ArtFire

This wood carving of a Collared Lizard is painted using an airbrush to achieve the delicate colors. It is interesting and challenging to paint it.

These reptiles enjoy bouldery hillsides, and run with just their hind feet when they need speed. This sculpture is a nice size to hold in your hand: 8 x 9 x 2 centimeters, or 3.3 x 3.5 x 1 inches.

Thank you for looking at this sculpture, which is entirely designed and created by artist Sandra Healy; if you have any questions, please click the contact button below.

This Collared Lizard and all my carved wood animals are designed by first viewing numerous photos and the actual animal as references. Then I simplify the shape to what I feel expresses the essence of the animal. In painting I also try to capture the most important features. My idea is that my sculpture should convey more what you would see in a fleeting glimpse in the wild, rather than the details visible in a museum specimen.

Though this lizard carving is not very thick, I use various carving and painting techniques to suggest a much rounder figure. It is a unique method, like a three dimensional relief carving, which I have developed since I started in 1975.

HOW I WORK: Rather than using a power carver, I enjoy using knives and chisels to finish shaping the basswood. As well as being quiet and meditative, this gives crisper details.

After sanding the reptile smooth, I use an airbrush to paint the colors. Finally, 3 coats of water-based urethane are brushed on, and the sculpture is signed on the bottom.

wood, paint, ink, urethane finish

Usually, orders are sent the next business day by USPS first class, and I will email confirmation to you. It will arrive wrapped in tissue paper with a hand-painted border.