I spent my last two classes re-working the shell mold idea I had back in the beginning. First, I tried to think about it as a functional piece and attempted to make a planting pot. The plan was to made a cylindrical wall with the inside pressed with shells. Then have a center mound as a positive shape to create a negative space in the plaster where the dirt and plant would go. The size got a little out of hand so I scaled down to more of a vase like shape but the end effect was still successful and exciting. The outer surface of the plaster had protruding shells and the inside could hold flowers, or paintbrushes or pencils, or....etc.
While I was waiting for the plaster to dry in the vase, I decided to make a couple more molds... I took another slab of clay and made indents with the shells and then left it flat to pour in plaster. The result was a hand full of plaster shell casts that look like the real thing at first glance. Some shells came out better than others. And obviously, they ended up with a completely flat side but I think that might open up an idea to then adhere them to a piece in the future. If I were to try this again, perhaps I could embed a screw in the back after I pour the plaster so it could later be screwed into a piece of wood or some similar surface. It wouldn't necessarily have to be shells either. I could make a mold of just about anything.
The final piece I worked on was more closely a redo of the original piece but we a more desired dimension. The problem that bothered me with the original was that it felt too flat. Even though there was good dimension with the shells, the base they were on was all pretty much the same level and the edges were too clearly defined in some spots. So in this final redo, I made sure my clay mold that I'd be pressing into had a nice level change and rounded edges. The result was a more natural looking formation of a shell cluster.
The next step is to hand paint the pieces similar to how I did the original shell piece. I might change up the colors on this a go a little more natural. Especially on the single shell casts to make them even more believable as real shells. The painting I'll have to do here in my own studio, which is just fine with me. But I'll have to figure out a solution for when I want to do more clay molds since I don't have the materials for that in my own studio. Unfortunately, I also missed spring class sign ups at Fleisher so I won't be taking a class there this spring but I'm hoping to keep my "class night" as my "studio night" instead. For now, I'll worry about painting the pieces I already have but I'll have to make sure I sign up for summer classes and maybe one with clay again. I want to explore the idea of vessels some more. I also want to learn more casting methods. I've been watching "Face Off," the competition show about movie makeup artists, and I really want to try the casting methods they use to make the face masks. It's exciting.
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