Clay Experimentation

Alongside my experimentation with the mannequin heads, I have also been experimenting with clay.

Here, I have experimented with creating a likeness of Gaia/Mother Nature. I used square strips of clay to create interesting textures in the hair, by twisting them.
Twisting square strips is much different to twisting rounded ones, as round strips do not visibly twist, they only break and crumble. Whereas the four corners of a square strip can twist oppositely to eachother and create a noticeable twist in the hair. I have experimented with the hair here and how it flows.

I intended to add natural features to the hair, such as flowers/insects/vines/leaves, but I did not get around to it.

I also experimented with throwing clay on a spinning wheel to create a pot.
I originally intended to create a large pot that I could then sculpt into a face, to act as a flower pot.  Like below. 

Brief concept sketch.

But as I have began to experiment with clay and learn its properties, I figured that it was not within my skill range to create a head shaped flowerpot completely out of ceramics. Instead, I simply experimented with the wheel and created two pots.

Here are all three of my clay creations after firing. Unfortunately, the pot on the left did not survive in the kiln, as the bottom of it was too thick, and caused a small explosion in the kiln. See below.

Oops!

Regardless of the explosion, I think that the result is interesting. The hole in the bottom means that things can run through it. Such as water, soil, the roots of a plant, the vines of a plant, etc, etc. Just because it is broken does not mean I can't use it.

"Gaia" piece after firing

I cropped the piece to a square by covering areas with magazines - I feel that I prefer the piece now that attention has been drawn to her face.

The other experiments I have been making have been related to the smaller features of nature. I have experimented in making many different features individually and mastering them, so that I could make them on a bigger scale if I wanted to, and so that I can use the plethora of smaller objects on a larger scale piece (collectively). 

These mushrooms were created in 2 parts and baked in 2 parts.
The heads and stems are separate. They will be stuck together once fired.