Clay Sculpture
Clay Sculpture "Lady Clove,"
At the base of the clay sculpture is a high-relief wall art that forms a portrait depicted as radiating energy and complemented by the sun and moon.
This Large sculpture is modeled from stoneware clay and mounted on a Catskill Mountain bluestone wall. It is constructed in hollow sections, reinforced with tie rods, and filled with cement to enhance its stability.
CERAMIC sCULPTURE
Ceramic Sculpture "Beowulf"
A ceramic sculpture representing Beowulf, a character from an epic poem written in Old English, stands prominently at the entrance of my home. Beowulf is known for his extraordinary strength and noble spirit as he confronts malevolent creatures and bravely faces the shadows threatening our peace. This sculpture symbolizes bravery and unwavering courage and is dedicated to the quest to protect our sanctuary.
The 3D sculpture is expertly crafted from high-fired stoneware clay and showcases hollow sections that are skillfully assembled using concrete filler and reinforcement bars.
Clay PORTRAIT
Ceramic Portrait of "Laurel"
Fred developed portrait carving skills by teaching the Bust in Clay for over ten years with hands-on experience. Engaged in one of his most cherished classes, he undertook this clay portrait project as a demonstration exercise. Once again, Laurel serves as the inspiration for this artistic endeavor.
The clay skin, with its ideal 2-inch thickness, forms the perfect body for the project. Hollow, with a cement core, is designed to support a large ceramic flower pot on the head, providing a fertile ground for creativity and Petunias to bloom.
John Gardners "Dragon"
In 1973, we had the pleasure of meeting John Gardner, an author, scholar, philosopher, and arts patron. The New York Times critically acclaimed reviews of his book "Grendel" prompted the commission of a dragon sculpture. In this piece, the dragon is perched high in a silver maple tree, offering advice to anyone willing to listen, in contrast to the monster's lair in the novel.
The dragon's skin is crafted from salt-glazed stoneware clay and is assembled in sections. It has a reinforced concrete interior, resulting in a dragon that combines a cement core with a clay exterior. Standing at seven feet eight inches tall and positioned high in a tree, it offers a vantage point that is visible from a second-story balcony.
Clay Statue
In 1982, we were inspired to create a ceramic statue, "Sphinx," for Tinker Street in Woodstock, NY, commissioned by John Protus. The statue stood proudly across from the Woodstock Guild and Woodstock Artists Association.
The 3D ceramic sculpture "Sphinx" was a cherished part of the Tinker Street and Tannery Brook Road intersection for 15 years until it was damaged by vandals. Although this is unfortunate, we are grateful for the joy it brought to the community during its time here.
ABSTRACT CLAY SCULPTURE
Abstract Ceramic Art
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Fred created large abstract ceramic sculptures. The ceramics studio did not have a kiln big enough to accommodate these pieces, so he had to find new ways to make his sculptures. Fred designed the sculptures in sections, crafting each part separately. After firing the individual pieces in the smaller kiln, he assembled them into the final artwork. Each clay stoneware sculpture is over 4 feet tall and connects the separately fired sections using metal dowels glued with industrial PC-7 epoxy.
MODERN CLAY SCULPTURE
Modern Ceramic Art
An old Randall kickwheel was utilized to create this sculpture. Approximately 350 pounds of clay were carefully stacked to prevent air bubbles from getting trapped, and the clay was allowed to reach a leather-hard consistency. During the trimming process, the pottery wheel was used as a lathe. After firing, the half globes on top were secured with metal dowels and industrial epoxy.
