Commission consultation
Studio or site conversation about scale, material, budget and where the piece will live.
Casting in Santa Fe since 2004
A piece made for one specific place
Commissioned bronze and carved stone, from a maquette you approve through casting, patina and installation. You see every stage before it is permanent.
21 yrsin the studio
160+commissions completed
14public installations
Commission work
Maquette, cast, patina, install
Every commission runs in approved stages, and you can stop after the maquette if the direction is not right.
Maquette and design stage
A scale clay or plaster model for your approval before any casting is committed to.
Portrait bust in bronze
Life size portrait modeled from sittings or photographs, cast in bronze with a chosen patina.
Garden and figurative sculpture
Bronze or carved stone pieces sized for a courtyard, garden or entry, with base and mount.
Public and civic installations
Large scale work including engineering, anchoring, insurance and coordination with the site.
Restoration and repatination
Cleaning, wax renewal and repatination of existing bronze, plus structural repair of damaged work.
The studio
Modeled here, cast down the road
Kilnstone has worked out of the Second Street district since 2004, modeling in clay and carving limestone and alabaster in the studio, then casting through a Santa Fe foundry we have used for two decades. That proximity means we can stand at the pour and control the patina rather than approving a photograph from three states away.
•Modeling, carving and patina work done in our own studio
•Casting at a local foundry we supervise directly
•Staged approvals so nothing is cast before you sign off
Reviews
From collectors and committees
“The maquette stage saved us. We changed the pose completely and it cost nothing but time.”
Harriet V., Private collector
“They handled engineering, anchoring and the city sign off for our plaza piece. Our committee did none of it.”
Roland F., Arts commission chair
FAQ
Commissioning a sculpture
How long does a commission take?
A portrait bust runs about five to seven months from first sitting to installed bronze. Larger figurative and public work commonly takes twelve to eighteen months, because foundry scheduling, engineering and site approvals all sit on the critical path.
How does payment work?
In stages. A deposit covers the maquette, a second payment releases casting, and the balance is due before installation. If you decide not to proceed after seeing the maquette, you owe nothing further and we keep the model.
Bronze or stone?
Bronze handles freeze and thaw, weighs less for its strength and can be repaired if damaged, so it suits outdoor and public work. Carved stone has a presence bronze cannot match but is heavier, more fragile at thin sections and cannot be undone if a cut goes wrong.
How do I care for an outdoor bronze?
Rinse it a few times a year and have the wax coating renewed roughly every 18 to 24 months, sooner in harsh sun or near irrigation spray. We offer that service and will show you how to do the rinsing yourself.
Contact
Come see work in progress
Book a studio visit and bring photos of the space. Scale decisions are much easier standing in front of clay.
Phone(862) 555-0162
Address1618 Second Street, Studio C, Santa Fe, NM 87505, Santa Fe, New Mexico
HoursStudio visits Tue to Sat 10am to 5pm, by appointment
AreaSanta Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, and commissions nationwide