It All Begins Here
I start with a rough scaffold of toilet paper tube, paper, and high temperature wire. I place a written prayer, poem or intension around the tube which burns away during the firing process.
Adding the scaffold for the rider and the barrel of the horse.
Filling in.
Starting the legs.
Time to start the rider.
Mounted the rider to horse.
Added the pumpkin.
Created the tree as a base to hold the horse.
Mounted the horse and rider to tree base.
Made adjustments to proportions of rider and added more details.
18 hours later! Time to let it dry (about a week).
Into the kiln for bisque fire. (3-4 hours)
After bisque, time to glaze!
Back into the kiln for final firing (~45 min.).
Flame coming out of the kiln.
After removing the sculpture from the kiln (using a long pair of tongs and welding gloves), I place it into a reduction bin. It catches fire and the lid is put on. This removes the oxygen and lets the piece smolder, creating smoke patterns and glaze effects.
This is another sculpture pulled from the kiln still glowing hot and waiting to be put into the reduction bin.
Finished!