Tag Archives: papier mâché

The Kick-About #111 ‘The Mad Potter Of Biloxi’

I’m late to this Kick-about, because I’ve just arrived home in my studio after a month away. But I thought I’d throw together a quick response to the Kick-About #111, especially as it’s such a cool number.

The prompt was the Mad Potter of Biloxi, a nickname for George E. Ohr, a most excellent American ceramicist who lived from 1857-1918. His wonderful glazes and crumpled shapes, along with the seemingly weightless and wandering curlicues he attached to some of his pots, are deliciously attractive. (So was his moustache.)

It’s very sneaky to kick-about after the other players have left the field, because I was able to take inspiration from their work before I began. You can see their fabulous stuff here. I drooled over everything first, and then I settled on Kerfe Roig’s studies with a glimmering eye. (Insert insane, evil laughter here.) I had only a couple of hours to do something with this, and although Kerfe had spent time, thought and energy exploring a range of processes to stunning effect, I brazenly ripped off a fast and cheap imitation in my own style. Sorry, Kerfe. Love your stuff.

Apologies also to George, because your colour harmonies are superb and I have gone OTT without any attempt at subtlety. But George, you’re dead, and anyway I think you wouldn’t care.

Step 1. Clamber about in the ‘catacombs’ under our house and locate one of the much used and highly versatile x-ray development trays my Dad used in his veterinary clinic.

Step 2. Place paper in the X-ray tray. In the absence of the mysteriously missing water sprayer, (What have you guys done with this since I went away?) douse some paper with water from a watering can, until fully soaked but not disintegrating.

Step 3. Pour excess water back into the watering can using the handy spout at the corner of the x-ray tray. (Thanks Dad)

Step 4. Apply inks with abandon.

Step 5. Apply random brushes with abandon.

Step 6. Fashion paper into a horse shape, Ohr/Roig style.

Step 7. Ponder the delicate nature of wet paper, the already chaotic state of my workspace and the advantages and disadvantages of adding glue to the mix.

Step 8. Have another go, adding glue.

Step 9. Photograph and adjust levels / colours in PhotoShop.

Step 10. Cook zucchini slice

The Paunch on the Perch

Mr Owl (as yet un-named) progresses on this sunny spring afternoon, our last day in Camperdown.

Our lack of method is throwing up a few issues that will need to be addressed and at the moment the head looks too tall. But when he’s a little less soggy, we will be able to remedy that.

Mr Owl hanging from the clothes line, with some serious surgery about to begin. Some wire (which I could not get to go through his paper middle - not surprisingly) is tied around him to form the basis of his wings.

Mr Owl hanging from the clothes line, with some serious surgery about to begin. Some wire (which I could not get to go through his paper middle – not surprisingly) is tied around him to form the basis of his wings.

My apprentice poses with Mr Owl, newly attached to his perch. Arty did one leg, I did the other.

My apprentice poses with Mr Owl, newly attached to his perch. Arty did one leg, I did the other.

The mad professor at work. Thanks to Arthur for many of these photos. As you can see I had sticky fingers!

The mad professor at work. Thanks to Arthur for many of these photos. As you can see I had sticky fingers!

The wings and tail in progress c/o Arty. You see I ran out of wire for the second wing. Not to be too daunted, we carry on. Mr Owl will never be the best flier, I think, which reminds me of the Sett Owl from Isobelle Carmody's Little Fur series.

The wings and tail in progress, photo c/o Arty. You see I ran out of wire for the second wing. Not to be too daunted, we carry on. Mr Owl will never be the best flier, which reminds me of the wonderful Sett Owl from Isobelle Carmody’s Little Fur series.

gluey! Shortly after this, the dog threw up on the lawn next to me. You wanted to know that, didn't you?

Gluey! Shortly after this, the dog threw up on the lawn next to me. You wanted to know that, didn’t you?

Arty is working on making several beaks for us to choose from, when the moment arrives for Mr Owl's face!

Arty is working on making several beaks for us to choose from, when the moment arrives for Mr Owl’s face!

I hope you are enjoying all these photos of the washing. Where would we Australian's be without the marvellous 'Hills Hoist' clothes line?

I hope you are enjoying all these photos of the washing (sorry Nanna Gail). Where would we Australian’s be without the marvellous ‘Hills Hoist’ clothes line?

And now we leave him to drip dry for a while. Tomorrow he needs to be fit to travel to Melbourne in the car.

And now we leave him to drip dry for a while. Tomorrow he needs to be fit to travel to Melbourne in the car.

And now it’s back to work on Thunderstorm Dancing cover options in Nanna Gail’s sunny studio.