Horses, horses!

This post is all about my love of/for horses.......something my parents were told "I'd grow out of" when I got past my teenaged years! Well, guess what? That was a very long time ago and I'm still goofy over what I consider to be the most expressive, incredibly beautiful creature on God's green earth! I don't own one at present but enjoy including them in my ceramic work. Also, I'll be exhibiting my work in Feb. (11-21) at the Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale! Soo looking forward to immersing myself among such beautiful animals! I especially love the "Freestyle Liberty" class where the horse is turned loose w/o saddle or bridle or halter.....to run, rear & do whatever it pleases......absolutely breath-taking!

You can see more of my work on the link provided and if you like what you see, please become a "Fan"!http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paonia-CO/Raku4u-by-Shekinah-Clay/328036630436

Signature Piece

Of all I do in clay, this particular form is the one I consider my "signature piece". It is completely hand built using slab construction & if you watch my slide show for a moment, you'll see a pic of me working on one in my home studio. In addition to it's inherent beauty, I do hold a visual artist's copyright on this form because of it's unique nature.

There are many steps involved in the creation of this form I call a "sculpture vessel" (though my pet name for it is a "swoopie"!). First, a fairly large amount of clay is made into a consistent width slab using my slab roller equipment then it is placed in a form I made to "slump" the clay into a generalized domed form. From there, when it is just the right amount of hardness, I cut it apart, then reassemble it using a scoring and slip technique. Much time is spent refining edges. Each one of these forms I make are one of a kind, tho they are similar in overall shape.

I enjoy making them because I love the rhythmic beauty that results in each one's defining edges. In some cases, the sculpture vessel is completed with only a colorful palette of glazes, allowing the sculpture itself to take dominance. With others, I use the sculpture as a "blank canvas" to hold an image I find beautiful and compelling. The vessel pictured here is embellished by the stylized galloping horse which I originally drew. In addition, it holds a copper wire spiral, a turquoise colored metal feather and a variety of fibers which I felt complimented the form. I love working with mixed media.....putting things together in ways that are uniquely my own is a great deal of fun for this artist!

Whoa Horse Art Team

Sometimes in life, the unexpected presents itself and adds such a richness to my quality of life! Such is the case when I was invited to join the "Whoa Horse Art Team"! I hadn't known of their existence and was just delighted to have been invited to join up (which I immediately DID).

This is a group of people who love horses and produce equine art utilizing various art media. People who love horses seem to have a huge commonality coursing through their veins and, for me, it's a feeling of "coming home" to meet and converse with others who share this.

I was BORN loving horses. I didn't learn it from my parents or siblings, for they didn't have "it" (a love of/for horses). I only know that from the earliest time I can remember, the mere sight of either a REAL horse or even the IMAGE of a horse was enough to raise the hairs on my arms & make me tingle all over! I've been fortunate to have owned and trained a few of my own over the pathway of my life and, while I don't currently have a horse, I certainly pay hommage to their regal beauty via my ceramic artwork, as do other members of "Whoa Team" in their chosen art media.

So, thank you "Whoa Horse Art Team"....I'm so glad to be aboard with you all and will take great pleasure getting to know each one of you. If you'd like more information about the Team, follow this link!

http://whoateam.blogspot.com/