Sculptureworks, Inc.

Joy Kroeger Beckner
"Three Faces of Guinevere"
Bronze with Rotating Mahogany Base
Edition of 20 & 2 Artist's Proofs
14" Diameter x 19 1/2" H

three faces of guinevere
Photograph by Mel Schockner.
Photograph by Mel Schockner.

Photograph by Mel Schockner.
Joy Kroeger Beckner discusses her sculpture "Three Faces of Guinevere" at the 2003 "Touching Leaves . . ." Sculpture Show and Sale in Danville, IL. Photograph by Elizabeth Loggins.

"In October 2000, I walked my dachshunds, Lizzie and Edgar, in the neighborhood. We stopped to see our neighbor, Joanlee Ferarra, and her two-month-old golden retriever puppy, Guinevere. I'd never wanted to sculpt a fluffy dog, but Guinevere was absolutely adorable. She won my heart with her eyelashes: they wouldn't stop. In December, I mustered the nerve to ask Joanlee if I could work on a clay sculpture of Guinevere in her kitchen. She said yes, but my, how Guinevere had grown! Suddenly I had a new goal. I would create a three-in-one puppy portrait. It would range in age from two months to eight months! I redesigned the armature and quickly created the four month portrait. Then, I blocked in the younger and the older heads and waited for Guinevere to grow. When I returned in April to complete the largest head, I could not believe how much Guinevere had grown. Her head was an inch longer than I had blocked in. Because I didn't live with Guinevere, I used photos for reference, but it was great to have Guinevere for life studies for the four month and the eight month portraits. Finally, I completed the youngest puppy from memory and Joanlee's marvelous photos." - Joy Kroeger Beckner

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