My plans for today included making two more 5 x 12 inch wall sculptures with a pelican and a roseate spoonbill. After hand painting all the chartreuse slip into the carved leaves for this white ibis sculpture, I decided to quit while I was ahead. It's about a three hour process to get to this greenware state. This stylized ibis is flying in front of a palm tree in the dark of the night. He looks more like he's floating though.
Here's the ibis on Honeymoon Island which inspired me. I thought his beak was too long, but it looks like I could have made it longer. Like previous wall sculptures in this series, the bird is a separately carved sprig which is slip painted, then attached on top of the underlying carved tile.
Oh, I had another burst of energy after dinner, so I made this stylized white pelican. I think I should add two more leaves to the branch on the left. There's a larger space between two sets near the bottom. Now that I see a photo of a pelican on the net, I may change his beak to a yellow color. His beak is full of food. Sorry this one is out of focus since it's darker in the studio now and the flash would reflect back from the black slip.
Update: I made some modifications to the pelican, I like this one better. I'm having fun making these, I can't wait to fire some of these. Since Hurricane Irene isn't expected to land here, I may fire some wall sculptures I made a few weeks ago very soon. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
We have black and white pelicans here Down Under. They love to use the air thermals to cirle way up high. Somehow they know when the inland Salt Lakes have water (a rare event) and descend in their hundreds to feed and nest. A wonderful creature the pelican, his beak holds more than his belly can! lol So glad the hurricane is passin you by and you can fire your kiln :^)
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any ibis around here but our lakes are full of blue herons and white egrets. They are such a lovely sight!
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that?! Your work and the bird!! We get Sandhill Cranes migrating and they look prehistoric!! All birds easily inspire me :o)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks, I remember the first time I saw a white pelican in early spring at a high Sierra Lake in California, they apparently overwintered there and then years later we had them every winter at the lake near our home in central California, they are so beautiful when they are flying seeing the black on their wings.
ReplyDeleteHi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, we have lots of blue heron and egrets here too, in fact yesterday we went to the local fish market on the river and two were hanging out there. Apparently the fish market gives them the parts they cut off and they hang out regularly there. Lucky birds.
Hi Cindy, thanks, we get the sandhill cranes here too. I have to do one of them one of these days too, so much inspiration so little time.