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Hi. I'm Frankie Kangas. I love animals so I sculpt Lions, Fu Dogs and Bears (Oh My!). I donate 10% of all my s... (more...)
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Lions, Fu Dogs and Bears (OH MY!)
Animals make fastinating subjects for artists. Here you'll find unique sculptures of lions, fu dogs, bears, cats, wolves and other animals. I'll showcase my sculptures plus other artist's creations.
I'll also include interesting facts about the animals in the sculptures and links to animals organizations and artists websites so you can find as much art as you desire.
To see more of my sculptures, including non-animal art, check out my website at Sculptures by Frankie (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com).
Come back as I will be adding new sculptures, artists and great resources and websites often!
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How I Got Started As An Artist
I Started Late, But With A Fury
When I was 9 years old I saw a showing of the works of Michangelo in a museum. I was hooked on sculpture from the day I set eyes on his work. From then on I dreamed of someday working in clay and creating pieces like his. Why clay? I don't know. All I know is that all of my life, I've imagined myself working with clay.But I spent the first half of my life building a business career in Silicon Valley (California). At age of 48, I retired from business, moved to the Fort Bragg (California), and began taking art classes at the College of the Redwoods. My initial training in sculpture gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of media: wood, stone, wire, wax, bronze, cement and clay. I found that working with clay was my true vocation, turning vision into reality.
Working with clay satisfies some deep tactile sense in me. I've found I do my best work when I can include both additive and subtractive modes, which isn't possible with many other media. I like being able to push and pull, pinch and twist -- to manipulate the clay into whatever shape I want at any time I want.
My sculptures incorporate a variety of finishing techniques -- raku, saggar, horsehair, stains and underglazes, plus both low-fire and high-fire glazes. Most of my work is stylized animal figures, including lions, bears and "fu dogs" (Chinese temple lions). I also create other abstract sculpture.
In addition to on-going art classes and almost obsessive research, I am studying under the tutelage of an accomplished local sculptor.
I donate 10% of all sculpture sales to the National Wildlife Federation to help save Polar Bears from extinction. I also donates 10% of all Internet sales to Big Cat Rescue to help big cats at their sanctuary in Florida.
Video -- Lions, Fu Dogs And Bears (OH MY!)
Some Of My Sculptures
Lions, Fu Dogs & Bears Oh My!
http://www.SculpturesbyFrankie.com Lions, Fu Dogs & Bears Oh My! - Sculptures And Art Work Of Frankie Kangas
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LIONS - LIONS - LIONS
Video Of Lion Sculptures
Some Of My Work
Lions Sculpture Called "Nine Lives"
Here is one of my latest sculptures. I am fascinated by drawings and painting of pictures within pictures but have never seen it done in sculpture form, so I came up with this idea of a sculpture of a lion face, but made up a several lions. Below you can see the original drawing and the end result. It looks like it was carved from wood because instead of glazing it, I used stains, acrylics and waxes.
Nine Lives -- Can you find all 9 lions?
Young King
Ceramic - High Fire Glaze
This one-of-a-kind sculpture was individually hand-made using slab-built clay construction techniques and an armature of newspaper. As the sculpture dried, the newspaper was removed, the piece was bisque fired, then a coating of glaze was sprayed on the sculpture and it was high fired.Size: 12 1/2" High x 10 1/2" Wide x 12" Deep
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-felines (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-felines.php)
Young King and NWF
I just donated "Young King", the sculpture above to the National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) July 16, 2008 dinner and auction event at Grant's Farm in St. Louis, MO.
NWF and Adolphus Busch are hosting the event to raise money to save and enhance wetland habitat that is home and haven to a myriad of wild creatures, including thousands of migrating water fowl. Julie Scardina of Sea World/Busch Gardens fame will MC the event.
If you'd like more information on how to donate or to attend the event, contact, Dan Gifford, Manager, NWF Expeditions at 1-800-606-9563.
Lion, Mother and Cub
Ceramic - Horsehair Raku
This one-of-a-kind sculpture was individually hand-made using slab-built clay construction techniques. The handcrafted piece was bisqued fired then during the raku firing, horsehair was burned onto the sculpture. As the hair is consumed by fire it twists and turns, producing a unique pattern. The sculpture was then scrubbed, waxed and buffed.
Size: 4" High x 6" Wide x 7 1/2" Deep
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-felines (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-felines.php)
Pride
Ceramic Lion Sculpture
This one-of-a-kind sculpture was made using a slab of clay over a armature of newspaper. It was was bisque fired, sprayed with a glaze, then high-fired at cone 10.Size: 10" High x 9" Wide x 12" Deep
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-felines
New Flickr Photos
Walter S. Arnold
Stone Carver
Walter Arnold is one of my favorite stone carvers. His animals are terrific. Here's a favorite of mine.
Big Cat Rescue
With Your Help, We Can Save These Big Guys!
Big Cat Rescue is one of the world's largest sanctuaries for wild cats. They provide a permanent retirement home for more than 100 lions, tigers, leopards, cougars, servals, caracals, sand cats, etc., representing 16 of the 35 species of exotic cat. Nowhere else can so many species of exotic cat be found in one place.
Click on the picture on the right to see how you can help.
Click on the picture on the right to see how you can help.
If you love Tigers too, check out Hobbes at Funniest Calvin-and-Hobbes
FU DOGS - FU DOGS - FU DOGS
Just What Is A Fu Dog or Imperial Lion
Interesting Facts About Them
I started sculpting Fu Dogs because they are Chinese Lions an I lOVE lions. From the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) until the end of the empire in 1911, Fu Dogs were powerful mythic protectors that have tradionally stood in front of Chinese imperial palaces, emperors tombs, government offices and homes of government officials and wealthy.* Fu Dogs or Foo Dogs are also known as Imperial Lions, Temple Lions, Guardian Lions,Shi, or Ra shi da.
* They were traditionally carved from marble and granite or cast in bronze or iron.
* Traditionally presented as a pair with the male on the right and the female on the left.
* Having a pair of Fu Dogs in front of a home was a traditional symbol of a family's wealth or social status.
* Symbolically, the male fu dog guards the structure, while the female protects the inhabitants.
For more details about these mythical creatures click Imperial Gardian Lions
Fu Dogs -- China Trip Pictures Taken 2007
She's Baaack!
A good friend of mine just got back from China at the end of 2007. Here are the first of her pictures of Fu Dogs.
So come back again as I'll add more as I get them!
Pair of fu dogs in Beijing, China. Temple of Heaven.
Fu dog front in Beijing, China. Temple of Heaven.
Fu Dog side in Beijing, China. Temple of Heaven.
Foot of fu dog in Beijing, China. Temple of Heaven.
Beautiful Fu Dog Lamps on Amazon
For The Fu Dog Lover
Fu Dog Gifts You'll Want To Keep For Yourself
Fu Dogs On Flickr
Check out these fu dog photos taken by travelers. Add your own and vote for your favorites.
Fu Dog - Small
Ceramic - High Fire
This is the smallest version of my smiling fu dogs
(I create 4 sizes). This one-of-a-kind sculptures was individually hand-made using pinch pot and coil clay construction techniques. When they dried they were sanded then bisque fired. Finally, they were sprayed with a glaze and high fired.
Size: 4" High x 4 1/4" Wide x 6 1/2" Deep
Base: 1 1/4" High x 4 1/2" Wide x 5" Deep
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-fudogs (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-fudogs.php)
Fu Dog - XLarge
Ceramic - High Fire Glaze
Award Winner
Honorable Mention, Animal Contest
Mendocino Art Center in Mendocino, CA
March of 2007
Traditionally, fu dogs are fierce animals to ward away evil or bad juju. I make mine smiling and jolly. I take the, "I'll change evil into love" approach. This one-of-a-kind sculpture was individually hand-made using slab-built clay construction techniques and an armature of newspaper. As the sculpture dried, the newspaper was removed, the piece was bisque fired, then a coating of glaze was sprayed on the sculpture and it was high fired.Size: 13" High x 11" Wide x 10" Deep
Base: 1 1/2" High x 10 1/2" Wide x 16 1/2" Deep
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-fudogs (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-fudogs.php)
Must See Terricotta Army Videos
Books On Fu Dogs And Chinese Art
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Fu-Dog by Rumer Godden
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The foo dog by Tobias Wells
1 point
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Other Books On Chinese Sculpture
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Photos And Recent Articles About Fu Dogs
Here I'll be including links to recent photos and articles about fu dogs.
- Fu Dogs
- Here are some fabulous close ups of a pair of Fu Dogs. Extremely artistic -- both the fu dogs and the photographer's artistry.
BEARS - BEARS - BEARS
Polar Bear Sculpture Comes to LIFE
"Nanuk, Lord of the Ice"
This one-of-a kind ceramic sculpture breaks free and becomes live. See the next section for more pictures of this sculpture, or for more sculptures, visit Sculptures by Frankie-bears (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-bears.php)
Anatomy Of A Polar Bear Scupture
Anatomy Of A Sculpture (Polar Bear)
http://www.SculpturesbyFrankie.com Anatomy Of A Polar Bear Sculpture, And Other Art From Frankie Kangas
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Nanuk, Lord Of The Ice
Ceramic - High Fire Glaze
Here are the various views of my polar bear sculpture.
Bearing Three
Ceramic - High Fire Glaze
This one-of-a-kind sculpture was individually hand-made using slab-built clay construction techniques. The handcrafted piece was then bisque fired. Both under-glazes and high fire glazes were sprayed on the sculpture. Then it was high fired.Size: 7" High x 13 1/2" Wide x 15 1/2" Long
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-bears (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-bears.php)
Stone Bear
Ceramic - Horsehair Raku
One-of-a-kind bear sculpture was individually hand-made using slab-built clay construction techniques. The handcrafted piece was burnished before being bisque fired. Using the special firing technique known as "raku", real horsehair was dropped onto the sculpture. As the fire consumes the hair, it twists and turns, producing an embedded one-of-a-kind pattern. After being scrubbed, the sculpture was waxed an buffed.Size: 4 1/2" High x 4" Wide x 8" Long
For more information and larger pictures click Sculptures by Frankie-bears (www.sculpturesbyfrankie.com/list-bears.php)
Polar Bear Sculpture by Alec Lawson Tuckatuck
I just discovered this absolutely incredible sculptor. He is fabulous as you can see by these videos of his polar bears. You can find him at Inuit Stone Carving.
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Polar Bear Sculpture by Alec Lawson Tuckatuck 0 points
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Polar Bear Sculpture by Alec Lawson Tuckatuck 0 points
Wear Your Love For Polar Bears
10% of all sales are donated to National Wildlife. If you want to see more of this design, click More BearsWomen's Dark T-Shirt
Women's Dark T-Shirt
Price: 22.99
Organic Cotton Tee
Organic Cotton Tee
Price: 18.99
Dark T-Shirt
Dark T-Shirt
Price: 20.99
Greeting Card
Greeting Card
Price: 3.49
Greeting Card
Greeting Card
Price: 3.49
500 Animals In Clay
This is my most favorite animal sculpture book -- EVER. It hasn't made it into my library yet. It sits next to my recliner where I can pick it up and thumb through it at will. And, believe me, I flip through it often.The art ranges from artful realism to provocative surrealism (including animal-human hybrids) and from humorous to bazaar. And, it features every animal imaginable. In my humble opinion, it is a must for every artist's library.
For more information, click 500 Animals in Clay
Polar Bear Creations By David Booth
Terrific Polar Bear Art On T-shirts and Everything Else
As far a I'm concerned, David Booth of Cabin Fever Art, is a genius and a true artist. I showcase one of his polar bear cartoon weekly on my lens Are You Polar Bear Aware? Check it out.
His polar bear creations are fabulous (he does other things as well) but my favorite is this one:
His polar bear creations are fabulous (he does other things as well) but my favorite is this one:
When Polar Bears Dream
Below the photo, you'll see how you can order this image on a t-shirt.