Dean Rusling established the Chalkos Art Foundry fourteen years ago, producing fine bronze art castings for other sculptors, as well as many commissions for sculptors. In 1995, he cast a bronze icon of an important figure in modern Australian history, Aboriginal land rights pioneer Eddie Mabo and quickly became adept at the complex tasks. But it still took a number of years to grow the confidence to sculpt his own artwork.

Finally Dean realized he also had a talent for sculpting and has been producing quality pieces in bronze that are of the highest standard. Rusling has won three Pine Rivers Arts Alliance Art Awards with bronzes of aquatic life: a mud crab, sea-turtle and platypus.