 While the deviant medium of wire mesh has become the source from which all my sculptures stem, behind the busy scenes and screens of the mesh, I often indulge in the soft and smooth hobby of clay. Needless to say - the two mediums could not be further apart. To begin with, when sculpting in wire mesh, by my rule of thumb, all details need be pre determined and thought through. Abiding to the principle of consumption - detailed areas require more material, thus the amount of mesh allocated for each segment must be carefully planned. Once at work, unlike clay, no substance can be added, removed or reworked. Although both mediums are malleable in their own right, don’t let the mesh fool you – it has a memory, thus it will never resume form after embedding a crease or line. The price of a mistake is usually discarding the old and starting anew. However, while clay may be more forgiving in it’s raw state… the consequences of its many variables - low fire, high fire, shrinkage, kiln placement, uncontrollable glazes… all these and more have the power to materialize both the best and worst of our anticipations. To be able to predict your final piece is near impossible and I am in awe of the masters that do so.   One of these fine artists is Renee Chase, who bravely puts her combined talent and professional experience to the mercy of clay. Albiet the odds, somehow Renee seems to effortlessly whisk through this trail of obstacles commanding the most mesmerizing sculptures of predesigned dresses and gowns. While her online gallery speaks for itself, http://cloth2clay.com/ there is nothing like seeing her piece before you. For any NJ shore travelers, make sure to visit her group exhibit this weekend n Brigantine, NJ. In my last clay endeavor I joined Renee and my fellow clay mates in a raku firing, which despite the heat, dirt and tedious tasks, proved to be an amazing experience (so much so that I look forward to it again!). Below are some pics from our Raku firing day...   (L) Some of our pieces waiting to be fired... (R) pieces being loaded into kiln Below - (L) Preparing to fire; (center) The heat is on; (R) Digging holes to place for the fired pieces...      (L)uncovering fired pieces, the orange glow is non other than the heat contained within! Below: (L) placed in the hole for fast reduction; (Center) dipping burning hot pieces in cold water; (R) My fired torso, cooling down...    To follow my small piece through it’s phases from wet clay to a sizzling body of fire, was a process of time, patience and mostly, as for many of us, sheer luck. Still, there is something therapeutic and addictive in this mass field of exploration which, for some, will always bring us back for more! |
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