Cartoon Bust — Company Founder, Chicago, Illinois

A company in Chicago wanted to mark a founder who had retired after thirty years. The default was a bronze bust and the leadership team hated it. Somebody suggested a cartoon, half as a joke, and the room agreed immediately.

What they asked for

A large cartoon caricature bust — an oversized head, a big grin, simplified sculpted features — at roughly 1.6 m including the plinth, for the lobby. Still plainly the man, or the piece fails.

Building it at full size

Built over a steel armature at 1.6 m with the head sculpted at roughly twice natural proportion. We exaggerate proportion, not identity, and we show you the 3D model before anything is built so you can pull the exaggeration back or push it further.

The finish

Gloss-painted fibreglass in natural tones with a grey suit, hand-painted detail, UV clear coat. Bright, flat cartoon colours rather than a metallic finish.

Installation

Mounted on a stone plinth in the lobby, bolted to the floor. The head sits well above eye level, which is what makes it read as a piece rather than an object on a stand.

What it cost

1.5–2.0 m fibreglass surveys at $1,500–$4,900. This commission came in at $4,200 delivered, eight weeks from 3D approval.