Blue Jay

 

The blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae, native to eastern North America. It lives in most of the eastern and central United States. Their vibrant coloration is not derived from pigments but is the result of light interference due to the internal structure of the feathers, which if crushed would appear a dull brown. Blue jays, along with magpies and ravens are my favorite corvids. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay

Wet clay model

Hercules and the Hydra

 

The legendary tale of Hercules and the Hydra offers some interesting parallels with the current COVID-19 pandemic. In his second labor, Hercules (Heracles) was tasked to slay the Lernaean Hydra, an invincible beast with multiple heads (nine typically depicted in classic art) that breathed poisonous fumes. Hercules wore a cloth mask to protect himself and proceeded to battle the beast with his club and sword. And much like the corona virus, defeating the beast proved stubbornly difficult as whenever Hercules severed one head, another regenerated. Ultimately Hercules was able to conquer the serpentine monster with the help of his cousin who cauterized the stumps as he cut off each head. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.

 

Hercules and the Hydra

 

Hercules and the Hydra

 

Hercules and the Hydra

 

Hercules and the Hydra

 

Hercules and the Hydra

 

Hercules and the Hydra

 

Hercules and the Hydra

Wet clay model

Swan Lake Ballerina 

Swan Lake was a ballet composed by Tchaikovsky in 1875–76, about a prince that falls in love with a beautiful maiden named Odette who has been cursed into the body of a swan and is only able to take her human form at night by the enchanted lake. As this is an original tale developed for the ballet, I modeled a ballerina in a classic Attitude stance. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

 

Swan Lake Ballerina

Wet clay model

Leo Bowl

 

Augusts are for Leos. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.

 

Leo Bowl

 

Leo Bowl

 

Leo Bowl

 

Leo Bowl

 

Leo Bowl

 

Leo Bowl

 

Leo Bowl

Wet clay model

Juliet Rose

 

The Juliet Rose is an apricot colored English rose bred by David Austin and reputedly one of the most expensive flowers in the world. This flower box was a commissioned wedding gift and took me three attempts to successfully sculpt. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.

 

Juliet Rose

 

Juliet Rose

 

Juliet Rose

Wet clay model