Sculpture · Tustin & New York
BellyCasting
A cast is taken directly from your body, so the finished piece holds the exact shape you carried — the curve, the width, the line of your ribs at that specific week. Our belly artists walk you through every step, from the first wrapped layer to the finish you choose. What you take home is a sculpture, not a print.
Hand painted finish — studio commission
How it works
Four steps, start to shelf
The casting itself happens in one sitting. Everything after that happens here in the studio while you go home and wait.
The sitting
You stand or sit while we drape and protect everything around the area being cast. Plaster strips go on in warm layers — chest to hips, belly only, or hips included. You tell us where the piece begins and ends.
The set
The shell warms as it hardens, then lifts away cleanly in about 30 minutes. Most people find this part easier than they expected. You are done and dressed inside an hour and a half.
Cure and smooth
We cure the shell, reinforce the inside, trim the edge, and sand the surface until the plaster reads smooth. This is the quiet part of the work and it takes about two weeks.
The finish
Plain, stone-set, or hand painted — your choice, made before you leave. We seal the finished piece, add a wall hanger if you want one, and text you when it is ready.
Three finishes
Choose how it comes home
Every cast starts the same way. What changes is the surface — and how much of the artist's hand ends up on it.
Plain cast
The shape on its own. Smoothed, sealed, matte white plaster — the sculpture in its plainest form.
$75Flat
- Cured, trimmed, sanded smooth
- Matte sealer, ready to hang or stand
- About two weeks
Stone embellished
Set stones along the edge, across the belly, or clustered wherever you want the light to catch. We show you the trays and you pick.
$150Flat
- Everything in the plain cast
- Hand-set stones, crystals, or fine glass
- Clear, pearl, or tinted stone options
Hand painted
A full painted design, worked by hand on the cured shell. Florals, script lettering, team colors, a jersey front, metallic leaf — bring us a reference or an idea and we sketch it first.
$150–250By design
- Everything in the plain cast
- Design sketched and approved before paint
- Stones can be added into the design
- Allow three to four weeks
Painted pricing lands where it lands based on the design. Simple lettering or a single motif sits at the low end; full coverage, layered detail, or metallic work sits at the top. We quote you before any paint goes on.
What it's for
A prop, a sculpture, or both
The cast has a second life once the baby arrives. Most families use it twice.
Bring it back for the newborn shoot
We line the cast, warm it, and photograph the baby resting inside the shape they grew in. It is one of the few props in the studio that belongs only to your family — nobody else's baby will ever be photographed in it. Tell us at booking and we will build the setup into your session.
Then hang it or stand it
After the session the piece goes home for good. It hangs on a wall like sculpture, stands on a shelf or console, or sits on a stand in a nursery corner. We add the hardware before pickup so it is ready to go up the day you get it.
From the studio
Recent casts
Before you come in
The practical part
When to book
Between 32 and 38 weeks. Earlier than 32 and the shape is still changing quickly; much past 38 and we are cutting it close.
What to wear
Come in something you can change out of easily and bring a hair tie. We provide draping, and you decide how much is covered.
How long it takes
Plan on 60 to 90 minutes in studio. The plaster sets in about 30 of those.
Pairing it with a session
Casting can be added to a maternity session or booked on its own. Added to a session, we cast first and photograph after.
Bring someone
Partners and older siblings are welcome in the room, and partners often help with the strips. It photographs well.
Living with it
Sealed plaster is sturdy but not indestructible. Keep it out of direct sun and off the floor. We can add a hanger or a stand.
Questions
Asked often
Does the plaster feel unpleasant?
It goes on warm and slightly damp, then warms further as it hardens. Most people describe it as heavy and a little snug rather than uncomfortable. Tell your artist at any point if you want to stop or sit down.
How much of me gets cast?
You choose the boundaries. The most requested version runs from the chest to the hips. Belly-only and belly-with-hips are both common, and we can include arms or hands if you want them in the composition.
Can the baby really be photographed in it?
Yes, and it is one of our favorite setups. The cast is lined, padded, and supported before anything goes near it, and a spotter stays with the baby the whole time. Book the newborn session in the same call and we will have the cast ready.
Can I decide on the finish later?
We ask for the finish before you leave so the piece goes straight into the right queue. If you change your mind within a few days of the sitting, call us — we can usually still switch it.
How big is the finished piece?
Life size, because it is taken from you. Most finished casts run roughly 18 to 24 inches tall and stand about 8 inches deep. Plan the wall or shelf accordingly.
Can you paint something specific?
Usually. Send a reference and we will sketch a version for approval before painting. We work around licensed logos and other protected artwork, but we can build a design in the same colors and spirit.
Do you ship?
Local pickup is the default, at either the Tustin or New York studio. Shipping is possible on a case-by-case basis and is quoted separately, since the pieces need custom crating.
Reserve your date
Book a belly cast
Tell us your due date and which finish you are leaning toward. We will send back the next open dates in the 32 to 38 week window.
Start with an email