Weston sculptor shares his techniques
WESTON’S AWARD- WINNING SCULPTOR JESSE NUSBAUM SHARES HIS ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES
Weston sculptor Jesse Nusbaum has had a passion for art for as long as he can remember, and he’s been able to take that passion to big heights.
“I used to draw and paint and make sculptures when I was as young as 4,” he said. “My interest in art came naturally to me. I remember being very young and observing my classmates’ artwork and realizing, even at an early age, for whatever reason, it came a lot easier to me. My life as an artist started out with me just having a lot of fun.”
When he was a junior at Weston High School, Nusbaum won the Best Sculptor Award and won it again in his senior year.
“It was then that I realized sculpting was my strongest medium,” he said. “I played varsity baseball at Muhlenberg College
( in Allentown, Pa.), which has its own art gallery, the Martin Art Gallery. My art was displayed there, and I was surprised at the favorable responses I received from professors and classmates.”
Originally a political science major, Nusbaum planned on going to law school and joining his dad’s law practice in Westport. Although he attended law school for several months, he decided to pursue his passion for sculpting.
“Within several months of leaving law school, I was invited to attend Art Basel in Miami and realized that when I viewed the work of other artists, I recognized I had the talent to try and make a career in sculpting,” he said.
In 2013, he opened up his studio in Weston in a converted barn with a gallery, where he conducts private lessons for adults. He also teaches drawing, painting and sculpting to students in Fairfield County and mentors and assists other artists in navigating the business world of fine arts. In 2015, Nusbaum presented two Husky sculptures, which are on display at the University of Connecticut men’s and women’s basketball trophy cases in recognition of their national championships.
“As time went on, I began to receive recognition and awards from numerous art shows and magazines,” Nusbaum said. “Between 2015 and 2020, I was invited to exhibit my sculptures at Art Basel in Miami. In 2018, the art gallery won two prestigious awards at the exclusive Red Dot Art Basel venue, including “Spotlight Award” ( Top Five Galleries at Red Dot), as well as the “Best New Exhibitor.”
In 2019, Nusbaum was published in the art book “100 Artists of the Future” by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, as well as World Wide Art Books’ “Important Artists of the Future,” and in “International Contemporary Masters.”
In 2020, the 31- year- old sculptor won the Artist of the Future Award from Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, which honors the most talented artists who will most likely shape the future of the art world and showcases the distinct voices of a new generation of artists.
“I must say I was surprised, considering I was chosen from among 10,000 artists from around the world,” Nusbaum said. “It is this kind of validation that keeps me focused on my career as a sculptor and encourages me to stay the course.”
Other accolades include being inducted as one of the youngest members of New Canaan’s Silvermine Guild of Artists and serving as a juried member of the Carriage Barn Art Center in New Canaan and the Greenwich Art Society in Greenwich among others.
Nusbaum characterizes his style as “very detailed, precise and realistic.”
“Utilizing micro- detail in my sculptures encourages an intimate, close- up view,” he said. “My subjects are always animals.
I attempt to replicate the actual subject as it is seen in nature. I study the different anatomy, movements, poses, structure and musculature of my subjects very intently. I find a simple manipulation of an animal’s facial expression, such as angling an eyebrow, can completely change the mood of the piece.”
During the years he has been sculpting, Nusbaum has learned through trial and error, new techniques, using and inventing different tools and experimenting with various types of clay.
“Art is an evolving craft and adjustments must be made to keep up with the craft,” he said. “Therefore, my style and execution must be intricately planned and well thought- out. My sculptures begin with a three- dimensional vision, an internal blueprint that stays with me throughout the entire process. Although my hands are the tools to make a sculpture, 90 percent of the work comes from my mind. Once the sculpture mirrors my initial vision, I know I am successful in my mission.”
Using his hands to create lets him feel closer to his subject, so the project becomes more intimate and personal.
“I sculpt in clay initially, without using machines or heavy equipment,” Nusbaum said. “Every line and detail are sculpted and carved with intent and purpose. Each piece of the puzzle must fit flawlessly.”
His process begins by creating a master mold after the clay piece is finished, bringing the mold to a foundry, where it is cast in 100 percent hot cast molten bronze.
“The final 10 steps are completed at the foundry and are very time consuming in order to obtain my desired finish,” Nusbaum said. “The last step is the patina process. By using certain chemicals and application of heavy flames, I am able to age the bronze color into a darker tone, giving it a more realistic and regal feel. Once this final stage is complete, these sculptures come to life.”
His future goals are to continue with his art and grow awareness for his brand, selling more of his sculptures.
“While I have learned a lot over these years and have accomplished many of my goals, there is always more to learn and contribute to the art world,” Nusbaum said. “I want my artwork to continue to find new homes all over the world.”
“EVERY LINE AND DETAIL ARE SCULPTED AND CARVED WITH INTENT AND PURPOSE. EACH PIECE OF THE PUZZLE MUST FIT FLAWLESSLY.”