Finishing the Standing Angel

As this clay hardens, I am finishing details.  It is a lot of fun to be working in this new medium.  One more day is all I have before it will be too hard to work.  I see some changes that will make me like it better, but small enough that the viewer might not notice. 

Angel 2, Day 2

Day 2, lots still to do before it's too dry to work. 

Angel #2, Standing

Just started Angel #2, Standing.  I'm enjoying working in wet clay.  Usually I work in oil based clay which is built around an armature, and is good only for making a mold around, and then finishing in bronze.  Wet clay is water based.  The walls of the sculpture will be carved to be a consistent width; when it dries completely it will be fired in a kiln.  It may be glazed, or oil painted to finish.  These angels will be a one-of-a-kind sculpture - no additional casts after the one and only. 

Finished Angel 1 (Kneeling)

Today I finished this angel and started the next one.  She is drying, getting ready to be fired.  Sweet face.  Attitude of gentle reverence, supplication, "Thy will be done". 

Day 2 Angel

Today was day 2 on my wet clay angel.   Here are the updated photos.  We'll be playing with grandchildren this weekend, so the next update will be Monday or Tuesday...  I'm having fun!

New Work

It's been a long time since I sculpted in wet clay.  I'm working on a seated angel.  So I'm having to figure out how to hollow out the innards to allow everything to dry evenly.  I am posting photographs of day one:  armature made of a pipe fitting and newspapers, blocking in of large shapes to establish composition, size, scale, etc.  She will be prettier as I work it out.  She will not be nude by the way, but the proportions have to be right before clothing is added. Tonight I am contemplating wings with feathers. 

Follow my friend, Marcelo Vignali

Marcelo has been a good friend for years.  It is always great to see what he is working on.  This is his blog site, and you will be glad to see it.  He has a powerful talent, an amazing work ethic, and a wide and deep spirit.  We could learn a lot from him - in fact I have.  And have deep philosophical discussions about life while we are learning.  We have spent many hours sharing life drawing class.

Leonardo da Vinci

Thank you my artist friends for posting:

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art." Leonardo da Vinci

This wonderful quote might be stated oppositely,                     "Where the spirit works with the hand, there is art."

New Commission

I'm loving what I am in the middle of creating right now.  It's a very large bas relief with religious themes.  It is surrounded by a large picture frame with the top carved off and replaced with a Gothic arch.  Nice.  I tell you this because it is a long term project. 

And in the mean time, a got a phone call for a piece that must be done by Christmas!  I will be making an angel - with wings!  I will be using wet clay so it will be fired and be a one of a kind piece.  I'm very excited about doing this, and a little bit hesitant too.  I am used to oil based clay that uses armatures, and molds and bronze.  This will be a new experience.  Wet clay is sculpted, then hollowed out to dry, and then fired. So the design will be different from working in oil base clay.  So - working on it in my head for a while.  Not too modern and stylized.  Not too many out-flung pieces that become delicate.  Not too baroque.  Not too mourning and sad.  Standing?  Sitting?  I see it with face and hands turned up.  I'm excited to see what this will be!