Summer 2005

St. Joseph in Stone

We are wrapping up the carver's model of St. Joseph and shipping him off to Italy in the next few months. There, he will be carved by a team of Italian carvers in Pietrasanta. This has been a lengthy and difficult project, but seeing it come closer and closer to fruition is tremendously rewarding!Meanwhile, the Virgin Mary is in the process of being completed at the stone-carver's studio and we hope to have an installation date this fall. These two sculptures have been a huge undertaking for this young artist. All of the bumps and bruises along the way have been tremendous learning experiences. Sarah hopes that her client will feel that the wait was well worth it and enjoy these two marble sculptures for many years to come!

Wedding Bells

October 8th, 2005 with be a big day for Sarah Hempel. It will be on this day she marries her beloved Erik Irani! The couple got engaged last year at the National Gallery of Art, when Erik got down on one knee in front of a sculpture fountain. You can read more about their plans, how they met and how he proposed at their wedsite: www.erikandsarah.us!The two will honeymoon at a top secret location and then fly to Michigan for a reception there with friends and family before returning home to Maryland and resume work on the 31st of October.

Studio Sabbatical

In the next few months, the soon-to-be Mrs. Irani is taking a short sabbatical from large-scale commissioned work (unless of course she is given an offer she can't refuse!) She plans to resume work after the New Year. She has many other irons in the fire as well: she plans to finish up her Master's of Arts degree as well as working on her first publication. Sarah is changing her name to Sarah Hempel Irani, but you can still find her here at www.HempelStudios.com!