A little while back Kenji and I did a workshop with the wonderful staff at our local child care centre. They were really keen to find out more about clay and to experiment with different ways they might be able to use it with the kids. We’re no experts in this field so it was really a collaborative approach between them and us, using their knowledge of kids and our knowledge of clay. One of the things we showed them was how to make simple bowls and vessels using a slab of clay and a slump/hump mould. They were quite taken with this process and so a couple of days ago I made them a whole bunch of plaster moulds they could use with the kids.
I have a love hate relationship with plaster. So much can go right with it, but so much can go wrong with it too. But today when I went down into the studio and saw all the finished moulds on my workbench it was all about the love. There is an indescribable quality to plaster that sometimes just takes my breath away. A day or two after it has been cast, before it is completely dry, it has this amazing sheen to it and reflects a beautiful soft light. Its cool and so smooth and clean and white and I just want to hold it against my cheek! In my recent musings on process I have been toying with some new ideas of working with plaster as the end, rather than simply as the means to an end.
But for now these smooth little beauties are off to a different fate!!
7 comments:
It's a pity you can't eat out of the plaster bowls as their mat finish is so pure it's amazing. I make a few objects out of plaster and have the same love hate relationship as you! I admire your technique in being able to even make a bowl. I sort of slather it on to a base to make Christmas stars.
In any case, I was just dropping by to say I really admire your work (and as a consequence, your blog).
Ange
Lucky kids! They do look truly beautiful in their own right
hey i see your on the blogroll for the bloggers and stories show in the states, good to find you, cheers ang im in SA
YES YES YES PLEASE!!!! kitten tins, woo hoo.
love anna
I too have that love/hate relationship with plaster. I'm gearing up now to do a week of plaster work, but the thing that always bogs me down is knowing how carefully I will have to clean my studio afterwards...
Love your work and love your blog - are you ever coming back?
Sorry for my bad english. Thank you so much for your good post. Your post helped me in my college assignment, If you can provide me more details please email me.
Post a Comment