memorial – Austin Weishel | Bronze sculpture artist

March 4, 2020 by admin

Colorado War Dog Memorial

The Colorado War Dog Memorial is nearing completion! I love having clients stop by to see where I’m at in the process and to see what goes in to each step of creating their memorial.

When the dogs stopped by, I used them as a live model to add detail and realism to the sculptures. Creating the most accurate and beautiful sculptures I can is important to me and I strive to show respect and honor my subject matter.

This memorial will be set to be unveiled in June of 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

January 27, 2020 by admin

Aurora Fire Department Memorial Bench

On January 24th, 2020, I was lucky enough to be a part of opening Station 5 for Aurora Fire Department. During the grand opening, we also unveiled the new Memorial Bench that I completed.

This memorial bench pays tribute to the 343 firefighters who gave their lives on 9/11.

It was an overwhelming and humbling experience to reflect on the sacrifice of the first responders who lost their lives on that day. Hopefully, we can honor their legacies everyday through our work with our Fire Departments and in our communities.

May 7, 2019 by admin

Pensacola Military Memorial

The memorial for the Pensacola, Florida military monument, has reached its final bronzing. This will be installed late May, 2019.

This piece showcases two military apparatus; a UH-60 Helicopter and a Humvee. The helicopter is over 3 feet long, while the Humvee sits at 2.5 feet in length.

This memorial was designed to honor the ground and air war fought during the Desert Storm era. These vehicles will sit at the entrance to the memorial site, welcoming visitors and people honoring our Army and Military troops.

More updates coming soon as this sculpture reaches completion!

February 26, 2019 by admin

The Captain in Clay

The Captain is fully sculpted in clay! He will end up with the other firefighters I sculpted for the Nevada State Firefighter Memorial in Carson City, Nevada.

The Captain will head to mold making next, where a mold maker cuts the sculpture into pieces to make a mold of the figure. He will end up at the bronze phase in the next two weeks.

You can also see Firefighter #1 in pieces, ready to be welded together. This process can take anywhere from 5 to 80 hours of time. Texture and detail will be added back to the sculpture once he reaches the metal chasing stage.

I’m excited to be able to show all the firefighters in action, once this memorial is complete.

February 15, 2019 by admin

Memorial in Miller Park

To celebrate 150 years of service from the Bloomington Fire Department, I installed a “Tools of the Trade” sculpture in Miller Park. These installs are always special for me. I love to see the pride and honor of other individuals in the service that chose to make firefighting their lifelong career and passion. It’s also very humbling to see communities gather together to honor the men and women who sacrifice so much for their departments every day.

Please visit https://www.centralillinoisproud.com/news/local-news/bloomington-fire-department-unveils-memorial-in-miller-park/1522073075 to read more about their 150 year celebration and what the fire service means for their community.

December 28, 2018 by admin

NEVADA STATE FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL

I was honored to be able to create a memorial for the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada that pays tribute to past, present, and future Nevada State firefighters. This memorial will be dedicated in May, 2019 in Carson City in the Capital Complex.

Included in this memorial are 5 life-size working firefighters on a crew. Setting the scene is a nozzleman, focused and skillful in his control of the hose. Behind him is the crew Officer, a Captain keeping a close eye on the scene and maintaining his composure as two more firefighters, one male and one female, pull a downed firefighter to safety.

Every firefighter is unique and individual – from the folds of cloth on the pants to the stitching of the name on the bunker jacket, each crew member has their own personality and precise detail.

Having the opportunity to also be a firefighter myself, this is an important piece of work for me. I was able to draw on my own experiences as a member of a crew and the responsibility we each have to protect lives and property of our community, as well as each other during every call.