Work in Progress - New Clay SculpturesThe clay sculptures shown on this page are dried but still unfired clay and not yet cast in bronze... I have been feeling very relaxed about these new sculptures and also revelling in the fact that I have a studio and that I have the time to get in there and make work. I know it's a luxury and I feel very lucky. I never dreamed I would be in a position to 'be a sculptor' nor that it would work out so well for me... That making sculptures fits so neatly and flexibly around family life is another delight. With the recession I thought perhaps I'd take it easy and not worry about making too much new work for a bit. So of course these new pieces developed well and smoothly and feel unstrained and calm, even to me! Which of these clay sculptures will become bronze sculptures over the next year I have no idea...
Untitled - Two Female FiguresThese new smallish sculptures shown here in unfired clay are of two women hugging. The figures are of similar size to each other. I wanted to see what a pair of more equally sized figures would look like. I enjoyed making these, thinking of a friend of mine and her female companion (hello Stevie!). I was also thinking about trying to keep the overall shape simple, with the outside shape versus inside space and the whole enclosed in a triangle. I feel these are the beginning of a series...
Untitled - Sitting FiguresThese two small clay sculptures are in familiar territory because I find I keep going back to the theme of the solitary thoughtful figure. Some of my clients like these best and I have been touched to hear about the positive emotions they seem to evoke in those people. Similar to 'Staryu' , but moving on from there a bit, I think, these small seated figures would translate very well into bronze. I don't know what to say about these except I am surprised and delighted by the responses I have had to these quiet figures. None of these ceramic sculptures have been given titles yet. Sometimes choosing a title is the most difficult part of this whole process, for me anyway. Were you to have inspiration as to what any of these new ceramics might be named - should they be cast - please let me know. If the title you choose fits I would love to use it... ( I can be contacted easily through this site) At the moment I don't have any idea whether any of these clay sculptures will be cast into bronze but thank you in advance if you send me any of your ideas anyway.
Untitled - Small curled FiguresThese solid little figures curling up lying on their backs were inspired by an odd ceramic cat from the 50's that I found in a junk shop. It was rather sweet so I bought it for my son who's of an age to love 'cute' things. But then it ended up in the studio as an inspiration for the way the figure - or cat - forms a circle. The 50's ceramic cats outer leg was reaching up round to its ear. So that is what I made these strange little figures do. Not yet sure how sucessful they are. They have their demerits - maybe I must try the idea again...
Untitled - Figure on Side with Toes in AirThis spare rangey figure began with my wanting to do a smallish sculpture of a figure with plenty of height... I also wanted to play with more different shapes and outlines so this clay sculpture has a more complicated outline. It has elements from some of my favourite bronze sculptures like "Round Face" and "Jiggillypuff" but has quite a different feel to it. I don't know if this sculpture is doing what I want yet and I still want to do more pieces from this starting point.
Unfinished Clay SculptureIt's always hard to get back into the studio after a break and since I don't make any sculptures in the studio when the children are on holiday this happens about three times a year. Often new work has to be begun. Starting a sculpture from scratch I find daunting so I tend to put this off and off so I am grateful for anything that helps get me started. This little sculpture was begun when a friend/client was visiting. She wanted to see how a sculpture was begun, so this was the 'demo' piece I began for her. I showed her how I sometimes start with a doll shape and then animate it, this time putting it directly into this sitting mode. It looked good straight away so has been an easy and satisfying sculpture to make. It is nearly finished and has already been hollowed out. What it needs now is for small alterations and corrections to be made and then to be refined. After that when the clay is hard enough I'll be able to flip over the figure over and work from underneath. This is a stage I love since its always a surprise to see what the bottom of the sculpture is doing and working from there makes such a dramatic difference to the solidity of the sculpture. Also, of course, this stage means I am satisfied enough with the progress and the end is in sight... I am not sure what will happen to the long tendrilly hair on this sculpture. In the clay these lines can look woolly, but I need to remember how strong they become when cast into bronze....
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