Project One: Clay Mold

Project one's theme was a totem. I originally began to make a lion head. The animal is one of my favorites in the animal kingdom, and I appreciate the subtle power of the "king of the jungle". The strength and majestic nature of the lion are things to admire. However, the project was not turning out how I wanted. It had to do with defects in my base structure. It was not made particularly enough to create the shape necessary to create a realistic lion head. The head was also going to have too many ridges that would make cuts in the later plastering process. So I restarted...

This was my second attempt at a base clay mold. I chose an elephant head also because of its graceful power and strength. It would also produce less curving and cutting so that the plaster may create a better mold. I really liked my elephant head before I had plastered it. I tried to create the plaster replica at least four different times. Each got a little closer to creating an acceptable mold, but my patience was tested at this point and I decided to try a more simple mold. I think if I would have continued with a few more attempts, I would have been able to make this come out how I would have liked. Nonetheless, I don't think I will be working with plaster again any time soon.