A Year Long Journey

Creating the Charlie Munger bust was a deeply personal endeavor that spanned nearly a year, from late 2022 to November 2023. What began as an artistic challenge evolved into something more meaningful, especially as the final touches were applied just days before his passing.

The project started with a simple idea: to capture the essence of one of the greatest investment minds of our time. Charlie Munger wasn't just Warren Buffett's right-hand man; he was a unique thinker whose wisdom and wit deserved commemoration.

The early days were filled with research—studying photographs, watching interviews, and trying to understand the subtle nuances of his features that conveyed his character. When Charlie himself provided reference photos, it felt like a blessing, a connection to the man behind the legend.

Working with clay brought its own challenges. Capturing the particular set of his mouth that often preceded one of his characteristically blunt observations, or the thoughtful creases around his eyes that appeared when he was deep in contemplation, required countless adjustments and refinements.

There were moments of frustration, times when the likeness seemed to escape me, and periods of breakthrough when suddenly his essence would emerge from the clay. Each session brought the bust closer to completion, but more importantly, deepened my appreciation for the man I was portraying.

As November 2023 approached, there was a sense of accomplishment as the final details came together. The plan had been to present the bust to Charlie himself—a thank you for his indirect mentorship through books, speeches, and those reference photos. I imagined his reaction: perhaps a characteristic quip about vanity, followed by a thoughtful appreciation of the effort.

Then came the news of his passing, just after Thanksgiving, shortly before what would have been his 100th birthday. The timing was heartbreaking. The bust that was meant as a gift of gratitude to a living legend suddenly transformed into a memorial.

There's a bittersweet quality to completing an artistic tribute to someone just before they leave this world. The opportunity to personally present it was lost, but perhaps the timing speaks to something larger—a cosmic acknowledgment of a life well-lived, a legacy secured.

Charlie Munger left behind not just investment wisdom but a framework for thinking and living. His mental models, his advocacy for "knowing what you don't know," and his emphasis on multidisciplinary learning continue to inspire countless individuals.

The bust now stands as my personal tribute—not just to the investor, but to the philosopher, the thinker, the uniquely straightforward voice that cut through complexity with clarity and humor.

While I couldn't present it to him in person as intended, creating this bust became its own reward—a year-long conversation with Charlie's ideas, personality, and legacy. Through the process of sculpting his likeness, I gained a deeper understanding of the man whose wisdom will continue to guide generations.

In art as in life, the journey often teaches us more than reaching the destination. This year-long journey with Charlie, even without the planned ending, was no exception.