THE NEW HAT

I loved this precariously balanced sculpture but something was missing for me....She needed a headdress to be complete. Even though she was already fired and finished, I was able to add a pieces of clay (this is paper clay, remember) and then refire the whole piece and refinish it ...voilla!

VARIATIONS ON A THEME

 

 

I am preparing for a workshop and I put together a sheet of images so we could talk about the various ways I finish a piece. I realized that iron oxide is the magic ingredient. I use it over underglazes and under opaque and transparent paints...
I now have a whole vocabulary of effects based on this noxious stuff. I want to get away from it, but I'm too in love with what it can do

BEGINNING WITH AN IDEA

Images come on go...the best ones repeat until I finally find a way to sculpt them. this one is about clouds. how they form, rising as a great mist from the massive forests of the Pacific NorthWest.
First came the sketches...looking for the eventual volume of the cloud that had, now, taken on the human (god-like) shape. Moving into clay and finally finding a finish that expressed the misty quality...her name...NIMBUS

USING BRIGHT COLORS

Fifteen years ago, I left figurative painting behind and  began my journey into clay.
In clay, form is my most important consideration. The finishes on my clay sculptures always defined the piece in either light porcelain or dark iron oxide....now bright color has come to me begging to be included.
By using bright color, I factor in an element that demands equal consideration. Bright color doesn't play a supportive role. It doesn't play nice...

I'm using the same color pallet and the same oil paints that defined my years as a painter. I see that My bright color sculptures are an extension of those earlier paintings.

ACKNOWLEDGING MY HEROS

Most artists don't burst on the scene, fully formed in all their mastery. We all work towards our own vision and along the way, we become aware of the genius of others. If we are honest in our work, we refrain from imitation while allowing ourselves to be influenced.
My heros are figurative sculptors and there are many more than those listed here. At the top of my list is that renaissance giant, Michelangelo. His female figures have strength and power while remaining feminine.

Another of my heros is Aguste Rodin and his studio mate/lover Camille Claudel

Moving forward into modern times, I will list just some of my heros with links to their work.
Javier Marin his work leaves me breathless.
Beth Cavenor she works so large and so detailed. Her animals are archetypes for the best and worst of ourselves.
Michelle Gregor who always builds an aura of peace into her figures.
Lisa Clague her women are serene and beautiful...but there is always something else going on.
Lisa Reinertson her personal work is all about saving nature from it's enemy, man.

I hope you take a moment to check out my heros.
Can you see their influences in my work?

ONLINE GALLERY

I have just begun a relationship with Saatchi Art. They get rave reviews for content and business practices. I was impressed with the quality of art that they show so I put a small group of my work up for sale. You can see my profile at Saatchi Art
This is one of the pieces. She is all about change...Ya gotta embrace it or it will run you over like a freight train.

SPONTANEOUS CLAY in MENDOCINO

The waves are crashing, the sun is shining (hopefully) and I'm  inviting you all to be with me for an exciting 4 days...SEPTEMBER 7th through 10th. at the MENDOCINO ART CENTER
here's the link for full workshop info   http://www.mendocinoartcenter.org/Fall17/Collier.html

Once again, I will be sharing my special tricks for paper clay. It's the perfect clay for beginners because it is so easy to work with and that extra workability also makes it ideal for advanced students to push the envelope on creativity.