I’ve been fascinated with hand-built clay sculptures for a long time. Tried to create a few with some success but more disappointments. I think it’s because I’ve always built over a form, not trusting myself to build it from scratch. I’d even tried a sculpture class or two but didn’t really understand the process; so, it was back to my partial success with forms.
When Creative Arts Center of Dallas offered an animal sculpture workshop, I signed up … a couple of times. But, each time, it was cancelled until last month. Frankly, I was surprised that the workshop was a GO! because class size was limited and we were required to wear masks.
Well, this was the best workshop ever! Susan Giller helped me understand the process of building a solid figure, refining it, hollowing it out and finishing it. Here are some “work in progress” photos.
- In the beginning there was clay. Took a while to shape and refine.
- Red iron oxide wash added before cat was bisque fired
- After first glaze firing. Didn’t add enough glaze to cover the red iron oxide
- Yes! Cat after second glaze firing.
- Back of cat after second glaze firing
- Finished cat with decals.