Sculpture: Mold Making

Project #2 was to make a 2 part plaster mold.

Once the decision was made to create my own freeform object from clay I worked out an organic shape with implicit movement. I formed the general shape and it was clear I was not satisfied with a single size. So I constructed a total of three molds of varying size. I did not have a specific plan but felt the shape provided opportunities. The organic nature of the shape, the swirling, and the conical form already had ideas floating in my head. I saw horns, stylized Dr. Suess trees, tornados just to list a few. I decided to let the project reveal itself. Once I saw the finished form and the opportunity for manipulation and personality, it became clear the objects were creatures. I ultimately see hundreds of them meandering in groups on a floor, wall, and ceiling. Gathering as a flock of birds.

The project repeats a shape and form. The forms vary in size yet are unified by their triangular shape and conical form. Beyond the individual pieces the project also takes on a similar unity and variety through the repetition of 3 separate molds. The varying sizes help to create a balance. The forms are set in motion by twisting the object creating a swirl. The movement is repeated and furthered by a twist within the swirl becoming like an eddy or tornado. In post mold manipulation I added texture to the piece by creating ridges and organic lumps and bumps. I also created a delicate vertical line texture on each piece which was subsequently covered with the application of wax. The wax and crayon covering assumed a fleshy texture and appearance.

The entire group.

From above

Close up #1

Close up #2

Drawings

This past summer I enrolled in a drawing course. Finally have had time to photograph my work. It was a great experience and I learned a great deal. This drawing was done with charcoal. It's a piece of driftwood.

Observational Drawing #1

Self Portrait: Photographs

Messing around taking some self portraits.

Black & White

Black & White

Blurry

Self Portrait: Sculpture

The semester is winding down. This project was a self portrait. Only stipulation on this project was the head had to be made of clay. The rest was up to us.

The structure of the figure was extremely important and required creative problem solving to counteract the weight of the clay head. I constructed the frame work from PVC pipe and chicken wire. I filled the legs with plaster to weigh down the body so the head would not topple the body framework. I painted on paraffin wax for the eyes. I also used wax and crayon for the chest and hand to create a flesh appearance.

Detail

My self portrait explores being constrained in life by personal stories and the past. The mummy imagery was chosen as a representation of death. Not death in the traditional sense but the death of play, adventure, and spirit. The dead spirit lies asleep, emotionally unconscious and self expression silenced. The body is wrapped as an ancient mummy locked away in a tomb. The wrapping represents layers of personal narrative weaved over time. The wrap constrains the figure as our past can constrain our actions and way of being.

Yet, the figure struggles and tears against the wrappings. Exposing the head as the body begins to reanimate. There is an awakening. Blind eyes open and flesh returns. The wrappings are being shed as the past is released. There is a part of me currently in a struggle to unburden myself form my personal narrative and release my true self expression.

Plaster Sculpture

For this assignment we chose a verb with some kind of sensation that can be translated into a visual experience. Then carved an expression of the verb into a block of plaster.

Dripping has a dynamic, natural and creepy aesthetic I appreciate. This quality granted the opportunity to combine contradictory design elements. Smooth, flowing lines covered with a rough texture and exaggerated form. I also enjoy the juxtaposition of creating a representation of liquid and movement from a solid and static form. The large scale of the piece adds to these opposing elements creating boldness in a tiny drip. Conceptualizing the piece I envisioned dripping blood ala classic horror films with a certain thickness and viscosity to the liquid. I also thought of a clear, crystalline droplet of water with smoothness and clarity. I combined the two with an exaggerated carved out, symbolical almost cartoonish representation. Droplets spurt and flow from long flowing threads and also gather in groups as they coagulate

Front

From behind

From above

Detail

Wire Sculpture

Taking a sculpture course this semester. This is the wire project.

Wire Sculpture

Detail