Inspired by Gustav Klimt's scintillating painting, The Kiss, my Kiss Couple proved to to be one of my most technically challenging, yet rewarding creations.

The male and female figures are sculpted individually, then molds are made of each. Porcelain casts of the two figures were joined and re-sculpted to reflect the intimate mood of the lovers.

 

A set of 9 different molds of body parts is cast, carefully re-sculpted together, refining the details; this is fired as one piece. The most tedious part is the cleaning, which too often results in breakage...leading to great frustration, and taking me back to the 9-mold stage.

The costuming requires meticulous historical research, and an intense quest for the perfect fabrics and trims (which I often have to MAKE "perfect").

The result of the first Kiss Couple, (Renaissance Romance, pictured right) opened my imagination to endless possibilities: King & Queen of Hearts, 18th Century French, Medieval, etc.

I try to make one couple each year, based on famous, infamous, or fascinating lovers.

 

"King and Queen of Hearts" was featured on the cover of Dolls magazine, February 2002.