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Ixchel - Mayan Goddess
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- Category: Sculptures
Ixchel is the Mayan goddess of midwifery, fertility, and medicine. The ancient Maya were a highly advanced civilization, particularly in their understanding of the solar system and mathematics. I've always wanted to sculpt a Mesoamerican deity but found the depictions, most of which are based on Spanish codices, very difficult to interpret visually. After some research, I chose Ixchel to sculpt as her iconography is fairly consistent: snake atop her head, sometimes pouring water, and sometimes depicted as a young or old woman. As an added homage to this beautiful Mayan goddess, I based her facial features on stock images of actual women from the Yucatan peninsula (the hub of the ancient Mayan civilization). Incidentally, I later learned through an Instagram colleague that one of the sculptures that I had used as reference is located in Isla Mujeres (The Island of Women) in Mexico. There is even a temple dedicated to her there (Templo De La Diosa Ixchel) which I hope to visit someday. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model (greenware)
Father Christmas Candy Bowl (Ceramic Santa Claus)
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- Category: Sculptures
The modern day persona of Santa Claus is an amalgamation of the much older English tradition of Father Christmas and various historical and legendary figures including Saint Nicholas (Bishop of Myra), Odin, and other European folklore. Many countries also share similar traditions of a benevolent elderly figure that gives presents to children on a special day: Ded Moroz (Russia), Joulupukki (Finland), and even Amu Nowruz (Iran). In sculpting my version of this holiday legend, I decided on a more realistic take on Father Christmas with less belly fat and a tamer beard compared to the commercialized image of Santa. His gift sack serves as a candy bowl, just the right size for some Hershey's Kisses. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop for helping me get this ready in time for Christmas 2018.
Wet clay model
Pallas Athena (Minerva) with Sword
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- Category: Sculptures
Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare, and often referred to as Pallas Athena. Both her and her Roman counterpart Minerva are typically portrayed with a spear, a Gorgoneion in the form of a shield with Medusa's head, and a helmet resting atop her head. Occasionally Athena is shown wielding a sword, which also happens to be more ceramic friendly than a spear. I had originally considered sculpting Wonder Woman in battle gear but realized that aside from the tiara, Diana of Themyscira and Athena with a sword are pretty much the same thematically. Similar to my Victory of Samothrace, I decided to use a light acrylic wash instead of ceramic glaze to emulate an aged patina on ancient marble look. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
Spike Spiegel (from Cowboy Bebop)
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- Category: Sculptures
"I'm not going there to die. I'm going to find out if I'm really alive."
I recently completed a second binge viewing of Cowboy Bebop's 26 episodes (and movie) and thought that Spike Spiegel, the main protagonist of the series, would make for a cool and interesting ceramic sculpture. In researching Spike's creation by Shinichirō Watanabe and Toshihiro Kawamoto, I learned that his appearance was primarily based on the main protagonist of Tantei Monogatari, portrayed by the famous Japanese actor Yusaku Matsuda. Bruce Lee was clearly another influence, as Spike's physique and fighting style were modeled after the late Jeet Kune Do founder. (Incidentally, Bruce Lee is on my list of subjects to sculpt - one of these days.) My version of Spike is an imagining of what he would be as an actual person, sans the anime's exaggerated features. In hindsight, plain acrylic paint may have been a better choice over ceramic glaze which I ironically sourced from two different ceramics shops (Miami and in San Francisco) for the right color for his suit. (My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.)
Bisque fired model
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