Week 12- Back in the Groove

I spent so much time in the studio this week, and it felt great! NCECA definitely gave me the kick I needed to get back in the groove with my making. I’m so excited about everything I’ve got in progress and have a handful of future projects brewing.

My new tools have made carving out all the tiny holes and and crevices in my small scale work sooooo much easier. I finished my first “mini monument” in the dark clay I’m testing, and really enjoyed realizing a complex form in small scale. Imagining it large scale gave me the idea of sculpting a life size, unfired version outside. During my crit we discussed possibilities of building this summer with a sort of adobe clay that would partially cure in the sun/air. On a whole other level, a hollow sculpture that also functions as a rocket kiln (Nina Hole being a pioneer in this) is an epic project to aspire for one day.

I made three sculptural vessels this week that I’m super proud of: two mugs and one bowl. They’re all in the soda kiln right now, getting nice and toasty.

I also started sculpting a big, ring shaped propriocepta that I dreamt up at NCECA. I was able to successfully flip and move it with GH onto two barrel kiln advancer shelves with sand-filled socks (I got this idea at a panel at NCECA) around the perimeter. The socks form a supportive ring to curl the edges of the form upwards, to give it more dimension. I kept the sculpture super wet so all the shock from the moving was easily repairable. I’m so happy the plan worked out. Now for the super tedious part.

thinking about:

What does it mean to have treasured memories of places that are also linked to difficult relationships and events?