Sculpture Project #1: Organic Volumes 2014

My first project for ceramic sculpture is centered around the idea of organic and volumetric forms. The goal is to combine forms into something that doesn't quite look like anything in particular while still having clues that reference its original components. Some of the parameters include a minimum height of 12" and a combination of at least 2 forms.
I started by sketching some things that interested me. The picture above shows some of my first sketches, including bumble bees, fluffy moths, and a caterpillar. Although I really like these creatures, I noticed that I chose them because I liked their individualistic features rather than their overall forms.

I tried to sketch some things that had more volume to them and ended up choosing a caterpillar, tree roots, lotus pod, and fiddle head fern for my combination.

Next, I sketched out some concept ideas. These were some of of my favorites. I really like their fantasy/ otherworldly feel and I hope I can create these someday, but the concept I stuck with is:

When I attended the Beth Cavener workshop, one of the techniques I learned was to sketch out the project to scale as a reference. There's a huge roll of paper outside of the classroom that became really handy for this because I wanted to make my project 24" tall.

I began to build the piece solid and planned to hollow it out later.

I had to cut the top off because it was collapsing on me D:

Added it back on :D

Roughed out the shape and began carving out the spiral.

I planned to add the lotus pods as I hollowed it out, but this is how the finished product should look.

Had to cut it into sections. Painful but necessary i_i

Hollowed out the bottom section and created a hole for the pod.

Power outage! Some parts of the campus have been experiencing power outages since winter break, including the art building. I usually work in the back corner of the room, so I had to move closer to the door where some light shined through. Jordan snapped some pics of me working on the lotus pod :D

I moved outside for better lighting and finished constructing an internal structure as well as smoothing the surface. It's so pretty >w<. I'm glad I made an organic structure. It fits well with the overall form. Even though it won't be visible, I'll know it's there *w*. I also want to make more sculptures like this where it's like a cut out or a MRI scan or something owo.

Details of the inside :D

Hollowed out the middle section. It wasn't as pretty as the lower section and I ditched the internal structure to save time... Anyways! I attached them :D

Hollowed out the top section. This part was unexpectedly difficult to hollow due to the central spiral.

Haha, hello! I attached the top section and tried to blend the seam in. Pods were added as well.

Seeds added. So many...

Completed! It kinda warped after I hollowed the sections :(, but I feel pretty good about it since it's the largest thing I've ever sculpted and first piece I've hollowed out :D. I originally planned for there to be caterpillar legs, but after putting them on, the profile didn't look quite right, so I left them out. After drying to a bone dry stage, it shrunk 2". Now I just have to fire it and hope it survives *_*.