I’ve long shied away from doing portrait sculptures. I know where my strengths lie and that’s definitely not my strong suit. I have done one award winning sculpture in the past - but that’s another story which varies greatly depending on who does the telling. I much prefer my version the best. This year the Vala family asked me to include Grampa Ernie on the Kettle Corn sign. They provided a few very old, faded, and not so good photos for reference. It took me quite some time to work up the courage to do this slightly cartoonized version. I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out so well. The sign will be located up one the roof of the Kettle Corn store so he’ll be looking down one those who pass by. Hopefully the resemblance is enough to please the family who remember him so fondly.