Ceramic Artists Free Standing Sculpture

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           "Lady Clove Sculpture"  Modeling

Ceramic Artist Fred and model Laurel are creating the head portrait for a free-standing ceramic sculpture in the round "Lady Clove Sculpture" installed at the bottom of Plate Clove road in the Catskill Mountains of NY. 

Using a locally commercially prepared sculpture clay body presented challenges; it was unknown that the clay would fail in freezing weather. We were aware of the clay body's limitations only after installing the first "Lady Clove " relief mural composed of the same clay. Unfortunately, the mural disintegrated during the winter of this sculpture's completion. 

How to solve this dilemma?

                    "Lady Clove Sculpture"

A monumental ceramic sculpture in the round welcomes travelers at the base of Platte Clove road in the Catskill Mountains of NY. 

              "Lady Clove Sculpture" Detail

Frost and clay, the clay body, lacked a proper pore structure, enabling ice ejection without confining the pressure caused by freezing water.

 A possible solution is hard firing the sculpture twice to mature temperature, yet this would be trial and error. So, in addition, we also opted to coat the statue with the best General Electric Silicone clear sealant by mixing the sealant with turpentine for brush application. Twenty-six years later, it is still a success. 

A reinforced concrete filling completed a free-standing cement sculpture with clay skin.

Ceramic artists, as inventors, creators, alchemists, and adventurers, make the clay art experience enticing.