When considering public artwork for our new building, we committed to the natural theme presented by the current wildlife sculptures at locations around The Woodlands. To achieve our vision, we selected Edd Hayes, who is well known for the huge “Wild and Free” monument at Reliant Stadium in Houston. As our building is situated beside a lake, Edd presented the concept of a group of great blue herons along the fountain in front of our building, and proposed creating those sculptures in stainless steel. Working with Edd throughout the project was a pleasure and the result is a truly magnificent display of fine art.
Boyd Burdett
Director, Real Estate
Anadarko Petroleum Corp
Magnolia Whitetails
Installation of the deer went well. After much discussion and lugging her around here and there, we settled the drinking deer on the north side of the stream (driveway side). Now, you can see her face and she looks so good you would think we planned it that way all along. Tim’s crew just finished the final mulching and finishing touches today. I will probably get a chance to get some pictures for you over the weekend.
My husband has been away on a business trip all week. He will come home after dark this evening and be greeted with those glowing deer eyes (amazing how that works!) I can not wait to hear his reaction.
Edd, I can not tell you how pleased I am with these deer. They are awesome. I never doubted that they would be great, but truly, my expectations are way surpassed. The intricate detail of the animals is such that personality emanates from each. By their posture and expression, you can almost see what they are thinking. Edd, you are a superb artist. I look forward to working with you on another project soon.
Susan
I stopped by the Texas Visitors center today outside of Gainesville, Texas to see the memorial that you sculpted to honor the 103rd. My Uncle, Robert B. Higbee is listed there because he was killed in France. Thank you for your contribution to the effort to honor the sacrifice of these youngsters that did so much for freedom and liberty. You did a wonderful job. As a Texan and a niece of one of the fallen, I am very proud of your work and appreciate it very much. Your work bestowed honor on their sacrifice.
Sharon Hunter
We found it a real pleasure working with you in your creation and naming of the feature attraction, the 1 1/2 life-size bronze, “A CALL TO DUTY”, to our first of its kind, Historical Monument honoring all WW II Veterans and documenting the history of the 103d INF DIV of WW II. Your bronze sculpture is WORLD CLASS. You have done us proud.
Melton “Mel” Wright, President
TEXAS WW II HISTORICAL MONUMENT FUND
May 2007
Edd Hayes is an extraordinarily gifted artist who has the unique ability to capture the essence of a subject. I have commissioned over 25 major artists for special projects, ranging from $30,000 to over $1 million dollars, and I can say with all sincerity that Edd bonds with his client, subject, mission and product more than anyone I’ve ever known. His love for detail, his insistence on authenticity, and his understanding of beauty are captured miraculously in his sculptures. Edd’s sculpture honoring the Texas A&M tradition of bonfire, Aggie Spirit, installed now in the most visited quarter of Bryan-College Station, Texas, evokes emotions that will never be tempered by time or distance. The youthful man standing upon logs with axe in hand and red pot on his head represents that eternal feeling in all Aggies that separates us from the rest of the world. The fact that Edd’s sculpture succeeds in recalling the past and moves us with such great hope for the future is a tribute to his understanding of his commission and our purpose. I am proud that we engaged Edd to create that sculpture, Aggie Spirit, for our community, and there are thousands of Aggies, from yesterday and today who love that sculpture, and always will.
Edd Hayes listened to our desires and needs. He worked with us on a fair price. He gave us a date for its completion, and then he delivered the work early – rare among artists! He is a gentleman in every sense of the word and it is without reservation that I recommend him to anyone considering a significant and moving work of art punctually delivered at a fair price.
David Romei, Ph.D. Executive Director (1998-2005)
Arts Council of Brazos Valley
David Romei Arts Center
College Station, Texas
Edd Hayes was a God send for me, after my wife of 18 years (Lisa) passed away, I wanted to do something special to memorialize her and what she meant to me and so many people. After discussing several ideas with a mutual friend and a fellow artist of Edd’s, I was determined to set an appointment and pay a visit to Edd’s studio to view his work and discuss his ideas. His work was awesome…all of it…paintings, bronzes you name it….
During the first meeting Edd was most interested in Lisa, what she liked, what she was like and how I wanted to remember her.
I told Edd I wanted something that would represent her faith in Jesus Christ, and depict a devotional she wrote related to a scripture that was published in one of our churches “40 Days of Prayer” book, the scripture was Matthew 28 :1-7, where “The Angel” appeared to Mary letting her know that Jesus had risen and that he would be back.
Edd was so inspired by the request, and the fact he had started several angel bronzes in the past but never brought them to completion, he saw this as his opportunity to fulfill my dream and his at the same time.
The first drawing and then the maquette were so inspiring, I could not wait to see the finished product and it was all well worth the wait. He created such a likeness of Lisa in the angel it was her to a tee, down to the sandals that she wore, the smile on her face and the twinkle in her eye.
Thanks Edd for the excellent job you did in memorializing Lisa for myself and all of our friends and family.
Peter A. Sanders