A second
generation owner of one of the oldest collie kennels in the USA,
owner/breeder of champion racing greyhounds and Arabian horses and writer
of animal books, Ron
brings years of knowledge, love and dedication to the making of his
figurines. He brings
first hand experience of the animals he molds and paints and loves. At the age of
five Ron
Hevener bought his first "dog", a tiny Boxer figurine he fell in love
with. It was the beginning of a love affair with art and spending many hours
sculpting things out of mud or wire and learning to paint.
Ron has gone from selling his figurines in local farmers' markets in
his youth, to owning and selling from his own gallery and having many
distributors. Ron Hevener still creates every piece as if it
were his first and has become well known in the collectibles trade throughout
the world. His pieces
are treasured by everyone who owns them.
After a design is completed, a latex mold is formed over the original sculpture
layer by layer. Then a plastic "mother mold" is made over that to keep
the latex mold in place during the pouring. When the mold is sufficiently cured,
usually in about two weeks, the first casting is poured and everyone "holds
their breath" waiting to see how it comes out.
After the castings are poured, hardened and removed from their molds, they are
trimmed, filled and smoothed. They are set aside to dry for about a week. Next,
the castings are lightly sanded to remove any remaining imperfections and
brushed to remove dust.
The castings are now ready to be painted. They are base coated, then air brushed
with colors and patterns, each one slightly different. Some are custom painted
from photographs to match a specific pet. The finish touches are then done with
a brush to create the masterpiece.
They are then glazed with multiple coats of clear lacquer and allowed to cure
for about a week. With proper care the figurines will last for many years and
have earned the name - Hevener.
Harrisburg
Shetland Sheepdog Club is very happy
to offer Ron's "Blue Ribbon"
and "Classic" Figurine Collections as
one of its fund raisers.
Ron Hevener's "Blue
Ribbon Collection" is his newest sheltie collection. The figures
are smaller than previous ones and priced so everyone can have a
lovely work of art in the breed of his choice. The "Blue Ribbon
Collection" still contains the same careful detail and precision
work of his other pieces.
By Clicking on Either of the
Shelties Below, you will be
taken to the Collection associated with it.
