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Roots Rocka's Clay Journal |
TikiRootsRocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
|  Posted: 2012-05-31 3:53 pm Permalink
Hi Wendy and Mike,
Thanks for stopping by!
Great suggestion on the shellac. I think it might also add a little shiny gloss to the jute, to pick-up the super clear shine on the clay.
Below, is a project I started a few days ago. He's on bmix with sand clay and call him "Shaka Rocka."
I can't draw, so I just started building with little planning. I knew I was going for something Maori like and I also knew I wanted the legs to be in a less common style (from my amature knowledge), so he's squatting with his right foot in the back and his left foot in the front.
"Rocka" sign on left knee and "shaka" sign on right thigh.
I also have a hard time envisioning things in 3D, so I have a few mugs in the background to help guide my vision. I've always had a hard time executing the sides of mugs in the hip, thigh, and shoulder areas. Using the visuals was a huge help.
I hope to execute this well enough to justify messing around with making a mold.
Alohaz!!!
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6391
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2012-05-31 8:09 pm Permalink
Very cool Mike. I'll be watching to see how you pull those legs off
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TikiRootsRocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
| Posted: 2012-06-01 5:22 pm Permalink
Here's some more progress shots from the last few days.
I didn't like how the arm and shaka hand were looking, so here's the start to my fix.
More tomorrow...
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danlovestikis
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 3553 | Posted: 2012-06-02 1:13 pm Permalink
He's good, I like him, Wendy
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TikiRootsRocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
| Posted: 2012-06-08 5:48 pm Permalink
Thank you Wendy. It's been a fun challenge, definitely pushing myself on this one.
Here's my first fix of the shaka hand.
I realized that I didn't like how the right leg was connecting to the foot in the back. The foot was hidden too far under the body and you couldn't see the bottom half of the leg folding back under the body. The shaka sign is also totally weak, so I did everything again.
After the first fix:
See the back foot sticking out to the right and the poor connection between foot and leg?
Cutout some room for the leg to fold back under.
Now there's room for the leg and the foot points directly back instead of to the right.
Getting closer.
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6391
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2012-06-08 8:19 pm Permalink
Mike, great work on those legs. I have an idea for the Pele/Fire Swap mugs that needs similar legs, I may have to plagiarize your design a bit  It's something I've had in my head for a couple of years and just couldn't visualize it.
_________________
Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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TikiRootsRocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
| Posted: 2012-06-09 11:24 am Permalink
Thanks Mike, I like how it's turned out so far.
I'm sure we can find that style squat somewhere. I think I can see Pele now! 
I started working a on two piece mug that was suppossed to be a poi pounder, then it started looking like a volcano, and I started thinking Pele/Volcano swap...I just gotta commit!!!
Well, here's where my Maori sits with tattoos and tapa cloth.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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Beachbumz
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Posts: 991
From: 21°/156° MAUI
| Posted: 2012-08-28 12:04 pm Permalink
Love your designs! The Maori above is very cool, how did he turn out with glaze?
Aloha
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danlovestikis
Grand Member (8 years)
Joined: Jun 17, 2002
Posts: 3553 | Posted: 2012-08-28 12:23 pm Permalink
Your newest mug looks great. Do you plan to mold it? Wendy
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ebtiki
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Feb 08, 2009
Posts: 225 | Posted: 2012-08-28 1:22 pm Permalink
Yes, what Wendy said ...
(Great looking mug!)
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Sophista-tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 13, 2005
Posts: 1596
From: Seattle WA
| Posted: 2012-08-28 6:20 pm Permalink
you're totally doing it! nice design and the details put itover the top.
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6391
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2012-08-28 6:32 pm Permalink
Mike, I love where this is going!
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TikiRootsRocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 15, 2011
Posts: 150
From: Los Angeles, California
| Posted: 2012-08-30 11:44 am Permalink
Wow, thanks for the compliments everyone!
I regret to say that I haven't touched clay in a couple of months, but I've sure got the itch. I've been busy moving into a new tiki office for my vintage clothing inventory. There's actually a bunch of space outside, so I hope to setup a little art studio, too.
Anyhow, my original intent was to sculpt this and make a mold. As the piece progressed, it looked like it was going to be a 7 piece mold because of the undercuts.
I've never made a mold, so I got kind of burned out towards the end of my sculpting. I was trying to dry it slowly, but didn't come back for about 5 days and there was a big crack in the back. It goes all the way through and the piece was really dry, so I didn't want to try wetting it again. It's been in this state for about 2 months, sitting and waiting.
Any tips on filling the crack? Can I still try and make a mold, or is the clay too dry?
I never intended to fire this as I just wanted to make a mold, so I got kind of sloppy with the base, and I'm pretty sure there's air pockets. I don't have my own kiln, so I don't want to be "that guy" at my community place, and risk ruining others' pieces.
Thanks for stopping by and for the kind words!
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years)
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6391
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2012-08-30 12:26 pm Permalink
Mike, you can still make a mold from a dry clay master (you can make a mold from practically anything) Just remember that it is more fragile in it's dry state. You'll need plenty of mold release, if you use a water based one (like mold soap), let it dry between coats so the dry clay doesn't soak up too much moisture. And you'll have to be especially careful with your part lines so you don't have any undercuts since the master won't flex any to get it out of the mold.
_________________
Clay, the oldest and most divine art media;
"And now, from the clay of the ground, the Lord God formed man" Genesis 2:7
Pirate Ship Tree House
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hang10tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
Posts: 1963
From: Las Vegas
| Posted: 2012-08-30 7:00 pm Permalink
Lookin good
Now get back at it
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