about the show…

This fundraising event will help her underwrite the cost of the thirty day, 8 state and District of Columbia tour she will begin at the end of this month.  Irene has inspired so many people with her art work over the years and at this event we can help inspire Irene as she prepares to take her art message to thousands of Americans in the south central and southeastern United States.  Irene will also be carrying art pieces on the tour that represent the work of other artists who share her passion for liberty.

If you cannot attend but want to send a donation for the tour, please send your donation to “Irene’s Liberty Tour, 3640 West Chinden Boulevard, Garden City, Idaho.

Liberty Let’s Roll!’s entry has been accepted for Red Bull’s Gala in Dallas. Yee Haw! You can rate this piece by going to the web site below.  Click on the “Gallery” button and scroll through the thumbnails to the 11th image, “Liberty Rising” and click on that.   On the far right is a bar graph that will light up when you move your cursor over it.  Your participation is appreciated as I am using this opportunity to gain more visibility for the 2010 Tour through the southern states in September.  Of course, the higher the rating the better! Thank you!!

http://www.redbullartofcan.com/#flashws.asmx/EventGallery?fromMasterGallery=false&eventName=Dallas&eventID=12

Artist notes:  Attached is a picture taken before shipping the sculpture to Texas.  It is difficult to appreciate the detail in this 36″ tall piece from photos.  The fabrication involved welding an intricate frame work to create the undulating folds of fabric and then to weave  strips of Red bull cans into it. This required cutting up 50 cans by hand into 1/4″ by 4 inch sections.  I can still smell the sweet sticky residue that dripped out from each can as I worked over the course of 2 1/2 weeks.  The face, crown hands, feet and legs were all sculpted by  forming, welding and grinding 9 gauge wire….a rather tedious technique for this kind of detail and scale.  Another detail that is hard to detect in the photo image is the full size Red Bull can enveloped in Liberty’s skirts.

Abraham Lincoln Cast Bronze

Idaho Sandstone

9′h x 11′w x 5′ d

Saturday, June 19th

Noon

Julia Davis Park (next to the Black History Museum)

Mayoral Dedication

Music

Refreshments

Notes from the Artist: More than a year ago I began working on a rendering of bronze sculpture, “Gethsemane”. Eight Idaho women with a desire to give something significant to the City of Boise, commissioned me to do the work. This entailed traveling to Newark, NJ where Borglum’s original work sits in front of the Essex County Courthouse to oversee and the three dimensional scans and photograph this 100 year old masterpiece. The painstaking process of recreation began using the highly technical scans and more than 300 photographs. A foam model was sculpted in foam from the scanned information using Laser and transported to a foundry in Oregon where I applied a clay overlayment and sculpted in details and surface texture over a five week period. The finished foam/clay model was then carefully cut into more than 20 pieces from which over 50 molds were taken to begin the labor intensive bronze casting process requiring a team of eight to complete. The two most striking characteristics of my Abraham Lincoln that differs from Borglum’s Gethsemane are the monumental scale (enlarged from 1 1/2 times life to twice life) and substitution of his bronze bench for Idaho Sandstone. I am pleased with how this larger than life work fits proportionally into the expansive park setting with its old growth trees without over powering or being dwarfed by it. In addition, Abraham Lincoln’s close proximity to the Boise City Zoo will attract children and families to interact with it’s contemplative spirit. The sandstone bench makes for comfortable and inviting seating that incorporates steps for little ones to climb up and sit as well. This was an important goal the donors had in mind for public interaction especially children. Lincoln’s proximity to the Black History Museum is also a poignant reminder of this President’s powerful role as “Emancipator”.

Gratitude: I am honored to have been given the opportunity to be a part of such an important historical project and owe special thanks to David Leroy and Carol MacGregor who were it’s major champions. Dave and Lisa at Scansite whose extensive knowledge in three dimensional scanning of sculptures were delightful to work with. Kelly Hand at Satellite Models provided an expert foam model from which I could build upon. Steve Parks and crew from Parks Foundry were tireless, committed and highly skilled in their work from mold making, to wax modeling, bronze casting and patina, they are some of the best in their field. Gerhard Borbonus, Joaquin and crew at Borbonus Landscaping were like a skilled Atlas as they fabricated and maneuvered with great precision the entire two tons of work into place.

I am completely grateful to all! Irene Deely

http://web.me.com/thinkq/Behind_the_door_of_an_artist/Irene_Juliette_Deely.html

Love & Liberty,
Irene

The purpose of this tour,  to invite public dialogue about the value and fragility of freedom, is more relevant than ever.  Liberty Let’s Roll! remains unfettered by political or religious allegiances and maintains no agenda other than an insatiable desire to inspire a fuller understanding and appreciation of this priceless gift.

We believe that it takes every citizen of a free country to do what they can to make sure it is passed on to the next generation.  It is exciting to include the work of other artists who want to share their creative passions to this end.  We  invite your participation as we venture out on the road.

We are offering opportunities to get involved through the purchase of “Liber-tees” and other LLR merchandise, limited edition cast bronze sculptures or donor packages that include a wide variety of exclusive perks   http://womanofsteelgallery.com/oscstore/index.php?cPath=22   

Your support will help to pay for for transportation costs and other expenses associated with the of hauling the 8 foot cast bronze sculpture, Liberty Lets Roll! and exhibition of other selected art work during it’s 2010 tour.  

For more information background and pending itinerary please go to http://www.libertyletsroll.com

If you are aware of a venue that might enjoy a visit by the Liberty Rising Tour please contact Clif @ 251-975-8480 or respond to this e-mail.

Rolling with Liberty,
Irene Deely

The Special Olympic’s Cauldron, designed by Rene Lagler and fabricated by Woman of Steel with creative additions and textural application by sculptor, Irene Deely is being gifted to the city of Boise by Special Olympics International and will be installed at the Boise Airport with a gala unveiling on Monday, November 9th at 12:15.

Boise Mayor David Bietor, Airport Director, Richard McConnell and Chris Privon of the World Winter Games will be in attendance. Live Music by Steve Eaton and the Native American Flutist who appeared at the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2009 will be performing. Channel 7 will also be broadcasting live during the unveiling. At this time, the actual mechanism for lifting the drape from this 24′ steel creation is yet unknown. The drama of how this will be accomplished will be yours to witness!

I hope you can experience first hand the agony or defeat…cheering on a very human effort sustained by a very special team!!

Respect and Appreciation For Your Support,

Irene Deely, Owner/Sculptor,
Woman of Steel Gallery
Garden City, Idaho
www.womanofsteelgallery.com