Friday, August 22, 2014

Dreaming of Animals

For the past several nights I've been dreaming of animals; thinking how to construct them in sculptural form. Today I decided to try my hand at sculpting a horse. I used a modified format of my strips of clay technique to construct the body parts, the torso, legs, and head. Later I added the feet, ears, mane and tail. I'm surprised this little guy, about seven inches tall, stands on his own without any support. Who knows if he'll dry that way.


After I made him, I thought he looked like what I thought an Icelandic horse would. I found these images of Icelandic horses and he does look like one of them. I see they have a fuller mane than I've given him I'll have to make another one with a full mane. Icelandic horses are stocky and sturdy and sure to withstand the rigors of Icelandic winters.

He also reminds me of the wooden Trojan Horse which allowed the Greeks to enter the city of Troy.. Now I'm envisioning ways to make other sculptural animal forms. Perhaps I'll build clay plinths and set the animal sculptures on them to make them sturdier.

The past few weeks Gary sold lots of pottery at the Trash to Treasures sale. Every day he packs up to leave, he says pottery doesn't sell. Then he comes home telling me of sales of my pottery. Yesterday a gentleman said he's been a collector of pottery for many years.  He said my pottery is art, not the run of the mill cups, bowls, plates, he usually sees, etc.

Above are a couple of pieces of my pottery he purchased. Nothing against functional pottery since I make that type of pottery too. But it was so nice to learn someone appreciates the other types of work I do. These are the types of work I have so much fun making, the more esoteric or sculptural type of work.  So many ideas and so little time. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

8 comments:

  1. How lovely that your artistry is appreciated.
    Your horse made me think immediately of totem animals. A workhorse - with spiritual significance as well.

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  2. Love the horse! You've captured it well. How did the first firing of kiln come out?

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  3. Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, perhaps that's why I've been dreaming of animals lately each one has some sort of significance.

    Hi Barb, thanks, I hope to make larger animals once I get the kinks worked out. The firing went well and now I am firing a glaze load, will unload tonight or tomorrow, can't wait to see how it all turns out.

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  4. My first thought was the Trojan horse .. maybe you can make little people to go inside ... ;)

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  5. how nice to sell your beautiful work.

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  6. Hi Teresa, thanks, his stout body could definitely hold some people inside.

    Hi Gigi, thanks, I am indeed lucky, I love it when I get feedback about my work.

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  7. Love your horse. Sometimes when I dream of horses I wake up wanting to make one in papier mache'.

    The two pieces the guy bought are gorgeous. I would have been drawn to those also.

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  8. Hi Barbara, thanks, you should make a horse that would be so cool to see what you rendition would be. I am truly lucky to have folks that like my work.

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