationwide.
Mike believes art comes in many forms and surrounds us at all times in our daily life. “The very seeing of beauty is an art. It is from this source that I am beginning to gain a deeper inspiration and am forever humbled.
Mike’s personal journey with art mirrors his path through life. “I am becoming at peace with the discontent that drives me forward in my life and my career. I am constantly seeking to improve my work and my character. Since childhood, I have been seeking answers to the deep questions that are at the heart of us all and have not been deterred by the answers that are so readily available. This inquiry into truth has added a depth of meaning, peace and an appreciation for life that I could not have found any other way.
“I am still discovering what I would like to express through my work and how I would like to convey it. Art offers a rare opportunity to share a point of view—aesthetically or intellectually—with others, which may be difficult to express through other means. I would like to focus on this ability of art in my future work.”
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