Turning Paper into Bronze Allen and Patty Eckman have developed a revolutionary process that allows the artists to turn their museum quality paper creations into bronze, while retaining the archival paper (in its original state). This process is only available through Eckman Fine Art. No other artists or foundry in the world knows how to do it. There are numerous benefits to creating bronzes with this new Eckman Method.

Archiving the Original Unlike clay, after the original museum quality cast paper sculpture is molded, the original immerges from the process unharmed. After being properly cleaned, it is completely archival and ready for display. So, if a commission is done this way, there are two pieces; the paper original and the bronze. The paper original is actually more like wood and leather than paper. It is very strong and quite durable.

A Lightweight yet Strong Original Unlike clay, the original museum quality cast paper sculpture is lightweight yet strong, affording many benefits to the mold maker and commissioner alike. Life-size monuments weigh about 40-50 lbs., and are easily transported without forklifts and numerous individuals. The piece can easily be laid down for molding (disassembly if necessary).

Uncompromising Detail Original, museum quality cast paper sculpture can deliver a much higher level of detail than clay. The Eckmans are known for their detail, and their method adapts beautifully to bronzes featuring detail and textures (simply not possible in clay). The process allows for more undercuts that can be molded in place or easily extracted from the original, for molding separately. Many artists have trouble with high detail items like rifles, buttons, insignias, etc. So, they mold real or artificially made items. This is a compromise in clay sculpture that may or may not show up in the finished bronze. The Eckmans sculpt the detail into the original work; making theirs a pure fine art medium without compromise.

Editions in Bronze and Paper After the Eckmans create the original sculpture in paper (to be molded), the sculpture is sealed. The mold is taken and the original is archived. Now, the mold can be used for limited editions in bronze, as well as paper. The paper editions will have much more “flying” detail than the bronze, such as individual strands of hair. But the paper editions will be less-costly because there of no foundry charge. These special limited edition pieces are creations of Allen Eckman. They have never been attempted by any other artist. The detail is stunning! There are limited editions (25 each) in bronze and paper. The “Taking the Bull with the Bow” piece in paper can also be done as a relief. If freestanding or relief, there will only be 25. Bronze editions are presented on a walnut base (unless otherwise specified).

This photo is of the bronze when the infinity pool was filled with water overlooking Table Rock Lake.

The original paper sculpture (left) was created after James Earle Fraser’s plaster piece called “End of the Trail” in 1915. The photo on the left was taken in the summer of 2015 at the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo. after the installation of the original paper sculpture created by Allen and Patty Eckman. It was commissioned by Johnny Morris, owner of the Bass Pro Shops, Big Ceder Lodge and Top of the Rock in southern Missouri just south of Branson. The photo below is of the bronze created by molds taken from the original paper piece. The bronze “End of the Trail” piece was installed in November of 2015 at Top of the Rock. Allen and Patty are in both photos. Both sculptures measure 20′ high and are two and one third life-size.