Things I'm working on...Ok, who changed the format?

Has Blogger changed the format? Or did I mess up my settings last time I was here?

I was just going to post some photos of pieces I'm working on... and everything here has changed.
Note: The blog looks the same to view, but the screens for updating and creating the actual blog has changed.

 I've been in my studio for about 10 hours, making a couple of pieces with my new Plainsman clay.
Finally have some photos to add. It's midnight, my eyes feel as gritty as my hands, and I'm too tired to be amused by the totally different look, but will just muddle my way through and hope for the best.
I'm listening to Susan Jacks... in case you're interested.

(I started these birds last weekend)

Made a small bear head, wallhanging...

I love the way his mouth turned out 

When hanging on the wall, this is how he'll look.

And I made a dog vase...

front view

side view

(Update- March 27/12-He's ready for a first firing and 

I've decided on a glaze ... it's called "Dalmation" how fitting.)

Update- May 15/12- see him finished and fired.

 That's how my day off was... fun :)

I'm off again tomorrow too, just not sure what to make next... 

(Update: I like this new format- especially for adding photos, now that I've tried it a couple of times :)

My horse needs a home.

Watching the snow (dropping from the trees, tumbling puffs, knocking off more on lower branches, and landing with a thump by the time they reach the ground.)

It was a good time to come back inside and finish my little horse.

I did his eyes and some touch ups, this morning, but need the paint to dry completely, for the next step. (Note the paintbrush in this photo... I made it myself, from horse hair.)

At last, I've finished my little Horse sculpture. He'll need another coat or two of clear gloss over the next couple of days, but I can consider him complete.

To see his "in progress" photos click here "Horse with no name" .

Now all he needs is a loving home. Contact me if you're interested, or you can wait and hope that I list him in my Etsy shop :)

Update: Sorry, he's sold.

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 5

To see previous in progress photos. Part 4

Well, it's New Year's eve, and I really wanted to finish this bird, so

after a lot of procrastinating, I set my mind to it.

I added highlights to his feet, wings and tail...then painted his eyes.

It's so hard to get the eyeballs "just right", but I think I got it.

I'll take better photos tomorrow (in natural light), and then give him a

couple of clear coats, to protect the paint job. Not sure if I should give

him a satin, or matt finish...

Here's the underside... I carved my signature on his foot.

What a perfect way to say goodbye to 2011, finishing the details on

one of my best clay pieces, ever. (It also reminded me that I have a horse

that's still waiting to be painted- he's next.)

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 2

Click here to see part 1.

Day 2.

December 18, 2011

(working In the living room).

Still in leather state, after waiting

4 days in a plastic bag.

One wing attached.

I cut a hole in the body, where I'll attach the

other wing. This way the clay won't be too thick

in those parts.

Wings attached.

Here's a short video where I place his eyes on.

He's ready to dry -slowly in an open plastic bag,

so he doesn't crack.

Ready to dry, so I can give him a fine sanding

to smooth out the unwanted bumps. Then I can

fire him in my electric kiln.

Big bird clay figure- in progress photos. Part 1

I've been asked to make a ceramic bird,

to replace one that had a mortal accident.

So I'm taking pictures as I go...

Wed. Dec. 14, 2011

I didn't realize this is all the clay I have. I

hope it's enough! Time to get another block.

Making the head.

The beak, attached to the head.

Here's the head and body.

I've got the basic shapes made, the body, head,

feet and wings. Now to assemble them.

After working on him for about 4 hours, I've got the head, beak, body and tail

assembled. (I've used the feet to hold him up, but they're not actually attached yet.)

It's a good stopping point. The clay needs to rest, and so do I. However he'll have to

wait 3 or 4 days before I'll have time to continue with him.

I'll wrap him loosely in plastic, so he doesn't dry out in that time.

I need the clay to stay in a leather state, in order to add his wings, feet and eyes.

Click here to see Part 2.

A horse with no name

I've always loved horses, and have often thought

about making a sculpture of one.

It's time to stop thinking about it and just doing it...so

I started this clay horse sculpture- over a week ago.

(It's too bad I didn't take photos from the start, but I'm sure

you know what a round ball of clay looks like. That's how it

started.)

I made the legs and hooves first, by rolling out tubes of clay. I formed

the head, added ears and then covered them in plastic so they wouldn't dry

out. Later, I rolled out a slab of clay & formed the body from it.

A couple of days later, I made the neck and assembled all the pieces.

Added the mane, bangs and tail.

(I made him sitting down, as he's going to have a little friend, a bunny,

mouse, snail ?...I'm not sure yet, but I'll be making that soon.)

Here it is a couple more days, and I've been doing touch ups here and there,

and now I can let the piece dry... VERY slowly, with a few more touchups.

Once he's completely dry, I'll carefully clean any rough spots and sponge off

any excess dust, markings, etc.

Then I'll carve my initials in the bottom, and he'll be ready for his first firing.

(Cone 04 bisque firing) Which will take about 8 or so hours, and then

need to cool overnight.

I have a nice light brown (underglaze for bisque) that I plan to use for his coat.

I'll let some of the natural clay show on his belly, it has a nice creamy color.

Then I'll cover him with 2 coats of clear glaze and let it all dry & fire him again,

to Cone 06 this time.

As long as I don't do something stupid and break him while he's still greenware,

he should turn out pretty good!

I'll have to make some other pieces to fire with him, so it may be a while

before he gets fired.

***************************************

Feb 10/10 update:

In case you're wondering... he's finally completely dry, and I've spent quite a bit of time, softening his features. As I've gently cleaned (sanded) his rough edges, he's evolving into

a gentle and curious young horse. I love his round backside view,

but his soft nose and mane have turned out nice too. He's almost ready for his 1st firing, but not likely to happen in the next few weeks.

While he patiently waits, I've got major stress at work to deal with. Sometimes reality bites, this is one of those times... my clay will be an escape.

*********************

Jan 20/12

This poor little guy has been waiting so patiently... I fired him last year (2011). I was going to glaze and then fire him again, but it's going to be a while before I have enough pieces ready to do a glaze firing, so I've started painting him instead.

One of the girls at work suggested I make him a "Paint" horse. I'm not very savvy about horses, but I like the idea, so I looked up photos of paint horses and got to work... he is ... almost finished...