Spring has finally sprung!

May 7, 2013 - Author: Patricia

Finally we have spring in Michigan! I never thought it would get here, winter had dug in it’s heels and did not seem to want to move on. I did enjoy winter when it was here and especially enjoyed my photography adventures in the snow, yet the seasons are what I love about where I live and it was definitely time for spring.

Since my last post I switched creative gears and began sculpting different pieces. I had an urge to do something totally different from my previous work so I went for it. I was also on a deadline to deliver pieces to Midtown Gallery and Metropolis for their “Humans” show in May. There is nothing like an artistic deadline to kick the creative juices in high gear!

I created these vase like sculptures from slabs of clay, adding and subtracting clay to form the bodies. I wasn’t sure if I was going to leave them in their natural state after they were fired or paint them. It wasn’t until I decided to buy my first airbrush (at the last minute) and started playing around with it that I knew I would paint them. It was so much fun and easy to use! I am very happy with the results and the pieces are displayed in the front window of Metropolis for the month!

Another artist at the gallery reception commented to me that the pieces evoked the feeling of spring with their vibrant colors and the way they “opened and blossomed” at the top. I was surprised to hear her interpretation as it wasn’t my intention that they relate to spring but I do believe that sometimes our subconscious thoughts come through in our art and we don’t realize what we had been thinking about until the pieces are done and someone relates their interpretation of the work. I love how that happens and I love how everyone has different opinions on my art, good or bad. I’m open to any thoughts and debates when it comes to my art.

I hope that spring has arrived where you live! Don’t forget to take a moment to stop and take it all in, see what’s newly growing in your yard or local park, even those yellow dandelions are beautiful.

6 Comments - Categories: News from the studio

Moving forward, sculptures in progress

March 16, 2013 - Author: Patricia

In my last blog post I talked about how I was just getting back in to sculpting in clay and I posted this shot of the piece I’d been working on.

She had just been hollowed out and put back together. Many people are surprised that I hollow out my sculptures. I’ve learned the hard way that it must be done. When I was taking sculpture classes no one ever taught me a good way to hollow out the pieces, I merely turned them upside down and dug out as much clay as I could. In most cases the sculptures survived the kiln firings but ended up being very heavy, like a large bowling ball heavy. Other times I would find out after the firing that my sculpture had large cracks in it or had blown up in the kiln. I learned the hard way that the walls of the sculptures need to be as thin and even as possible for a more even firing. I now cut my sculptures in to sections, dig out each section as best I can and then using a glue of clay slurry that I literally use to paste them back together. So far I’ve not had one sculpture blow up on me in my kiln, I also attribute this to my slow drying process and praying to the kiln gods every time I fire.

Since the last post I added hair and cut out some holes. The large opening at the top was made so I could work on thinning the walls of the sculpture where I had added hair. The top piece of the hair will be reattached but I will leave the small opening at the back of her hair, it feels like a nest to me. I continue to feel the need to cut out openings in to my sculptures as if I’m exploring like a bird looking for a home in a tree. I’ve not yet been able to explain that part of my process and perhaps I never will, I just know it feels right to me.

I’ve started another sculpture that is stylistically like the one above. I’m enjoying this new process of building and let my hands do what they want. Obviously I do have a certain style in mind but I’m not getting hung up on the themes of my past sculptures.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Wear some green so you don’t get pinched.

6 Comments - Categories: News from the studio, Work in progress

Playing with clay again

February 22, 2013 - Author: Patricia

It’s been awhile since I’ve felt like creating anything out of clay. This past year I went through a long and painful period of feeling burned out as an artist, it’s something I don’t care to ever go through again. It was scary and depressing. There were many factors that lead to this which I will remember to never repeat.

As an artist I’ve always kept my hands and mind busy by dabbling in many different mediums. If I’m stuck on one piece, I can move to another. Along with sculpting, photography is one of my other creative outlets. After slowly finding my way back to creating from the period of burnout I picked up my camera again and have spent a great deal of time this winter taking photos outside, most of which you can find here on my website under “Photos.”

Below My Feet

So getting back to the subject of sculpting and playing with clay, there were many times this past year that I would have an idea to sculpt something, attempt to make it and it wouldn’t work out. These events only discouraged me more and made me sad. I had to let go for a bit, allow myself the time to heal and hopefully return when I was truly ready. A few months ago I started a piece and left it wrapped up. Occasionally I would look at it, water it like a plant I had hoped to save, wrap it back up and walk away. This was progress, at least I didn’t let it dry out to the point of no return or destroy it like so many others this past year. I finally hollowed it out and left it wrapped up, never really sure if I’d put it back together.

Finally this week I approached the piece again in hopes that I still cared enough to put it back together. I did. I’m not yet sure what the end result will look like, so for now, I’ll just enjoy the feeling of playing with clay again.

8 Comments - Categories: News from the studio, Work in progress

My sculptures have been published!

November 30, 2012 - Author: Patricia

This past year I had the privilege and honor of being published in “Contemporary Sculptors.” This book surpassed my expectations on all levels. It’s a beautiful hard cover book filled with 84 international artists who I am proud to be a part of.

If you need a beautiful gift for the artist or art lover on your list it can be purchased on Amazon through this link: http://tiny.cc/jdmlow

My sculptures….

No Comments - Categories: News from the studio

All things shiny and new!

September 5, 2012 - Author: Patricia

Hello and welcome to my new website!

I’ve recently updated my website and I’m ready to share it. I could not have done this without help from my web guru, Nathan Norman, thank you Nathan! On this site you will find many different galleries that contain the varied types of art that I create. All the galleries are listed on the right hand side and are very easy to navigate. Please have a look and leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

I will use this site to post all works in progress, finished work and news about upcoming events. Soon I will have a link for email subscriptions that will allow updates to be sent directly to your inbox. Also in the near future the site will have a store here to sell my work.

Thanks for stopping by!

No Comments - Categories: News from the studio

Welcome to Rara Avis Studios

June 27, 2012 - Author: host

We have launched a new site with many updates to come. This will be the central place for all of my new work and updates. Please check out my website and contact me if you have any questions. My email address is patricia@patriciagapske.com

For now please check out my new Ceramics Gallery

6 Comments - Categories: News from the studio

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