Clay, Glorious Clay

I'm mixing paper mache clay daily right now trying to get an inventory of bases and head blanks dried so I can begin the detail work on planned pieces.  I love mixing the clay in ziplock bags so that I can knead the paper mache without having an inch of material sticking to my fingers as I work.  I also have to admit I use a bag so that I can toss it on the floor, take a shoe off and use my foot to do part of the kneading since breaking a wrist several years ago.  It helps save the wrist power for the final kneading.

See why I call it clay?  It reminds me of a stoneware or earthenware clay texturally at this point, and essentially any ceramic building technique can also be used with this paper mache clay.

Here are a few of the figures in progress since the forms don't look like much at this point.  Arms need to be added, bodies built, boots added, etc.

The clay and my computer keyboard are not compatible (the dried chips like to hide under the keys) so I'll be off of the computer again most of this week. 

Hope you enjoyed a quick look!
Laurie

Moritmer is Done!

"Valentine Jester, Mortimer Monkey", is finished!  The final brown glazing was completed yesterday so it is time to take his final photographs and get him ready for shipping.

This was a fun week to take photographs of his progression and share the process with you.  Thank you for joining in the fun!

Off to go finish his photographs, and then it is back in the studio to work on another piece today. 

Have a great weekend!
Laurie

Day 3 Monkey WIP Update

The little jester monkey holding a heart is almost finished so this is a look at the conclusion of day three’s painting.  I have some final glaze detailing to finish under the edge of his garment and a few touch ups and I think he will be done today.  

Lots of little details on this fellow including many tiny painted hearts inside of hearts bordering his garment plus a few on his jester hat.  I've enjoyed sharing the progress of painting with you and hope to have one final shot later today or tomorrow to show him in his finished state. 

The sun is shining so I’m off to go paint…have a great weekend all!

Laurie