Enaj Project Detail

Take a look into Janet Higgins’ sculpture studio and learn more about her artistic process through the creation of “Enaj.”

Enaj, sculpture by Janet E Higgins
Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - First image

Enaj 1

I began the dancer, “Enaj,” by drawing her on my studio floor. Then I bent and welded four sides of each leg to establish an armature.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Second image

Enaj 2

Next, I randomly cut many pieces with a plasma cutter. These will be attached to the armature so she begins to take shape.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Third image

Enaj 3

The thigh and lower leg begin to develop as I try to weld pieces on so that the armature doesn’t show.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Fourth image

Enaj 4

I cut the toes from solid round stock. Then I can add welded wire and grind them down to get the right shape.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Fifth image

Enaj 5

The toes are getting there.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Sixth image

Enaj 6

And now the toes are attached.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Seventh image

Enaj 7

Here Enaj is up in her stand, which makes it much easier to see and work with.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Eighth image

Enaj 8

Her head is coming along in this shot. If you look closely, you can see that I just used washers for her irises. Sneaky.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Nineth image

Enaj 9

Now I can get her upper body going. She will have a “door” in her back so I can place a solar light there later.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Tenth image

Enaj 10

I created Enaj’s fingers by bending 18 gauge steel to form the upper and lower part of each finger. Lots of welding and hole repair went into these.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Eleventh image

Enaj 11

Enaj’s head on a winter day in the studio.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Twelfth image

Enaj 12

Now she has lots of hair!

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Thirteenth image

Enaj 13

Here, Enaj is all put together. This picture was taken at the welding shop at Rogue Community College in Grants Pass.

Enaj Project Story of the creation of a life-size sculpture by Janet E Higgins - Fourteenth image

Enaj 14

And finally, Enaj is powder-coated and installed. One of the cool features of this sculpture is that she can be turned in her stand in order to enjoy her from different angles.

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