How does a beautiful idea become a stunning sculpture? In stages. Working in her studio in Pietrasanta, Italy, sculptor María Gamundí first created a small plaster model of Selene, which traveled to Newport News, Virginia, to show the community what will be coming to a lovely spot in the city. Here, she takes the next step, using the plaster model for reference as she makes a one-meter tall version in clay over a metal frame. She explains that this interim step is necessary — that she can’t simply enlarge the small model verbatim to create the two-meter high final, marble version – because as a piece becomes larger the perspective changes and adjustments may need to be made to their relative size and relationship to maintain the harmony of the whole. María is documenting the process of creating Selene, so watch for updates.