Having been working this new sculpture in stages, I feel it's well worthy of talking about. A working title is "Nature Goddess" because all of the components are mainly natural and the form is surreal feminine. I'm working with a paper clay here that dries very hard and has minimal impact upon the environment.
I began with a chunk of reclaimed marble stone. It had been a garden feature so is a bit brittle and worn. Centering the sculpture on a diagonal to the base allows for the most views of the lovely grain in the stone. I then used a strong adhesive to glue a pine dowel rod upright, and when that was dry I created a support base with the paper clay. While the lower portion dried I worked the upper torso in a similar manner, working back and forth until both ends were set nearly as shown. Then I added a few drops of water to some iron rich fine grain soil I'd collected from Arizona state. I kneaded the soupy mixture into some of the paper clay to then spread it down the tree like trunk of the sculpture. It dried rock hard and offers a lovely contrast to the natural tone of the paper clay; I don't plan on painting the entire piece.
Just last evening I work two additional areas of the sculpture. Wetting the older set clay, I then added a coil of fresh material to the flat back of the head. This portion was then pinched and moulded with fingers and tools to make a loose feather head dress. I enjoy the paper like texture and the way the feathers seem to be falling forward.
The second item added was the Dryad Saddle tree fungus. I'm very fond of how this is turning out, and will likely add a few smaller ones cascading down the base. As soon as the clay was dry I lightly glazed over the fungus (sometimes also called a conch) with a mix of burnt sienna and Liquitex fabric medium. The fluid medium soaks into the surface of the clay well and being thin allows the base tone of the clay to peek through. I certainly plan on dry brushing a bit more color in to make the fungus as realistic as possible while keeping in style with the entire sculpture. I don't plan on adding arms or limbs back on; She had arms at one point but I thought they distracted so I broke them off!
I look forward to sharing the progress of this piece with you all. Any comments or input is welcomed! To see a current selection of available assemblage sculpture, please visit my Etsy store http://www.treepruitt.etsy.com/
*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.
*Original art images ©Tree Pruitt, unless otherwise indicated. Contact the artist prior to ANY use or for purchase information.
Looks like it is progressing nicely
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