TIFTON — Handcrafted porcelain sheep representing breeds from around the world from Colin Richmond will greet visitors in an  exhibit titled “Colin’s Creatures: A World of Sheep,” beginning Sept. 8 in The Gallery at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village.

“Colin’s handcrafted creatures are made from a unique combination of materials including porcelain, castable stone and imported Steiff woven fur,” Museum Assistant Director and Curator Polly Huff said. “All these materials are chosen for their quality and ability to imitate the characteristics of each animal. From developing and making his own porcelain to hand-forming every mold, all of Colin’s creatures are labor intensive – but it’s a true labor of love.”

A dozen years in the corporate world, an MBA, and a brief stint in consulting were enough to drive the Asheville, N.C.-based Richmond into the life of an entrepreneur.   Six years after starting his business in 1985 and after three fabric related product lines, he had an idea for a collection of moiré fabric angels, although he knew nothing of porcelain or carving.

“Colin grew up in a creative family where everyone assumed you could do anything until you proved otherwise,” Huff said.  “He just dived in and later began designing and carving animals.  Twenty-seven years later, Colin’s creatures are in private collections across the country, and internationally.”

Huff said each of Richmond’s figures begins with thorough research of the breed, resulting in frequent travels across the globe to visit heritage farms, attend agricultural shows, and meet with breeders dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of ancient breeds of livestock.

“Once he has an understanding of an animal and its specific traits and personality, the first step of the artistic process is to carve the heads, legs, horns and other parts that will eventually be cast in porcelain,” Huff said.  “Porcelain is used for its detail and its ability to capture the expressive nature of these wooly creatures.”

The next step is to create the body out of hydrostone, which Richmond uses for its stability and great weight in the hand.  A five and one-half inch sheep weighs one pound.  When the creature is formed, it is finished with high-quality imported Steiff woven fur.  The result is a life-like animal with personality and charm.  Richmond chooses to design his sheep with this mixture of materials because they are more visually pleasing than a solid porcelain creature.

“Colin’s fascination with sheep began in late 1991 when he read a blurb in a magazine about some antique German sheep figures that were mixed medium as were his moire fabric angels,” Huff said.  “His knowledge of sheep at that time was limited to what he’d absorbed from the James Herriot series of books and programs.

“He began his research with breeders’ associations and later expanded to visiting farms and attending sheep shows in the U.S. and the U.K.  Colin continues to add new breeds and positions with great pleasure, but thanks to new sources of fur and new production techniques, he will be straying creatively further and further afield from the sheep.”

Richmond’s current collection includes cattle, dogs, llamas, nativities, and more.  It can be viewed and purchased at www.colinscreatures.com

“Colin’s Creatures: A World of Sheep” opens to Museum visitors on Sept. 8 and will remain open until Dec. 13. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. All of the pieces in the exhibition will be available for sale. The exhibit is included in the daily GMA admission and free with a valid GMA Season Pass.

For more questions about this or other GMA exhibits, interested persons can contact Huff at phuff@abac.edu.