Saturday, December 10, 2011

Step by Step


I wish I would have stopped here but I didn't; I added more to the tree. I like how the tree grows up and over the sides and up the roof interior.


First I built an enclosure for the shrine. This piece is about 10.5 high by 5.5 wide  in inches; at the edge of the roof it's 8.5 wide. The sides are 2.5 inches deep, the roof is 4 inches at the center and curves slightly narrower at the edge, and the base is 3 inches deep curving narrower to meet the sides. After I made the piece I let it firm up some and dry over night.


The next morning I brushed three coats of blue and green stained slip on the panels. I usually brush the slip before I assemble the piece but this time I did the reverse. I found out it's much easier to put the slip on before assembly. When it's assembled I have to be really careful not to knock my hand or fingers against any of the sides while I'm brushing on the colored slip. I use a small brush (an acrylic size) because the slip dries quickly; I need to keep dipping into the slip so I can apply wet coats to the surface.


After the background colors dried, I brushed in the tree and branches. Then I layered more colors of slip for the tree, bark, leaves, and grass. See this is what I mean, I think the barren tree in the first photo was more dramatic than this later one. But I can always make another one. In fact I plan to make several more of these. The tree now looks about like the sweetgum, Liquidamber styraciflua, outside my studio window; still holding on to some of it's leaves.

Trees by Alfred Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree. 


I added roots of the tree under the bottom. I also added one yellow star on top of the roof. I have a few ideas of a sculptural piece to add beside the tree inside the shrine. This post is part of Artists in Blogland Saturday share. Comments and suggestions are most welcome.

16 comments:

  1. sweet Linda- I love trees and this is so nice!

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  2. I like the early version too...less is more. The root system on the bottom is terrific!

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  3. I'd love to have something on this order for the alcove which was formerly an old telephone stand. It now contains a candle, some incense and a small religious picture.

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  4. Oh ~ this such a delightful creation ~ Love how you did the 'roots' of the tree ~ too ~~ thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy AIBL ^_^

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  5. A beautiful piece and beautifully painted!

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  6. Love the shrine. I'm thinking it would make a fab casserole.
    I really think you should make a video of your technique. I'd love to here you talk about it.

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  7. I love this, but I do prefer the top one with bare branches. I like the roots, though. I wonder about one with a slightly darker background and a slice of moon or a full moon through the trees

    A very creative idea you've developed here! I Love it!

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  8. Great shrine Linda, The roots on the bottom are the best. I really like how you wrapped the image all round the piece. xox Corrine

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  9. really like the roots underneath... it's like a surprise on the bottom!

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  10. Beautiful Shrine, I just love trees!

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  11. A beautiful shrine to a tree in nature. thanks for sharing.

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  12. taking photos of the different stages is a great idea. You can easily compare the bare tree with the leafed tree and decide what variation to make next time. I'd like to see the fired piece...

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  13. Hi Black Pumpkin, thanks so much.

    Hi Meredith, thanks, I too love trees, always have, such symbols of strength.

    Hi Smartcat, thanks, yes less is more I was thinking the same thing when I looked at the photos.

    Hi Kate, thanks, what size is your alcove, can you take a photo and post or send to me; more coming along too.

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  14. Hi Carol, thanks, yes adding the roots struck me, they look a little odd, but that's actually what they look like if a tree is uprooted with the roots attached, a big jumbled mess.

    Hi Jane, thanks so much, we'll see after the firing.

    Hi Cazz, thanks, not sure about those square edges for a casserole. One of these days I'll make a video.

    Hi Teresa, thanks, I'll be making more; just finished one, but didn't add the moon, perhaps with the next one after that.

    Hi Corrine, thanks, I need to get a thinner paint brush for wrapping those branches, it's hard to control the width of the brush stroke with the one I have.

    Hi Michele, thanks, I tell myself to add those surprises, but I don't often remember when I do I sometimes surprise myself. Ha.

    Hi Denni, thanks, yes I love trees, so lucky to have a couple right outside my window.

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  15. Hi Donna, thanks, trees are something to be revered for sure.

    Hi Anna, thanks, I am always so glad when I take photos along the way, it is really a great reference and then I try to keep them till after the piece is fired. Perhaps I'll do a post of the pre and post fired piece to show the differences in slip colors, sometimes or many times it's totally different especially with the darker colors.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment