Freehand Sculptures
The following are examples of some of the natural history sculptures created over the years by Gary Hoyle for museums and individuals.
Turtles
The turtle sculptures have a carved polystyrene core. The core of the shell is overlaid with a layer of epoxy-clay, which is shaped, allowed to set, then sanded. The scutes [growth plates on the surface of the shell] are drawn on this sanded surface, creating a "map" for sculpting scutes individually. The head and neck, limbs and tail are sculpted separately. The eyes are also made separately. After all parts are painted, they are joined with epoxy-clay then the joints are colored to match the rest of the turtle. The above is an alert male wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta) in its brilliant breeding colors.
Mr. Hoyle developed a process of creating artificial ice, which he has used both in museum exhibit work and as a fine arts medium. This example is a 36" by 22" by 5" wall hanging.
The "Rock" was created with mixed media - life mask molding, wire mesh, kalkote base plaster, real treated lichens and glass eyes.