Syma post 8: Liberty Leading…

August 5th, 2010 at 04:18pm syma

Liberty leading the muses for MAD Pot of Gold 2

The MAD Pot of Gold #1 is now ready for drying. Visitors assisted with quality control as I cleaned the teeth of the painted creatures using my father’s discarded dental tools. The clay walls of Vessel #3 have remained stable between studio sessions, with the walls now as high as I dare to make them if I want to be able to fit the pot into it’s storage shelf. This parameter is actually very helpful to me, since the drying clay really needs me to turn my attention to the decorating of Vessel #2. After much deliberation, waiting for the muses to lead me, Vessel #2 is  taking shape with ‘Liberty Leading…’.

Talking with visitors about the view from the MAD studio windows, watching the stream of traffic, remembering the magical flow on day one, an idea came to mind that might work to solve a challenge that I see in Vessel #3. The clay walls seem to be past the point (too dry) to push them outward to create the egg-like shape of the other two MAD Pots of Gold. Perhaps I can create an egg-shape illusion if I apply some appliques of cars or some imaginary creatures, in a manner somewhat similar to the gazelles encircling the perimeter of the gold cup in the Met Museum’s Ancient Near East galleries. This idea opens a huge stream of possibilities.
Sometimes it can seem like a popcorn machine is spewing out potentials for new works. My challenge then is to stay focused on the works now wrapped in plastic. Both the black figure drawings and the appliques work best before the clay gets too dried out.

With miles to go in the uncharted territory of Vessel #2, and the possibilities brewing for #3, I am again eagerly looking forward to my next MAD studio session. Hoping the ideas will percolate. Wishing that between now and next Thursday, the muses will sing and dance in my Brooklyn studio. Or at least whisper sweetly…

visitor assists with quality control on Mad Pot of Gold 1

MAD Pot of Gold #1- ready for drying

working on MAD Pot of Gold 3

Gold Cup with Frieze of Gazelles from Met Museum

Entry Filed under: in the studio