Fri, Jul 8th, 2011 Commissions are great. They move me in directions I would not automatically go.
This mural, for instance, is for Pam & Pat in Texas. It's a variation of my naturescape theme, but they wanted the dimensions vertical rather than horizontal. And...as part of my "I make 3, YOU select one", commission option, they wanted one with horses in it!
Ok, so I'm not one to draw literally, but I like imagery and I found some 'ancient cave paintings' of horses and thought it felt timeless and perfect for the project. I was going to try brushwork horses with my japanese brushes, but after practicing, I decided on this direction.
So, today I made option #2 with horses on it. I carved them and then did a sgrafitto technique where I backfill the carvings with black slip.
Here are some process shots. The first mural I made for Pam & Pat has already been bisque fired and is waiting for the glazing table. I have one more to make before I glaze all 3.
Just a note, one mural cracked in the kiln to the point where it was unrepairable, so Pam & Pat have just 2 to choose from. That's why I make so many, in case I run into inevitable issues that come up with clay. I think the problem was a kiln malfunction!
It's about a month later and all the pieces are glazed. The last few photos show the final result.
And the final image is the mural selected! Thanks Pat & Pam...this was a fun one.
