Month: July 2011

The goddess and the lunar hare

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Faux Bone – just what the name implies, a relatively new material, related to PVA plastic, yet non toxic and high quality. It was launched on the market by Robert Dancik, and I have had it on the workbench for months! Wanting to try shaping, sanding, carving, impressing, staining… this versatile material. So here is the first attempt: 

Faux bone goddess

The ceramic oval on the left is my goddess/poppet. To me She is the self, the soul, the creative muse, the feminine divine. Her shape is inspired by Cycladic idols and other ancient sculpture. I wanted to see her in faux ivory of a sort. The copper acts as a structural base for the piece, the dark rich patina of the copper setting off the subtle tones in the FB. From a design sense it serves as a halo, and allows holes at hands (for attachment to a necklace) and feet ( gemstone dangle, of course!)

Cycladic idol  Nile Goddess (Left: Cycladic Idol, app. 2500 BCE. Right: Nile Goddess, app 3500 BCE)

I was happy with how she turned out, although I am still considering giving her breasts… I turned my focus next to me second favorite of my ceramic pendants – the lunar hare. The  hare is a bit of a totem animal for me, and I am greatly inspired by the many myths of the moon hare. From so many cultures, so diverse, yet illustrating a commonality…

Lunar hare

The crescent on the right – is polymer clay. I was baking some other pieces for the Blue Hen and I made a few crescents to test. While i like the sculptural possibilities – this one is too bulky. I think Faux bone will work best here, too. Other things in progress: 

Copper and nickel silver windows/ frames. Images are sandwiched under mica, tube rivets, stamped words… This was a direct inspiration from Melissa Manley – and although she wasn’t the first to ever use this technique – it is only proper, and respectful to give credit. (Her work is amazing, and I am happy to have studied with her, and to call her a friend. ) The piece on the far left: “Such stuff as dreams are made on…” quoted from “The Tempest” – houses an image of Miranda from a painting by my favorite, John Williams Waterhouse. 

copper frames pendants

The piece on the right is a bit different. It is carved wood, housing a collage. The collage is set in a plastic lens and resin. The front image is an Irish stamp, copper, and the word ‘Journey’. The back: 

MM bird back

It is an idea I am experimenting with – crating sculptural frames for collage/lens. My text, as always, is from 200+ year old books. It is a meditation of sorts, to thumb through the yellowing pages, eyes flitting and darting, until the right words present themselves to me. Words I would not have chosen; phrases I would not have composed…

I would love to hear your thoughts, out there in the ether. Do you have a personal talisman? A totem animal? 

 

Cerrridwen, Taliesin…and a Blue Hen?

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Blue Hen plywood

It all started with the hen, the blue hen to be exact. The City of Newark, DE is having a fundraiser – in the style of the decorated animal sculptures you have seen – I am sure – in many cities across the country. As the state bird is the Blue Hen… artists have been given a plywood silhouette, app. 30″ tall. Out birds will be auctioned off in September, and will be displayed (inside) at various businesses in town, and on Main St. The previous picture shows the earliest stages, after carving up my bird, to create a niche inside. Then she was covered in paper – from the Encyclopedia Britannica, or course. And yes, I used the article on “Poultry farming”. 

Blue Hen paper

I knew right away I wanted to create a shrine in the body of the hen. Shrines are my most personal, expressive medium. Although the chicken is not a totem animal I use symbolically in my work, I wanted to challenge myself to make a “real” piece, not just a fundraiser donation. I had committed my name, my time, and energy to this venture, and I wanted it to be true to my body of work… So the only mythic reference to a chicken in Western myth that came to my mind – was the myth of Cerridwen. She is the Keeper of the Cauldron – in which She brews inspiration. She is the Goddess of rebirth, transformation, inspiration. She is a creatrix, a mother, a wise woman… In the classic myth regarding her: She brews an elixir for her son, hiring the boy Gwion to stir the cauldron. After a year and a day – the mythic measure of time for an arduous task – the potion splashes Gwion’s thumb. He sucks it, to cool the burn and receives all the wisdom, knowledge therein. Greatly displeased – Cerridwen pursues Gwion to punish him. The chase takes on epic proportions as they shape shift through many animal forms, each pair representing an element. These animal pairings will be shown on the hen itself…

sawing animals

hound and hare

otter and salmon

songbird and raptor

The greyhound and the hare. The otter and the salmon. The hawk and the songbird. But where does the hen come in? After three transformations, as the chase continues, Gwion turns himself into a grain of wheat. Cerridwen as a hen, simply eats the grain. In nine months, She gives birth to Taliesin – who is to become the greatest bard of all time. Rebirth, inspiration, transformation… 

Hen nearly complete

The niche will hold a small clay tile of Taliesin – whose name translates as “Radiant Brow” referencing the ‘fire in the head’ of divine inspiration and enlightenment. It seemed fitting to have him incubating there. I plan to include the text of the myth with the piece. I know that many will find it more in depth than they prefer. But I feel that keeping the inspiration pure and not simplifying the concept of the work is honest, and a homage to Cerridwen herself. The overall color palette is natural and harmonious, very earthy. I hope it finds an appreciative audience when it goes out into the world in September, and does its part to raise funds for the Newark Arts Alliance.   Please feel free to comment and tell me your thoughts!

( I will add new pix as the work progresses!)

Holiday weekend: shows, summer, beach, neighbors…and water ice

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Shadey view

This was my view a week ago – Saturday July 2nd, to be exact. I cant believe a week has gone by already! Yikes! Last Saturday was the St. Peter’s Fine Art Show in Lewes, DE. It is one of my regular shows, that I enjoy, and this weekend was even more perfect – the weather cooperated! Take a look at that sky…

St Petes view 2

There’s a shot of my street. Honestly – it was such a nice day, smooth at set up, sunny, and don’t forget the water ice. Its a St Peter’s tradition for me. That afternoon lull, when you are feeling a little sleepy… It was great to see familiar faces, and to meet and chat with new customers!

St Petes

One beautiful little incident: a woman was very drawn to a ceramic pendant – a crescent moon and star. She initiated the stealth buy; it was for her daughter, who was going to catch up with her any moment. Yet in the brief time we shared – she told me her daughter was adopted, and she had said to her from the beginning to the present – “I love you to the moon and stars.” She wanted her daughter to have the pendant, as she was away at school, majoring in art. It means quite a bit to me, when people are moved by the work I do – even something as simple as a pendant. And that she felt compelled to share that with me, inviting me into her trust in our short interaction together. Thank you !

mer tiles

My new tile: the split tailed mermaid made her debut at the show. She is a confident mermaid, a bit sassy. I quite like her!

St Petes view

I did stroll my block – sadly I wasn’t able to take a stroll through the whole show… But I met some wonderful neighbors!

(Speaking of block… block printing!) I had to meet Jennifer of Home Sweet after a customer shopping in my booth raved!!! about her block printed fabrics – even unwrapping and showing off her purchases. And I couldn’t agree more. Gorgeous work, bold, colorful, great design, great craftsmanship. 

printer display

Scraps of fabric in a bowl… you mean I can have one?! Like a treasure! And a very green business card as well! You can find her at her site and on Etsy. 

Printed sample

Off the Wall

There you see the lovely and charming Peri of Off the Wall Art. I couldn’t ask for a better neighbor as we explored the Square up credit card services for the first time. ( Review: quick, easy, generally brilliant. Stylus recommended.) Her work is very creative, very fun. Colorful, whimsical, and heartfelt; it draws you in with a strong sense of “joie de vivre”.  Wonderful sayings – not overly sweet, but endearing and sincere, and often punny. The two cards below show you what I mean: “Be who you arrrghh!” (Piratical words of advice!) “We all laugh in the same language” I just love them! Check out her site – great work for kids, or the inner child in all of us. 

Off the Wall art cards

It has been a busy week – we stayed at the beach to visit the ocean, and enjoy the Fourth…unpacking after the show, Oops, caught a summer cold, clean the house… and get ready for the second session of clay camp starting tomorrow! Did spend a few quality hours in the studio yesterday. Stay tuned to see the results! It wont take a week before I post again, promise!