Malanda Dairy Centre, Wordless Wednesday. 07/07/2010
Tree Stump, Sculpture, at lakes Entrance. 04/10/2010
 Lakes Entrance Avenue of Honour WWI Memorial Statues  'In 1924 an avenue of Monterey Cypress trees was planted along the Esplanade to commemorate the 26 local men who lost their lives during World War I. Over the years the odd tree had been removed for various reasons and in 1997 the East Gippsland Shire Council, unaware of their original significance, planned to remove the remainder. Their decision caused considerable controversy within the community. Following a public campaign by the Lakes Entrance Regional Historical Society the trunks of six of the trees have been preserved and transformed into memorial sculptures by chainsaw artist John Brady.  Brady carved the stump of one tree into a sea captain to reflect the community's early pioneers and to commemorate the loss of ships and lives at Lakes Entrance. The sculpture proved so popular that it was decided to utilise the other tree stumps in the same way and local businesses sponsored the carving of the five other stumps which represent a World War I soldier, a wounded soldier with a donkey, a World War I nurse, Simpson* helping two wounded soldiers and a family waiting for Dad. The sculptures are waxed and oiled constantly to preserve the wood.' The Avenue of Honour and the WWI Memorial Statues were rededicated on 1 May 1999 by Peter McGauran, Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation. The sculptures shown here Inscriptions carved on tree sculptures Mariner CARVED BY JOHN BRADY NOV 1998 Family WAITING FOR DAD CARVED BY JOHN BRADY FEB 1999 A comment from a tourist viewing the sculpture of the family was that ‘back then women were concerned that they would lose their children to childhood illness, or die in childbirth themselves, they never needed to concern themselves, about dieting or diet pill side effects, they had real life and death situations to be concerned about and how much easier it is today when men and women are concerned about management of life’s excesses.' She had a good point. We are fortunate in that it is the poor management of an affluent lifestyle that is now one of our greatest risks, a luxury that the everyday man or woman of the era depicted in these sculptures, would not have known. Soldier WWI SOLDIER by JOHN BRADY MAY 1998  Sand Castle Sculpture at Lakes Entrance. 04/09/2010
  How to build a sand Sculpture A lot of work goes into making a good sand sculpture. Sculptors need patience and endurance to create their masterpieces from thousands of tonnes of sand. They can take up to two months to build and span up to 10 metres in height. Sculptors use a special kind of sand that is also used on building sites and was most likely used in the foundations of your home. It is called heavy sand and is different to the sand you see on the beach because each grain is square, which means it sticks together better, like building blocks. The sand on the beach is smoother and rounder so it doesn’t stay together quite as well. Some beaches are located near the mouths of rivers have better sand for sculpting as it isn’t worn down by the surf. The most important part of making a sand sculpture is the preparation, or what sculptors call “pound up”. Pound up involves building wooden walls in a square or rectangle shape. These walls are called “forms” and are about two feet tall. After the forms are built they are filled with sand, like a giant sandpit, right to the top. When the forms are full, sculptors set to work making sure that the sand is pounded down as hard as possible by whacking it, jumping on it and watering it. Water is REALLY important; the water helps the sand stick together and helps it to set hard as it dries out. Successive forms are built on top of the first and compacted down so that eventually you have what looks a bit like a wooden pyramid of forms, as high as is required, all filled to the brim with sand that has been pushed down into them. When pounding up a couple of thousand tonnes of sand, this process can take weeks but care is very important because if the sand isn’t compacted hard enough the sculpture might collapse later. After the sand has had time to set the sculptors climb up, take off the top form, and begin to carve into the sand block left behind.  Coordinating the supplies and set up of a sand sculpture being created in public as a fund raising project, l must be huge, admin jobs, it is art project on a large scale and I take my cap off to those in Lakes Entrance who have organised this sand castle sculpture. When you are on the beach this summer you might not have the time (or equipment!) to make forms but a bucket is the next best thing. Fill your bucket with sand that is damp, not too wet and not too dry but somewhere in between is best, then push the sand down as hard as you can into the bucket. Be careful of the strength of your bucket because too much pressure can crack it just as forms sometimes do when too much pressure is exerted on them. Once you are happy with your pound up, find a good spot on the beach, flip your bucket over and very carefully remove it, leaving the sand behind on the ground. Now you have the beginnings of your sculpture. If you want to go the extra step ask your parents if they have an old bucket that they can cut the bottom out of, that way you can start with your bucket upside down and fill the sand in from the top. This allows you to build up on top of each layer that you pound up with cups and containers like the professionals do with their smaller forms.  Now the fun part - carving. Carving gives the sculpture all of its detail and character. You can use almost anything to carve and most of the professional sculptors actually use cooking and dental utensils. You better ask your parents before you start using their icing scraper at the beach though. There are loads of tools you can use to help you carve out a work of art from icy-pole sticks to house keys (again you better ask before you try that one) and even water pistols can be used to cut a hole through the middle of your pile. Try to visualise what you want to carve out before you get started and then go wild! If you can get one, a water spray bottle is a great idea to have handy while you are carving to keep the sand damp. Every once in a while, give your sculpture a couple of sprays so it doesn’t dry out. The rest is up to you. Try using stuff you find on the beach like sea shells and sea weed.    “'Here comes the Judge", a sculpture by Steve Wolfe This piece of public art work was funded through the generous sponsorship of Mitchell Shire Council, Seymour Goulburn Lions Club, Seymour Business and Tourism, “'Here comes the Judge", a sculpture by Steve Wolfe This piece of public artwork was funded through the generous sponsorship of Mitchell Shire Council, Seymour Goulburn Lions Club, Seymour Business and Tourism,    Clay Figurative Sculpture 12/29/2009
   The clay sculptures in these photos, were once in my home and treasured by me, they were gifted to a family member when we downsized. Clay sculpture is too heavy to 'move on with', in a downsized life. They still bring me pleasure to see them when I visit and I have included here an extensive list of websites for figurative, clay sculpture studios, for your browsing pleasure. Clay sculpture was an art form I began as a child, loved and achieved professional award winning status in, and it was a retail success for me, alongside my paintings, at exhibitions. It ceased to be useful once my exhibitions became far spread around Australia, the fired clay works being too heavy for easy transport. Giving way to the wishes of my partner Ii introduced teddy bears as my second line, instead of my sculpture and this began a decade of soft fabric sculpture, teddy bears selling along side my art, something I loathed. Reg has finally come to understand how offencive teddy bears were to me, as a side line to fine art. As a non artist, he never quite understood how I could not feel a teddy bear was equal in any way to having created and a sculpture from clay, with one's own hands. lol, :-). I am sure artists will understand, though my feelings may offend teddy bear lovers. I just have never seen myself as a craft-er nor do I think I do craft well. Art is my field. Ceramic figurative sculpture is an art form I will always admire and understand the skill required to bring it through to a successful completed piece. I had a full ceramic art studio, everything the potter sculptor could desire, I was able to finance the beginnings of my ceramic studio and some quality tuition at Monash university and at Walkers Ceramics, through the sales of my paintings. I sold all the contents of this ceramic studio that had served me well during my active exhibition years, three years ago. It was a painful parting at the time but I needed to realize that this part of my life was non-compatible with downsizing and carer duties. I have since filled the creative gap that pottery sculpture left in my life with more creative writing, so a new version of me has emerged, one that fits in with my downsized, touring lifestyle and is very compatible with my carer duties. I am currently reclining on a sofa, writing, and Reg is beside me doing his Sudaku in the comfort of his armchair. I am able to sell my writing on line; never needing to leave my man’s side to do that, sculpture was a passion that suited a different phase of my life. Websites for Ceramic, Figurative Sculptors. A Guide To Figurine Sculpture A must have resource for ceramic sculpture enthusiasts - featuring free clay sculpting tips and tutorials from Royal Worcester and Coalport master sculptor, Peter Holland. http://www.figurines-sculpture.com Clark, Claire An exhibit of her multifaceted sculpture, showing how she sculpts in a variety of themes. http://www.newyorkartworld.com/gallery/clark.html Clay Images Wheel thrown and hand built whimsical stoneware - oil lamps, incense burners, drinking vessels, etc. http://www.clayimages.com Daniel Allen Figurative ceramics. http://www.danielallen.net Dave Kellum The amazing clay works of Dave Kellum. Figurative ceramics. http://www.davekellum.com Daga Design, Fine Art Ceramics Specializing in unique and stylized animal sculptures for collecting, home decor, and awards. Building on a history going back more than 40 years. http://www.dagadesign.com David Cleverly Ceramics Decorative earthenware. Iconic figures and animals, Made individually using joined clay slabs, which are then modeled, covered with semi-porcelain slip and bright painted underglaze colours. http://www.david-cleverlyceramics.co.uk Farrell , Nancy The virtual gallery of painting and sculpture created by Nancy Farrell. View the artists work as well as personal information and artist appearances. http://www.nancyfarrell.com Hicks, Susan Uses ceramic and mixed media to create figurative sculpture with a prophetic edge. http://susanhicks.faithweb.com Innis, Frances Sculpture of famous figures in clay and plaster. http://www.sbweb.com/sculptures Jennifer E Lucht, Ceramic Sculpture One-of-a-kind, hand built figurative ceramic sculpture and wall hangings. http://www.jlucht.com Judy Onofrio This work is narrative figurative sculpture, often self-portraiture or stories that come out of my daily existence with a little fantasy thrown in. They are mosaic- encrusted assemblages with seeming thousands of disparate elements, that some how come together as a whole. http://www.judyonofrio.com Jan Rentenaar Figurative ceramic sculpture. http://www.columbia-center.org/legendaryart LuAnne Tackett Simpson This body of work refers to that sacred place within ourselves to which we retreat and where we are able to look inward with new eyes. http://www.luannesimpson.com Large Scale Narrative Ceramic Sculpture This award winning large scale ceramic sculpture explores complex levels of memory through chair and figure forms that are layered with personal, historical and cultural imagery. http://www.deborahraelbuckley.com/ Linda Lewis, Narrative Sculptures in Clay Figurative sculptures from clay with earthy, textural surfaces. The sculptures are often witty & contemplative depictions of ordinary people. http://Lindalewisart.com Linda Ganstrom Near life-scale figures created from body cast molds. Installation settings. Beautiful and meaningful. http://www.geocities.com/lindaganstrom Marlene Ferrell Parillo This work has always been concerned with storytelling. Observations, feelings and experiences are the themes of my pieces. These very accessible topics include confinement, fertility, marriage, home ownership, anxiety and the difficulties of balancing a lifestyle that includes both children and art. I call these narrative vessels “story pots. http://storypots.net Mark Chatterley figurative sculpture. http://www.chatterley.com Maskwoman.com ceramic masks Maskwoman ceramic masks. http://maskwoman.com Nancy Farrell Nancy is both a painter and sculptor. Her sculpture emphasizes mood, gesture and narrative. Her painting focuses in on the relationship between the man-made and natural world. http://NancyFarrell.com Nancy Briggs Pottery Contains, gallery, part show list, photos of raku process links to galleries. Soon to be added, figurative sculpture. http://www.nancybriggspottery.com Nan Smith Figure-oriented installations, figure sculpture and tile paintings. Site includes portfolio, artist statement and bio, resume, and technical information about large scale sculpture building and surfacing processes. http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~nan Original Sin Designs Functional ware and one of a kind sculptural pieces from stoneware. One of a kind sculptures deal with the female form universal life experience. http://sinclay.com/original-sin-designs.html Ozark Wonders Stoneware pottery, sculptures, earthenware made with hand dug local clay, functional items, teapots, mugs, wall hangings and tea strainers. http://ozarkwonders.2ya.com Pecnik, Diane Visit a working potter's studio nestled in the indigenous Louisiana garden of local ceramic artist, Diane Pecnik. Located just outside of Lafayette, Louisiana, open to the public. http://buildingclay.com Rachel London Katz's Clay People Small ceramic figurative sculptures full of humor and expression made by Israeli sculptress Rachel London Katz. http://www.rachelondon.org Sugg, Teresa An exhibition of ceramic sculpture, wall pieces, and vessels based on the human figure and archetypal images. ... http://www.suggarts.com Teresa Sugg An exhibition of ceramic sculpture, wall pieces, and vessels based on the human figure and archetypal images. http://www.suggarts.com/ceramics Tomsic, Gianna Handmade ceramics from Slovenia. http://tomsic.tripod.com Vallerie Scott Knaust Figurative sculpture. http://www.empyrean.net/vskclay/galleryv.htm Victor Benckhuijsen Figurative ceramic sculpture. http://home.concepts.nl/~ceramics Wendy Holcomb Evocative ceramic sculpture, primarily wood-fired (anagama) http://www.wendyholcomb.net Whiterock Art Studio Presenting the work of Joe Rock. http://www.whiterockartstudio.com | Kathy Shell on Facebook What is RSS
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