HAPPILY EVER AFTER
- This commissioned stoneware clay work was designed for a buyer who wanted a pumpkin teapot to commemorate her daughter's engagement.
- The interior of the pumpkin structure was enhanced to incorporate a minimature teapot sitting on a quilted pillow. The pumpkin is designed as part of a Cinderella-like coach setting.
- A complicated new technique of slip cast molding was used to create three-dimensional molds for making the pumpkin and its stem.
- Construction sequence:
- Elements are separately fired to cone 06.
- Underglazes are applied.
- Second refiring of the pumpkin to cone 5/6.
- Gold luster is applied to the teapot.
- Third firing is done to cone 018.
- The coach is fully assembled with epoxy.
- Cold finishes are applied.
- Date 2009.
- Size: 7.0" x 5.75" x 6.25".
- A commissioned work.
- Sold.
ENLARGED VIEWS
CREATIVE PROCESS
- The pumpkin body and the stem are made by means of two-sided silp cast molds.
- The molds ae allowed to dry for at least two weeks before they can be used to cast the piece.
- After thorough drying, the molds are filled for the three-dimensional casting.
- The door of the carriage is carved into the side of the hollowed-out pumpkin body.
- A small ceramic quilted pillow is fashioned at the base within the carriage.
- The pillow is intended to accommodate a tiny sculpted teapot.
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A diminutive teapot is formed by wheel throwing and modified by sculpting.
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It is placed upon the quilted pillow within the pumpkin body.
- Delicate components are designed and created to form the coach wheel base onto which the pumpkin will be set. These components include leaves and wheels. They are too delicate and fragile to withstand being assembled in the raw greenware state of the clay without collapsing.
- Accordingly, the small parts are created separately. After they have been constructed, they are dried and fired individually. When completed, they are then assembled to produce the complex structure of the work.
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The coach segment is constructed separately. It consists of a press mold leaf.
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Underglazes are applied.
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The pumpkin will later be placed into this coach shell and the wheels will be attached to it to finish the coach structure.
- The central pumpkin portion has been fired to cone 06.
- Underglazes are applied to provide coloration.
- Clear glaze is painted onto the surface of the tiny teapot.
- The piece is now refired for the second time to cone 5/6.
- Gold luster is applied to the inner teapot.
- The third firing is done to cone 018.
- The ceramic pumpkin, the leaves and the wheels are assembled to form the composite coach structure.
- Special epoxy cement binds the elements together permanently.
- The epoxy joins are sanded.
- Cold finishes are applied to the surface of the sculpture to complete the work.
- Additional leaves are positioned at the sides of the pumpkin body to complete the work.
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