New Face

Here is my latest face.  I almost scraped it and recycled the clay.  It was a head study with a model but looks nothing like the model at all.  I called it a country song entitled "I don't know who the Hell I was looking at but it surely wasn't you!"  But once I cut the head off the neck flattened the back and smoothed out what was left of the neck it will serve as a great book end.The flowers look like gardenias but were really suppose to be roses.  So compromise is the word of the day.

My first small head.

After having so much trouble with a small head my teacher Robin gave a small head tutorial and this is my results.  It looks much better then my last but I still need work.  It was originally a small bust but I cut the head off as I don't care of busts.  So I'm on my way to learning small faces.

A new lighter challenge.

I didn't do well with the whole piece a week challenge for many reasons: two arm injuries, busy summer with kids, low motivation.  Last week at class I struggled so much with a face that I really need to focus on faces or my work won't improve.  So the new birthday challenge is to do a small face a week.  Just the face.  I got a new puppy and it will be a busy summer again but here's hoping I get everything finished and improve to another level.

New piece number 18.

This piece started as a full figure from a model.  I caught a cold and missed the last session with the model so I just cut the legs off and the arms and made a torso.  It's a small piece only about 6 inches tall but I really like this size.  Perhaps I'll make more torsos this size as it was really fun to sculpt.

Sculpture 17

Over Christmas my fave mouse went flying and smashed on the cement floor.  So I made a new mouse.

The first sculpture of 2016.

Here is another face box that  brings my challenge total up to 16.  I'm extending my challenge until the end of the year.  I want to get used to daily studio work even when I'm not in the mood.  Also my first finished piece of 2016.

Sculpture number 15.

I've had a very productive month which is unusual for the holiday season.  My shoulder is just about 100% and I'm working on getting my elbow back into shape.  I have some great ideas I want to explore and I'm recommitted to pursuing sculpture and my challenge.  For awhile there I was ready to give up as my elbow hurt I had next to no studio time at home.  Now I'm over the dark thoughts and ready to be creative again.

Sculpture 14 A small box.

Lucky Sculpture 13

I've had a good week and finished several pieces.  With this head rather then let if be a head that just sits there I made it into a box.  I used to make lots of boxes but stopped.  I think I'd like to make them again.

Sculpture 12

I'm getting back on track.  My elbow is feeling better.  I'm up to date with finishing sculpture.  I think December will be a great month.

Sculpture 10 and 11

Sculpture Number 9

I just finished the Walrus Rider.  My younger daughter likes Walrus.  While we were sitting around on the back porch talking about animals and it came to me to do a sculpture of a girl riding a walrus.  At first she was going to be barefoot while wearing an evening gown.  After tossing around ideas the sculpture told me it had to  wear a parka, boots and mittens.

Sculpture Number 8

At last another post.  I included a photo of the piece while I was still working on it with the model in the background.  I love the way my piece came out but I don't think it looks like the model. After finishing this we got lessons on making our own glazes.  I've been attending a figurative sculpture class in Chicago at Lill Street now for 2 years.  I've learn so much and improved so much.  Before class this week I just felt down with no time to sculpt with the kids activities and before that my injury.  I was not able to keep up my personnel challenge and thought perhaps it would be easier to just get a job or read my book.  I was not happy with this piece at first but after spending time yesterday I've changed my mind.  I need to work more and the kids are almost back in school so I'll have more time.  But the bottom line is I won't always have the most perfect time to sculpt so I need to learn to sculpt during the inconvenient off moments.

Sculpture Number 7

My shoulder is better so I'm back at work.  I lost an entire month which upsets me but I'm determined to completed my challenge to myself.  Making a large volume of work is really the only way to get better.  I've already seen improvement.  This piece is the Goddess in crone form.  I don't really want to sculpt barbie dolls.

Some Finished Work.

I'm getting back into the swing of things.  With physical therapy and the kid responsibilities I'm not getting back into the studio like I wanted to.  It will come.  I had someone inquiry if the above bust was for sale.  When I sent the price, size and shipping they lost interest but at least I'm starting to get people interested.  Until next time....

Sculpture Number 6

I'm back after a month long absence due to a shoulder injury.  I though I had a rotary cuff tear but its just inflammation and well .....  I was not happy sitting around and not getting into the studio.  I missed a whole month. I felt like I was letting myself down after making the big public announcement of my challenge.  I guess challenges have to go on despite injury.  So here I am back to work.  This piece is from a model at class.  I'm not really a big fan of busts but they are good face practice.  Generally I cut the face off and collect them but this time I left it on its base.  I'm not sure what I'll do with it but its finished and I'm posting and I'm back.  Today that's all that matters.