The Art of Passage - Dawn & Dusk Door

Real Carriage Door Company introduces the Artist-in-residence series of handcrafted doors. Rich in tradition and material, these wood doors with custom bronze panels boast an unmatched uniqueness for both private residences and public arenas. http://www.realcarriagedoors.com/bronze-doors.php

Pictured: Dawn and Dusk by sculptor Mardie Rees. The Art-nouveau inspired bronze panels contain the allegorical figures of Dawn and Dusk, cyclically welcoming each other as time passes in earthly rhythm. The dark tones of Mahogany give these art pieces the frame they deserve.

Dawn & Dusk Door in the woods

Dawn & Dusk were recently installed on a beautiful arched entry door built by Real Carriage Door Co. (designed by my talented husband, Jeremy Broderick) that recently shipped to New Orleans for the AIA Convention May 11-15, 2011 We are all excited to hear the reception of this beautiful harmony of handcrafted wood and rich bronze.

Before the door shipped we took advantage of a beautiful Saturday. We took the door into the woods - not an easy task beacuse the door weighed 200 lbs! Here are just some quick photos taken with my phone. The professional photos coming soon!

The logistics of getting it down a small trail and over a fallen tree trunk!

My daughter wondering what all the fuss is about!

Aren't they beautiful?

How did the door get there!

Dawn & Dusk....completed!

Dawn & Dusk (Diptych)
37 X 22 X 2.5"
Bronze, 2011
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Dawn & Dusk are high relief diptych panels of two female figures representing dawn and dusk. Draped figures stand in archway with a small verse unscripted at bottom. The panels were designed for a grand front entry door being currently built at Real Carriage Door Company! (pictures coming soon) They will be installed in an entry door next week and being going to the AIA Conference in New Orleans, LA.
Inscription reads:
Left Verse
Awaken to the song of wings
that every morning softly sings
Right Verse
Watch now as the sun sinks low
amber light and shadows grow
By Kim Smith (my Sister)
Detail of left corner on the 'Dusk' panel. The top arch way reads "Dusk Welcomes Dawn"

Dawn & Dusk Relief Panels

I've been so busy finishing my panels I haven't had a chance to continue posting the process, so now that I am done sculpting them I thought I'd post how I got there!

Here is where the idea began - a drawing I did in 2009. They originally were designed to go in an entry door made by Real Carriage Door Company. I've worked on this piece off and on between commissions and after each commission I would come back and change an aspect of the design. It has been evolving over the past two years.

Where I was in early January of 2011

Detail

Working on getting the leg of Dusk in the right place.

Dusks drapery is complete.

My Husband, Jeremy Broderick, really helped with the project being the perfectionist that he is! He designed text, determined placement, and sculpted the text. Jeremy helped stay true to the organic yet perfect balance of the Art Nouveau style! I couldn't have completed it without him!

Above are pictures of completed Dawn & Dusk in clay before we started the molds. They are now at the foundry (2 Raven Studio in Tacoma, Washington) and being cast in Bronze for Real Carriage Door Company in Gig Harbor, Washington. The door has been awaiting the bronze panels for quite some time now.

Poem Credit goes to my sister: Kim (Rees) Smith on bottom right and left panels. She is also the beautiful model for Dusk. She is always an inspiration to me and I don't tire of sculpting her.