I had the opportunity to talk to Patrick Romandy-Simmons regarding his latest sculpture, "Snow White's Soup Scene", and thought I'd share it with you.

Q. How long did a sculpt of this size and complexity take to produce vs. single character releases?

   "This piece took approximately 6 weeks and was without a doubt one of the most complex sculpts I have ever had to create. For starters it had to be completely sculpted from top to bottom, underneath the table and chairs and basically all over. Because of this greatly detailed concept, I had to design a very elaborate armature. All the armatures for every character, including the table, had to be removable so I could fit them in around the table as well as sculpt them individually and underneath. I had to devise a complete set of interlocking armatures that fit into their designated slots within the wooden base that I used to sculpt the piece on. The creation of the armature as well as the sculpture itself was all in all an extremely detailed project but one that I felt was worth all the effort and I am proud of the end results."

Q. Was this subject harder than ones in the past, since most of the artwork from what I read, was still in the pencil sketch form when Walt had it removed from the film and put in the vault?

   "Actually it wasn't a problem for me since I usually get a black and white sketch by Dave Pacheco from the product development team depicting the design or exact moment WDCC wishes to create. In fact, whenever I create a sculpture for WDCC, I am given many reference drawings that are copied directly from original line drawings used in the making of the scene for whatever film it may be."

Q. Since this scene involved Ward Kimball, one of the surviving "Nine Old Men", where you able to consult with him?

   "Not this time."

Q. Where you able to add little "personal touches" or have to make any assumptions or was the pencil sketches detailed enough to create the piece?

   "For the surrounding environment, we did have to hunt down any table and chair reference wherever we could find it. Since the Dwarfs were only shown from the waist up, we did have to conceive of how their legs and feet would be positioned under the table. For instance, Grumpy with one pensive foot still on the floor not quite ready to enjoy this wonderful meal before him, Dopey's feet kind of crossed and just hanging off the edge of the chair he is on, like a child might sit, Bashful's legs sort of twisted into a pigeon toed position mimicking the way he has twisted his beard above his head and so on. Also, I won't say exactly where, but collectors will have to look very close at their pieces because hidden within the wood grain of the Seven Dwarf's chairs are letters which spell out, in no particular order...

W - D - I - S - N - E - Y

   We wanted to do this not only as a challenging point of fun and interest for collectors, but also as a fond salute to the man responsible for creating this magical, classic film along with so many other masterpieces."

Q. You have sculpted some great characters within this past year alone(Cruella DeVil, Evil Queen, Willie the Giant and now Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) plus 1st's in two new series (Duos Series and now the SignatureSeries), any personal favorite character and/or scene you would love to beable to do in the future?

   "I have to say without hesitation that of all the sculptures I have done to date, the Bambi and Mother event piece "My Little Bambi" stands as the one I am most proud of. This was such a personally emotional and spiritual project for me not only because Bambi is my favorite Disney film but also because it was the last film my Grandfather worked on before he passed away in 1942. I can't really describe it, but I did felt a very strong sense of his presence near me while I worked on it and frequently played the Bambi soundtrack for inspiration while I completed the project. As some collectors may or may not know, my Grandfather was the First StringViolinist for the Walt Disney Studio Orchestra from 1929 until 1942, so I'd like to think that in some strange way playing the music from the film allowed him to be right there with me as I sculpted away. Hey, I know that might sound a little nutty, but I'm an artist and therefore prone to finding muses wherever they might be. As far as any characters or scenes that I would love to do in the future, I wouldn't want to hint at something and have it possibly become a rumor so I'll just say that I do truly enjoy every project I am privileged enough to undertake and will continue to approach my future pieces with the same excitement, enthusiasm and spark of Disney magic I try to bring to all my sculptures."

I would like to thank Patrick for taking the time discussing his latest project for the Walt Disney Classics Collection ... Thanks Patrick!