Concrete Dragons: Mythical Beasts Set in Stone

by Angela Sanford

There’s lots to see along the Cobequid Bay, on Highway 215, but one of the more memorable sights is not one that is listed in any tourist brochures; perhaps it is not even known to many locals, but if you have travelled from Noel to Walton over the past three years , you undoubtedly did a double take the first time you saw Kathy Clark’s broad winged dragon sculpture.

    Personally, I was enthralled with the progress of her installation of the dragon and just when I thought her work to be complete, she was crafting a new piece just beyond the dragon in her front garden. The property that Kathy and her partner, Stephen McLellan, own is an eye catching one, and was prior to any dragons, but their front yard is certain to draw attention as her dragon brings to life the fictional images we have all seen in film and books. 

Where did it begin?

    In 2020, on a tour of Cosby’s Concrete Creations, in Liverpool, Kathy was smitten with having an original Ivan Higgins’ piece for her own. Unfortunately, the reality hit that owning her very own eclectic dragon was not a financial possibility. Kathy’s partner, Stephen, who’s well versed in the concrete world, suggested that she bring her own imagination to life.

    With his ability to advise on the concrete and stains, while also being a welder, and Kathy’s solid grasp on the art and engineering, the project began and those of us who drove by anxiously awaited the addition of the pieces culminating in the final dragon, as envisioned by Kathy.

    The fulfillment of her vision brought new learning opportunities to Kathy yet, no one passing by would ever consider that the completed dragon was her first encounter with concrete. This summer past, saw the beginning of a second installation, a castle that will become an above ground pond and the dragon on its turret a fountain.

Challenges

    Aside from the learning curve of working with a new medium, specifically the concrete stain process, the greater challenge for Kathy was Mother Nature; limited to working on her sculpture only when the weather cooperated.  In all, Kathy notes that working with concrete has been relatively easy, as long as one’s plans are “set in stone” because “once it’s set it stays,” states Kathy.

What’s next?

    Kathy’s love of fictional dragons inspired her art installations, and of all the mediums she has practiced she’s found her favourite to be concrete. Kathy’s immediate goal is to complete the castle before the month’s end, though she acknowledges that she doesn’t “have an end in mind until it’s done.” So, those of us passing by can relish the anticipation of what’s yet to come.