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Newborn Giraffe Calf
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- Category: Sculptures
The giraffe (Giraffa), is the tallest living land animal, and one of the most visually distinct creatures, making them instantly recognizable and a favorite of children and adults alike. Their closest living relative is the Okapi, which superficially resemble a half giraffe, half zebra. Despite their improbably long necks, they have the same number of vertebrae (neck bones) as all mammals. I've been meaning to sculpt a giraffe for a while but could not figure out how to sculpt a piece with a high center of gravity with long, thin legs - until I came across a photo of Amelia, a newborn female calf at the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina earlier this year. This piece is loosely based on that photo with some liberty taken on the spot patterns. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
Isis - Egyptian Goddess
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- Category: Sculptures
Isis was one of the most popular and central deities worshipped not only in Egypt, but also throughout the ancient world. In Egyptian mythology, Isis was the consort and wife of Osiris, and mother of Horus. During the Hellenistic era, her characteristics became infused with other Greek deities such as Aphrodite and Io. There is even some controversy as to whether the worship of the Virgin Mary may have in part been influenced by the adoration of Isis prior to the rise of Christianity. From an artistic perspective, Isis's physical traits and iconography share similarities with other Egyptian goddesses, especially Hathor. Isis was also commonly represented as a winged goddess, sporting either physical or symbolic wings of a kite. For my sculpture, I gave Isis a sun disk crown with cow horns adorned with Uraeus (sacred cobra), and symbolic wings. Eight different glazes were used for a fully colored effect. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
Red Panda
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- Category: Sculptures
The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens), is a mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. Roughly the size of a domestic cat, the red panda's diet consists mainly of bamboo, with occasional birds, fish, eggs, vegetation, and insects. The term "panda" was actually first used to describe the red panda in the West. When giant pandas were introduced a few decades later, red pandas were relegated to "lesser pandas" or "red panda." Red Pandas live an average of 10 to 15 years, and as cute as they are, have not been broadly domesticated. They are also an endangered species with an estimated less than 10,000 mature pandas in the wild. I based this sculpture on a stock photo of a red panda atop a tree branch (red pandas love climbing and spending much of their time in trees). Seven different glaze types and colors were used, and no touch-up or acrylic paint was applied. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
I had intended for the tips of the branches to function as ring holders, but don't think this is practical as the ceramic surface would scratch the soft metal on the rings.
Wet clay model (I changed the shape of the ears and face before bisque fire)
The Silver Surfer - Herald of Galactus
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- Category: Sculptures
"Man? I am more than a man! I am the Silver Surfer! I am the Herald of Galactus!"
- The Silver Surfer's first words spoken in the Marvel Universe.
The brainchild of Jack Kirby, the Silver Surfer made his first appearance in 1966, in the issue of The Fantastic Four #48. The story goes that Kirby wanted to introduce a new character (without first consulting with Stan Lee) but also got tired of drawing space ships and decided to use a flying surfboard. (Kirby must have really hated drawing space ships because in the same issue, he literally cut and pasted stock photos of them!) Stan Lee liked Kirby's addition and later developed the back story of how Norrin Radd from Zen-La made his cursed sacrifice to become the Silver Surfer and slave to Galactus, the devourer of worlds. My motivation for sculpting the Silver Surfer was more mundane. I had ordered a couple of pints of Palladium glaze, initially for Batman; however, the glaze tests indicated it was too shiny for the Dark Knight. I immediately thought of the Silver Surfer, but had some reservations since he would need to be standing on his board (up to this point, all my subjects are either kneeling or sitting down). I settled on a pose that kept the center of gravity low and fairly balanced. Everything was fine until I absentmindedly picked him up from his torso after bisque firing. The weight of his board and base was too much for his ankles (which are also hollow) and he snapped off. The detachment points were however clean enough to apply some bisque cement, and he held enough in place for me to apply glaze. Unfortunately, the cement melted off during glaze firing and he came apart at the ankles inside the kiln, glaze-fusing him to the board and base sideways, and almost damaging the coils in the process. I was able to salvage the piece using a diamond tipped saw, repair putty, and acrylic paint. Most artists would have taken a hammer to it, but the Palladium glaze was just too glorious and mesmerizing as one can see from the pics below. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
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