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For many years, as "Artist in Residence" for the New York State Parks Department, Durand became known locally, for his demonstration of the lost art of wood sculpture. Using native Basswood and an unlikely tool, the chainsaw, he produced sculptures unlike those of typical chainsaw carvers. To effect fine detail on the pieces, the artist employed mallet and chisel.
Carvings ranged in subject from American Eagles to Famous Persons, and many were done in a humorous form for which the artist coined the word "Funonial".
Original sculptures are usually created in clay, molds are made, and the pieces hand cast in the Durand Studio, or sent out to be cast at a bronze foundry. One of Durand's sculptures is a 6 1/2 foot [life-size] Sturgeon, which was commissioned bya museum, where it is now on display. This piece was cast in bronze at the Tallix Foundry.
Some of the work done in the past.....
Prototypes for Avon
Drafting & Mold making for a Display House for
many years
Dioramas for 3-D Photos by Xograph, formerly of
NYC
Ultraviolet Paintings for Information Centers
Bas-Reliefs of Public Figures for Presentation
Carving for the well-known Stickley Furniture Company
Restoration at the historic village of New Harmony,
Indiana
Carving of King Kamahameha displayed on Kauai, Hawaii
Medical Models of the various stages of Pre-Birth
Babies
Models of Fish and Wildlife for museums
Restoration at Boldt Castle on the St. Lawrence
River
Architectural Effects for the Schweinfurth &
Cayuga Museums
Full-Size Bronzes of Carmen Basilio & Billy
Backus, for the
International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY
Design & Creation of Mobile Display Units. The
most recent, a
Medieval Castle titled "Dragon's Feast", which is touring fairs.
A Medal for the Hamilton Mint in their "Sculptor's
America" Series.
Durand's Medal is titled: "Opening The West" . The
Mint referred to
Durand as "....one of America's finest sculptors."
Durand Sculpture is collected throughout the world, and being adept
in many mediums, handling diverse subjects and styles, the artist has been
referred to as "A Renaissance Man". His LOVE, however, is for the REALISTIC/CLASSICAL....and
his painting style is that of The Hudson River School of Art.
Some of Durand's newest sculptures...
NORMAN'S SADDLE - A cowboy carrying saddle and rifle
This Western Art Sculpture
is available in Bonded Bronze
For foundry bronze, it must
be specially ordered.
"Norman's Saddle"
is 1/2 life-size
MOUNTING CHEROKEE - A cowboy mounting spirited horse
This Western Art Sculpture
is planned for Foundry Bronze
"Mounting Cherokee"
is 1/2 life-size
The sculpture has considerable
action in both the cowboy and the horse. The artist used his own experience
in mounting one of the family's horses - CHEROKEE, a "cowboy trained" horse.
Some of the singular action of the their Missouri Fox Trotter, ZANE'S GOLDEN
EAGLE, can be seen in the piece as well.
HIGH MOUNT - A cowboy high over his horse.
This Western Art Sculpture
will be available for special order, in foundry bronze. "High
Mount" is 1/2 life-size, and has a sense of the wildness of the west
in the flow of the cowboy's body while mounting a spirited horse.
TEXAS LONGHORN - A Texas Longhorn heiffer.
"Texas Longhorn"
is 1/2 life-size, and has the body-type of the earlier cattle that roamed
the state. It is complimentary to the previous Western Sculptures
Durand has done.
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