Synthesis: Week Seven in the Studio

This week I wanted to be ambitious. I wanted to push my current work further into a realm of play and experimentation. Starting on the second of my aforementioned ‘alien’ forms. This one taking on a much more surreal, liquid quality. From the textures and materials to the motifs of coral and wet earth. I want to evoke the synthesis of a primordial pool. Something that birthed out of nothing.

The origin. To explain with a sentence fragment…

after its completion, I was immensely proud of the form and where the next ones would take me. I work very quickly so everything I make tends to feel like a rapid sketch in space. If I’m particularly intrigued by a form I make, I usually explore further. These flower like guardians have been floating around my head for several years but I never converged the idea with clay.

As it turned out, I was running low on all my bagged clay and would have to make my own very soon. I began researching different clay bodies until I found a recipe that intrigued me. A stoneware recipe from Casey Beck is what I set out to test. I’ve set plans in motion to experiment with it soon, and I can’t wait to see how it will enhance my work.

Moving forward, I aim to create a few trial pieces along with two new larger sculptures with the new clay. I believe this will not only improve my building skills but also open up new possibilities for expression through form. In the coming weeks, I'll keep you updated on my progress and share the outcomes of my tests.

Stay tuned for more insights into my studio adventures! As always, I appreciate your support and interest in my journey.