I was hankerin' for a challenge this Summer, and I knew I wanted to go back into the studio, but what to do?
My studio experience is as a painter, photographer, and silversmith. And while I love painting & photo, it's metalsmithing which has captured my heart in recent years. I found metalcasting in particular to be challenging & thrilling, with an element of danger which keeps you focused, in the present. Most teachers who cast have their cautionary tales of accidents, fires and even explosions. My Summer instructor, a sculptor with over 20+ years of casting experience, had more than his share of stories...
So, I looked for a place with a foundry & open Summer Class... ah ha, CCA, Oakland! Alma mater to so many amazing artists and craftspeople, including one of my all time favorites Peter Voulkos.
sculpture building, 2013 CCA Oakland, CA
BUT, what to build? We had a grand total of 6 full days to cram in 15 weeks of instruction with no time to find inspiration for our waxes. I had to come up with a good idea quickly! Serendipidously, I had signed up for the CCA casting intensive online right before a trip to LA where I had a purchased sunburst piece. My LA sunburst, done in the style of Curtis Jere & the Friedle Brothers, is a lovely thing, but small and made from base metal painted to look like bronze or brass. I felt I could do better! And so the challenge began.
Over six classes, I designed, built, & cast the basis, the center, of my new sunburst wall sculpture. Photos are of the initial stages & casting the bronze. More to come...
wax disk with texture, 2013 sprued up & ready for plaster
plaster molds containing waxes, 2013
lighting the small kiln, loading the molds, 2013
getting the casting kiln lit, 2013
the flames go higher, 2013 my favorite photo!
kiln running, sounds like a jet engine
bronze into the crucible, waiting for a green flame, 2013
kiln off, bronze molten metal, 2013 red crucible, ready to pour
starting to pour the molten bronze into the molds, 2013
view into the crucible, 2013 bronze casting
cooling bronze in plaster mold, 2013
**After my experiences at CCA, Oakland I realized I wanted to continue with sculpture. I'm hooked! Since I need a studio away from home with casting facilities, I found an affordable school in my area. Back into the studio for four more months!**
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