By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

In his Scottsdale studio, Bill Goren of Gullwing Lifecasting creates three-dimensional replicas of living body parts that capture the finest details of the human form.

His work will be on display along with dozens of other artists at the upcoming “Rejuvenate and Celebrate” show Friday, July 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek

Using a wide variety of materials from bronze and glass to secret formulations of plasters and silica sand, it took 48 years for Goren (who goes by Gullwing) to stumble upon his artistic passion, particularly because his early life had little to do with art.

Growing up in Bisbee, Ariz., Gullwing’s formal education was in mechanical engineering. He spent his career working in the electric power and aerospace industries.

On a short weekend trip to Sedona with his wife, who is a glass artist, Gullwing visited several art galleries that showcased the work of talented sculptors.

“Up until then, I was just purely a science and technical type guy. I didn’t really have an overwhelming appreciation for art,” Gullwing said.

When he saw the craftsmanship of the sculptors, Gullwing thought as many do when they happen upon an inspirational piece of art: “I said, ‘Gosh, that’s wonderful stuff. I would love to be able to do it,’” he said. “My wife looked at me and said three words: ‘Go for it.’”

Gullwing began taking classes from local sculptors, reading books and creating metal sculptures on the weekends. He soon learned about lifecasting; creating sculpture portraits and figures by building a mold on a living person.

“There’s a lot of technical knowledge that you need to do metal sculpture,” Gullwing said, who is now part owner of The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek. “Your right brain has to be able to appreciate the aesthetics and the balance of what you’re trying to produce…your left brain needs to know a lot about structure, the strength of materials and if you’re doing your own coloring, you have to know about chemistry.”

Lifecasting process

Gullwing creates his lifecasts using a secret formula he calls “blue stuff” that coats his model’s face or body, capturing intricate details of the skin like texture and pores. Using plaster bandages to hold the mold in place and remove it from the model, casting material is poured into the negative mold to create a positive cast, forming a durable replica of the model’s face, hand or body.

Using the permanent mold, Gullwing can create sculptures in any variety of mediums including bronze, lost-wax metal, fiberglass, stretched leather and even uses his wife’s kiln to make glass lifecasts.

As a sculptor, Gullwing says the human body is a subject that never ceases to delight and intrigue him. On his website, Gullwing shares a quote from one Diana Stürm: “A man gives many question marks, however, a woman is a whole mystery.”

“I love my wife, but I still haven’t figured out what makes her tick. That’s just a great mystery of life,” Gullwing said. “I also haven’t figured out how she’s put up with me for 49 years.”

The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek welcomes the community to its "Art Affaire & Ice Cream Social" on Friday, Aug. 16, from 5 to 7 p.m.

To see more of Gullwing’s work or to inquire about commissioned sculptures and modeling opportunities, visit his Facebook and Instagram pages @gullwinglifecasting.

The Finer Arts Gallery is located in the historic “Treehouse” building at 6137 E. Cave Creek Rd.

For details, call 480-488-2923 or visit thefinerartsgallery.com.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Cyrus Guccione can be reached at cguccione@iniusa.org.