my sculpture class

I am so excited about the sculpting class that I am doing April 2-4 in Sedona, AZ!  The people are wonderful, the location is stunning, and the students are always fabulous!  It has become my favorite place to teach workshops!  I always love teaching the 3 day workshop because students begin on Friday with wet clay, and on Sunday we are firing their finished sculptures to take home.  They are always so excited and inspired about what they are able to accomplish in only three days!  For more info about the workshop, click here...and stay tuned for the paperclay workshop in Tuscany in September of 2011!

I had the most amazing experience a few weeks ago...I was a speaker and participant at the international Paperclay Symposium in Laguna Beach!

When I told my teaching colleague that I was invited to speak at the international paperclay symposium in Laguna Beach on February and 7, he laughed. He was surprised that there was enough interest in paperclay to have a symposium, much less an international one.

Within the long history of ceramics, the use of paperclay to create art or functional ware is in its infancy. Experiments in using paperclay to create three dimensional art began in the 70’s. More widespread use of paperclay did not begin until the 90’s and later as Rosette Gault and Graham Hay began to write, teach, and educate others. They found that this gave clay almost magical properties: The ability to add wet clay to dry, dry to dry, and even wet clay to bisque. It created pieces that were shockingly strong when green and allowed works to be fired more quickly and even left raw. The beginning of the paperclay movement is due, almost exclusively to the dedication that these two have had in experimenting, writing, and teaching about this medium.

The Paperclay Today symposium was truly international. Artists arrived from Australia, Wales, Italy, England, Montreal, and of course from all over US. Held in Laguna Beach California, the setting and enthusiasm of the organizer Linda Saville brought all of us here to connect, share, and to be inspired.

I fire my sculptures with large metal spikes embedded in them to strengthen the elongated thin legs. That’s why I use paperclay. In attending this conference, I was amazed at all the other ways this medium can be used to create fine art. For some paperclay is a way to create cutting edge contemporary art installations, for others it is a way to create the thinnest, most delicate and fine porcelain work that I have ever seen. For all us, it is a way to overcome the limitations of regular clay and to allow our own creativity while maintaining the relationship with the medium that we all love best: clay.

Paperclay is under-represented in the world of ceramics. Perhaps it is because of the love for the rich functional tradition of ceramics. Or maybe it is because those who have been trained in traditional ceramics are all too familiar with the disasters that occur when one does not understand what can and cannot be done with clay. Paperclay opens the door to new ways of looking at and thinking about clay. It does not take away from the function or the history; it just adds more possibilities for all of us.

The Paperclay Today Symposium was just a beginning. From lengthy conversations during the symposium, I know that this core group of Paperclay artists is ready to join Rosette and Graham to bring this wonderful medium to the attention of art collectors, artists, museums and galleries around the world. After what I saw last weekend, there is no doubt: it really is time. You can see images form the symposium here.

If you are looking for a 2010 calendar that will inspire you , check out my new calendar here!  If you order before December 31st and put in the code "HUMBUG" you will get 10%off.  Each month has a different sculpture pictured. Perfect for those that enjoy my sculpture but are not in an economic position to buy it right now.

If you have ever wanted to try sculpting or are looking for a new medium, I have  the workshop for you!  My new ceramic clay that does not need to be fired will be introduced  as well as the three day sculpture workshop that culminates in a raku firing.  I will teach both cold finishing echniques (for unfired work) as well as raku  firing.  The Sedona Art Center is a wonderful place and one of my favorite places to teach!  The staff is fabulous the location is nothing shrt of inspriational.  Please Join Me!!

I have to admit I am really excited about this book!  It will be released next week, and looks to be an absolutely beautiful book with 97 sculptors from the Rocky Mountain Region.  It is filled with the work and words of friends and colleagues of mine...all of whom I respect and admire greatly!  I was told I am the first artist featured in the book.  For the Christmas season, I am working with my galleries to give away a book with each sculpture purchase.  I addition will will be participating in some book signing celebrations.  If you would like to purchase this book from me, let me know. If you are in the US, I'd be happy to sign a copy and send it to you with free shipping.

Chris learned a great way to improve her sculptures last weekend, and she shared it with everyone in the workshop.  You see, she was taking the course for the second time because whe sculpure she made the first time shattered in her suitcase.  She enjoyed the course so much, and she wanted to do the sculpture again, so she figured she come back.  The second sculpture she made was so much better than the first.  After leaving the technique and using it once, she had a better handle on how to create the feeling that she wanted in the piece.  The first piece was nice, the second one was really, really lovely.

I sculpt pieces over and over again.  I take the aspects that I like from each previous piece into the next one.  It was so clear in Chris' work, and it is a great reminder to me to tell my students.  Do it over and over again.

Do you wish you could find good instruction on portrait sculptureor sculpting faces? This book by Philippe Faraut is the best book Ihave ever seen on the subject. Although it is expensive ($58) it isworth every penny. Philippe's workshops are usually over $700, so thisbook is a steal. The images and explanations are excellent, and you canuse it as a resource for years to come. I own the book, and see it as amust add to any artist's collection. Click on the book for the link to buy.

Three day sculpting workshop beginning with wet clay and finishing with a fired raku sculpture that you can take home with you... next weekend at the Sedona Art Center.  You will  learn my sculpting techniques, tips, and I will be there for three days to answer any questions you have.  Check it out...it is always a blast!  Anyone from basic beginner to sculpting expert can benefit from it.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Are you curious about how we create bronze sculpture? Art Castings is the foundary that cast and installed the 12.8 ft bronze sculpture "Peace" that is in Evergreen Colorado.  They have an excellent webpage that explains the bronze casting process, complete with video.  If you have ever aske "How do they make bronze sculpture?"  Click here for the answer!

Dina took my Sedona class in April.  We met previously at a class given by Graham Hay in Pheonix.  Since Dina has her own studio, and is really a clay expert on her own, she took my class as an opportunity to try  a project that she had been dreaming about for a while.

To see the step-by -step instructions on how she created this awesome kiln fish, click on the picture.