The Bird is done

I really liked how it came out the kiln. This bird will be part of my sculptural birds, the challenge of making it standing was really rewarding. I submitted it for a show, so for now I'll only show you a little part of him. 

Meanwhile I'll keep loading the kiln with more tiles and jewelry pieces. Even though switching from big to small can drive you crazy I realized both are as much as productive costwise. 

If you know of any art show where my birds could be a good fit, let me know! I'm opt for show him to the world. 

Sculpting a Standing Bird Demo

This is a work in progress for the first stage of making a standing bird on terracotta.

1. Prepared the base and holding support. Clay wouldn't hold itself on this case so a little help is needed. I used a styrofoam ball and wrapped it up with a wet rag. My support has 2 prongs, that's an idea I got from a book, it works so much better that way.

2. Wrapped the ball with clay and made the legs. Oh, Oh!, they are too long, unless I'm making a flamingo which is not the case this time.

 3. I modified the structure and shortened the legs, way better now. The head takes place.

4. The fun part starts, making feathers, swirls and details that will give character to the bird. I'm working so fast here to keep the same clay humidity.

5. Waiting for leather hard stage so I can cut open the piece to take his insides out and glue it back. Sorry no pictures from that stage, It was nerve racking and both hand were needed all the time.

6. The legs weren't dry enough to hold he weight so I decided to put it back to the structure and wait a little longer. I covered the parts that could dry up quicker to prevent uneven drying.

 7. Finally standing alone, now I'll wait for the perfect time to start carving the other details.

I hope you enjoyed this part of the process. I'll posting the rest soon.

Abandoning a piece of art

What a though decision, I think one of the most difficult I had ever made for an art piece. Just think, it's a piece of me left on who knows what hands...
Please don't let me feel bad about it, and for whatever reasons I'm taking this decision, at least in going to be on a gallery, maybe will be in their basement for decades or maybe will be donated for a good cause, who knows.

I had to publish this so you guys share my pain. This is the only picture I took of it. I love you and I'll miss you...

Not my usual artwork

Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone or do something different to entertain your mind. I decided to make my first terrariums. They might still look funky but I loved making them.

This was a challenging project because of the small opening of couple of the bottles. It turned out good, it's already raining inside! My little ecosystem is almost maintenance free, just what a busy artist-mom needs.

Blogging from my phone

Is it that what is going to take to keep updating my blog? I hope so. Now being always on the go and having very little time to sit in front of the computer this app might help.

I'm so rusty about talking here that I find myself frozen, not knowing what to say and in the same time with a lot of good news. I was telling my friends fellow artists who are stuck on unproductive days to get going by either taking small steps or taking a class so you are socially forced to do more and finish projects. Now this is my social commitment, my art is still going.

See you soon!

To Do List

Nothing better than make public your to do list to feel the pressure to get it done or just visualize your goals.
This is what I  need to do:

• Change my ugly banner using Photoshop this time
• Finish framing my pastel paintings
• Go 100% papeless office, now I'm 70% not bad
• Pick up old work an replace it with new stuff
• Sikiu, you should teach a class again!
• Update my website
• Keep up with good work and not let anybody to bother you :)

This is good for now.

Love to com back,

Sikiu

Gone shopping

I do all my shopping online, even my groceries, now I'm trying to find some supplies but the page is not opening, maybe it's a sign saying Don't do it! but I really want those kiln bead racks, new glazes and professional brushes. Do you see? I'm not talking about shoes and make up.
By the way, I wonder why my updates here aren't going to my Facebook fan page hmmm I need to fix this issue soon.

The ugliest plaster molds

I'm not ashamed or frustrated, let's say I found it funny. I can't recall how many years of experience I have making plaster molds for my work, this time I just made the ugliest ever. Tomorrow they should be dry enough for their first run and I hope the bad corners won't give too much of  trouble. Why I made them like this? because of the lack of time between feedings. Motherhood is not easy, I'm lucky enough to have few minutes of peace to work. When you are rushing you tend to forget important steps of what your are making, like protecting the original piece from humidity and remembering to seal the corners well.

mini tile mold for my Etsy

Another little job finished this weekend is my husband's website, take a look here the logo was my biggest challenge because I wasn't familiar with Adobe Illustrator but loved learning while making it.

Dear Blog I haven't forgotten you

It seems I'll posting every other month when used to be every other day! I definitely have a lot to share but my hands are always busy with something. I wish my words just type direct from my thoughts. We are still in 2010, maybe Apple will make an application someday LOL.

Art-wise I'm making some beads in glazed terra-cotta, maybe a big production will make me rich, or maybe not but at least my fingers are waking up from the carpal tunnel and my brain from a dormant stage.

2010 © Sikiu Clay Designs 

This is my logo, finally decently made in Photoshop. I made it during class and now I'm working on my husband's for his web site and prints. You see? I haven't been totally inactive, just busy of being a mom. 

Still creating art

Because I haven't post here in a while, doesn't mean I had stopped working. I have actually being busier than ever. To enumerate few of my most recent activities:

1. For a two months exhibition May-June in Indigenous Gallery in Cincinnati Ohio.
2. The stations of the cross, commissioned work for a church in Clinton, CT.
3. Two miniature sculptures at the Alexey Von Schlippe Gallery in the beautiful coast of Groton Long Point. Exhibiting until July.

And my most precious piece of art is a my baby boy Brandon. I love being a mother again, he is just perfect and my biggest inspiration. 

I'm waiting for my carpal tunel due to pregnancy to go away, then to start modeling again; I need my fingertips to feel textures again, please!