Sculpture Process

It’s insane how much work goes into a piece like this! But I’m nearing completion of the individual parts — now to pull them all together. I like the burnt brown patina on the hammered metal eye surround, made from an old aluminum cake pan I got at a moving sale a couple days ago.

It’s hard to describe in words the drive I have to __________. First of all, what words do I use for ________??? I haven’t been able to come up with a concise descriptive term for it…I’ll try jotting down some candidate words & phrases, as fast as they come to mind: free sculpt follow the…

After a year of voluntary banishment (see previous post), my inner artist is now finally re-inhabiting my corporeal body! My goal was for this to happen by April 15, so: mission accomplished. Glad I did the remodel, glad it’s over. First fun project: figure out how to make lightweight, break-resistant goat horns from non-toxic materials, for a…

“Exploring Happiness” series, “Orangutan” by Steve Eichenberger 20″h x 15″w x 7″d Fired ceramic, rubbed pigment and wax patina, wall mount. I’ve been working on publicity for our Valentines season double weekend show in our new Venetian Red Gallery space, so haven’t had much time to sculpt recently, but I did accomplish something, something I’ve…

Untitled, ceramic sculpture by Steve Eichenberger SOLD A little smaller than life size. Sculpted solid, hollowed out, pieces cut out and glazed separately, then black grouted back together. It doesn’t translate in the photo, but the mid-toned portions have exquisite patterns of shiny black nubbins smaller than the head of a pin; visually and tactilely…

“Strange Bird” in process. (5/11 addendum: SOLD!) I’ve been invited by White Bird Gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon to be in their Animals show this spring. This is a possible piece for that show, if the human ears don’t disqualify it from the “animal” category.

Small quick sketch for patina testing purposes, face 5 or 6″ tall.

Small quick sketch done this afternoon (face is 6″ tall). May do some more small faces because I need things to try out patinas on without experimenting on major pieces.

SOLD Final photo above added Feb 17. “Exploring Happiness” series, “Orangutan” by Steve Eichenberger. Major challenge to hollow out, but it’s done now and drying.

First completed piece of my newly evolving series, working title for the series: “If You’re Not Laughing, You’re Not Paying Attention.” Approx. 12 x 12 x 6, wall mount, hand-built one of a kind fired ceramic w/underglaze, SOLD (thanks C&L of Portland). More about this piece in previous post. I say ‘evolving’ series because I…

12/12 finessed ears and teeth. Think I’m about done with sculpting phase. Was going to do some other things with this, but kind of like it the way it is so may leave it. I was going to do the same things to the previous similar one, but decided to keep it as it was…I…

A year ago I was optimistic and excited about living the futuristic sounding year 2010, and it has not disappointed! It’s been tumultuous for us, but momentous as well. I’m sorry it’s nearing its end, but it’s not over yet. There’s still 1/14th of the year left. Many good things going on artistically: –A local…

Quick sketch on an envelope… …in short order turned into a sturdy, adjustable angle sculpture stand. It’s so nice to have a DRY indoor area to build things like this in our new location! I can do woodworking any hour of of the day or night in the large hallway right outside the studio door.…

By ‘sculpting the sculptor’ I don’t mean a self portrait, but rather working on my real flesh and blood self moment by moment day by day month by month year by year decade by decade until death do me part. It’s not rocket science, but more like gardening…hacking away at what I don’t want, planting…

Quick sketch, about a foot high.  SOLD  Fired, underglazed…may just wax it and leave it pretty much like this photo. I resonated with this while sculpting it, decided to leave it alone when I grabbed the head and pulled upward, causing neck to appear strained. ‘Stressed but OK’ is a common modus operandi for many…

SOLD Another experiment with a wall mounted piece; working title, “If You’re Not Laughing, You’re Not Paying Attention!” It’s almost life size. (photo of finished piece added 12/23) This one happened without any preconceived idea of what to make today…just pawed through some reference clippings first thing this morning in the studio and used a…