Reading with Friends
Sculpture
Michael Tizzano
Tizzano Sculpture, LLC
Limited Edition of 8
Commissioned by The Friends Foundation of the Worthington Libraries, in Worthington, Ohio, the bronze sculpture is based upon three animal storybook-type characters – part of the library’s children’s’ summer reading program. Cast in bronze with a hand applied multi-colored patina, this masterpiece, Reading with Friends, measures 6 ½ feet in length and 52 inches in height.
Individuals and organizations can order a bronze casting of this limited edition of 8 sculpture by contacting:
Tizzano Sculpture, LLCEmail: mtizzano@wideopenwest.com
Mobile: 614-448-7627
This sculpture, Reading with Friends, created by Michael Tizzano, Tizzano Sculpture, LLC and commissioned by the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries and Worthington Libraries functions as a park bench for toddlers and youth. Catering to the hearts of children, it lends itself to both indoor and outdoor settings -- a children's library, school, hospital, or recreational park
The viewer of this piece sees resting, on a fallen tree, animal characters engrossed in reading. Asparagus, the fox, and Ricky, the raccoon, are enjoying the Beatrix Potter book, entitled "Jemima Puddle Duck." Winston the owl, with an air of superiority, scans his fine literature, "Of Mice and Men." His curiosity seems to get the best of him as he turns with a bit of envy wondering why the other two, Asparagus and Ricky, are entertained by their book. Another character is revealed. At the end of this great fallen tree, nestled, is Paige, a rather young chipmunk, appreciating her own good read. Spontaneity, curiosity, whimsical energy, love, and fun are captured in this storybook-like sculpture. Children naturally want to climb, sit and play with the characters while intrigued by the ventures of reading!
Reading with Friends was created and sculpted from start to finish at the Old Worthington Library in Worthington, Ohio.
Michael Tizzano masters the artistic details of this sculpture while interacting with library patrons of all ages. Children, with eyes wide open and curious faces, learn how clay made from a blend of earthen clay, wax and mineral oil can be transformed into a work of art that will remain in the community for many years to come.
The process of creating this sculpture required a ¼ scale maquette in the facilitation of the exact full-scale piece. Working with expanded polystyrene, or Styrofoam®, as a substructure for the large work of art, hacksaw blades, rasps, knives and files were used to capture the unique form of each of the three animals. The clay material adheres to the sculpture as perforations are burned into the surface of the Styrofoam®.
Once completed in clay, the sculpture was delivered to the New Arts Foundry in Baltimore, Maryland for mold-making and bronze casting.
For orders and information contact:
Mike Tizzano
Tizzano Sculpture, LLC
Email: mtizzano@wideopenwest.com
Mobile: 614-448-7627
