 |  Sculptures by Annette McCarter Clay as a sculpting medium is a liberating art form, giving the sculptor freedom to experiment, further their artistic growth, and expand their creative abilities. In the photo above, you are viewing a more non-conventional method of sculpting where the artist takes a large ball of clay and forms the shape from the outside. Later, after the clay has dried to a leather-hard consistency, the inside of the sculpture is hollowed out with a loop tool. After the pieces were slowly and completely dried they were glazed and fired in a wood kiln to cone 10, making them impervious to outside elements such as heat from the sun, rain, and cold temperatures. This isn't the best method, as the pieces are prone to cracking while drying and firing, because of the variations in thickness of walls. | |
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In “Figure A” Charles Burton forms his piece by pinching and hand manipulating the clay. The piece is molded and hollow inside with a vint in the bottom for air to circulate as it dries and for the firing process, which will come after the piece is throughly dried.
“Figure B,” another piece by Burton, is first formed on the potter’s wheel and later molded by hand to form interesting shapes and designs in the walls of the vase. After these two pieces dry throughly, they may be directly glazed and fired, or bisque fired, glazed, & fired again. Other methods suitable to the properties of good clay sculpture building include coiling and slab work. An example of a slab-built stoneware sculpture by David Porter in "Figure C" is shown below. Ideally your pieces should have a consistent wall thickness of no greater than 1/2 inch thick and be dried slowly under a loose plastic tarp.  Figure C If you are interested in learning more and attending classes or workshops for beginner to advanced levels in sculpting, contact Dave Porter at the Raven Center For the Arts. | |
Article by Annette McCarter
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