Newer pieces for the American Cancer Society

This week I am donating seven pieces to Baptist Hospital for the Relay for Life (a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society). Four of the pendants are porcelain and the other three are polymer clay, a new material I have been working with.

Porcelain Jewelry continued

New Porcelain Additions

I am currently following two lines of exploration in my artwork: Reliquary Boxes and Porcelain Jewelry. Over the past year I have been creating unique organic forms that are inspired by the flora and fauna of South Florida, particularly marine life and insects. These highly textured miniature sculptures incorporate white porcelain clay, high fire stains, gold and palladium luster glazes, acrylic paint and a variety of European glass beads and Swarovski crystals. Each clay piece is fired four separate times before being painted and embellished. The fragile, often paper thin pieces emphasize the delicate nature of the porcelain clay.

RELIQUARY SHADOW BOXES

Reliquary - a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept (Miriam-Webster Dictionary)

In my latest series of clay sculptures, I have created detailed miniature clay forms utilizing colorfully painted fine white porcelain, much like the jewelry I posted earlier only slightly larger. I have combined the precious nature of a gilt finish with glass, stone and metal to give each object an air of peciousness. The deep black shadow boxes seem to enshrine the delicate objects and add to their sense of sacredness. As you look at the miniatures, notice how they sometimes hint at the human form and at other times an abstracted cross can be seen.  The black wooden boxes are relatively small meauring just 6 by 8 inches on the outside.

  

MORE PORCELAIN JEWELRY

Here are a few more examples of the porcelain jewelry I am working on.

PORCELAIN JEWELRY

In the past few months I decided to work in a small scale and I have been creating diminutive shadow boxes and jewelry using a fine white porcelain clay. I have been utilizing a wide variety of textures and shapes in making the miniature organic forms. After each piece is constructed it goes through four seperate firings to acheive strength, surface and luster. Each piece is then hand painted and adorned with metalic pigment, glass or metal beads, brass rod, or other materials. Here are seven examples of the pieces I am doing. I have about 50 pieces in various stages of the creative process.

Quest for Peace Exhibit

I am currently showing three pieces at the Miami Dade College Gallery. These pieces are from my latest series, Imago Dei, and were each created with the theme of peace in mind for the "Quest for Peace" annual show. These pieces all include examples of the figures I am currently working with. The masks are a part of a series of 12 and the other figures are a part of a set of 25. My goal will be to show all these pieces as an installation this spring. (Remember to click on the photos to enlarge the images)