Rooted in Tomorrow was commissioned by Land O’Lakes for their Century celebration
Installed at their headquarters in Arden Hills, MN, Rooted in Tomorrow is an image of a Land O’Lakes member (co-op farmer) and grandchild “walking the farm.” Deb grew up on a farm and her father was a former Land O’Lakes dairy farmer. The farmer is modeled after her father and the granddaughter is modeled after her nieces and neighbor girl. Deb utilized Casting Creations of Minnesota for the fabrication of the sculpture.
Learn about the story behind the creation in this VIDEO.
Unveiling at Land O'Lake Headquarters August 4, 2021
Co-Op Farmer and Granddaughter
Symbolizing the cooperative's century of innovation and relationships
Making of Rooted in Tomorrow
The original first concept drawing
Drawing detail of how the granddaughter will grasp the grandfather's little finger.
Drawing of the granddaughter's wells.
Drawings to achieve correct proportions on the figures.
Creating the wire armatures for the maquette using the proportion drawings.
Armature for the small maquette version
Working the clay on the small maquette version.
Completed maquette in clay, as approved by Land O'Lakes
Wax pieces of the maquette to be cast in bronze.
Small sculpture made before larger final one
Armature for the granddaughter made out of styrofoam.
Assembling the armature for the grandfather.
Sculpting the life size grandfather head in clay.
Assembling the clay head to the body.
Working detail in clay.
Many hours of clay detail on both figures.
Many hours of clay detail work.
Arms were created separately and assembled later.
Getting all the details correct. Even the tread on the wellies is important.
The little hands were created separately before assembling.
My niece providing model assistance.
Assembling all the pieces in clay for the first time.
It's a success when the large sculpture looks just like the small maquette version.
Clay detail
Ready to go to the foundry.
The foundry disassembles and transports.
Rubber and plastic mother molds at the foundry.
Clay, mold, wax
Clay, mold, wax
2000 degree bronze just poured in one of the shell pieces.
Dipping wax parts in the shell room at the foundry.
Parts hanging in the shell room at the foundry.
Clay, mold, wax
Freshly sandblasted at the foundry.
Starting the patina at the foundry.
Hot torch and chemical patina process.
Stopping the patina reaction with a water bath.
The patina is just completed.
Bronze detail
Bronze detail
Bronze detail
Bronze detail
Patina complete and ready to deliver to Land O'Lakes.
Installation day at Land O'Lakes.
Checking the orientation before bolting the sculpture to the foundation.
Yes, this orientation is good.
The big crane lifts the sculpture into place at Land O'Lakes.
Photo Credit: KGK Photography, Kenton Knutson
