What material do I use to put a "skin" on outdoor wire sculpture?

Rather than cover the frames I would try growing some type of vine/shrub and keep it trimmed. I am sure you will get better suggestions though...

Diane, Let your imagination be your guide: realistic? folksy? odds&ends type of quilt style? whimsical? sending a message? Whatever it is I suggest you use PAVERPOL to treat the fabric you decide to use. NOrmally I would not suggest a particular product without giving you at least one other option to choose from, but there really is nothing better on the market that you can use and it IS waterproof. Below is a link about it . Beautiful work, by the way! Thank you so much for asking Homtalk for a solution. I'm honored to be of help any way I can (I love artwork and the artists who create it. I have a few serious ones in my family). Good Luck and keep creating! :)

You can use mortor.

by the way, Diane, IF you choose to try Paverpol, do NOT EVER pour it down your drain ... "... IMPORTANT: DO NOT pour Paverpol down your drain – keep a bucket of water at your workstation and rinse hands and brushes frequently. While Paverpol is water-based and non-toxic, it is made to cure rock-hard, and you don’t want it stuck in your plumbing. Periodically clean the bucket; let the material in the water settled, pour off the water into flower garden, etc. The solids that have collected at the bottom of the bucket can be disposed of in any trash receptacle. ..." :

Hello Diane; These sculpture's are absolutely wild!!! I Love them!!

There are several different things that you could use for them.

Boxwoods would be so nice, (Like at Disney) But, I do not think they would survive in the snow!!!

On that note, plastic boxwoods might just be the ticket. They are a new item, and are quite popular in decorating.

You could also consider covering them with a light coating of concrete.

Heavy duty Fabrics might work well.

Is there any kind of opening under the animals??

I hope that this helps you decide how to care for your Lovely Animals!!!

Take Care!

your location was not revealed.plants would be awesome,however if weather is a issue weave outdoor lights in your sculptures for all year interest to light up your landscape

i would talk to a local garden shop and see what type of plants world work well on them for your area. If you are into decorating outside for Christmas, put lights on them and incorporate them into your display

How about gardening moss or succulents. Good luck

Love it. We did these a 100 years ago when I was in art school. You can use plaster cloth, burlap and plaster, or paper mache.

Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeRRhp_kzPo

Making paper clay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z-vp5hjDHU

what about painting them so they show up more then as someone else mentioned use lights to make them really pop. The paint would also protect the sculptures from the weather.

Hello Diane; How Wonderful!! You are indeed so lucky to have these!!

I bet that the Morning glories are Lovely on the horse! Perhaps, you could add more morning glories to it, to fill it in?

You could always do a test on one, using a light amount of concrete, and see how it does turn out.

I was also going to mention to you that one of them might look really nice covered. By this I was thinking about using thin muslin cut into small strips, and using a heavy amount of glue placing the strips all over the figure. After this has dried, you could add paint.

It would not be water proof, and you would have to use a heavy duty clear coat.

What about taking one of them to say Ace Hardware or Home Depot, and see what those Folks recommend, as they might know of something else that would work better, for outdoor usage?

No matter what you are so Lucky to have them!!! I hope that this helps you!!

Take Care!