Architecture Process (November 20)

We made the pillars, and front using the thinner balsa wood. We used the thicker, bigger pieces of wood for the main building structure. We traced the paper model onto the pieces. The outlines weren't 100% accurate due to some inaccuracies with measurement, so we had to redraw a few lines. Cutting the wood was more difficult. Because the wood was pretty thick, it would be really difficult to use a regular cutter to cut it. So, we used c-clamps and a thin saw to cut the wood. We would use the c-clamps to keep the board steady on the table by screwing it tightly. Then, we would use the saw and move in an up and down motion to cut the wood. It was a interesting experience. I've never used a saw before. As beginners, we started off cutting lines that weren't very straight. But by the time we got to the third or fourth piece, we were better at controlling the saw. A problem we encountered was that the saw "broke". It didn't really break, but the pieces came apart. So, it took us some time to put it back together.

We originally wanted to have windows on the side of the main structure. That means that we would have to cut a hole inside the wood. With the wood being this thick, it would be very difficult to use a cutter. So, Mr. Swinehart proposed that we can drill a hole and use the saw to cut a bigger hole. We're still trying to figure out what to do.

3D Mosaic Dove Process (November 20)

I completely covered the dove (except for the beak area) with mosaic pieces.

Then, I covered the entire body with grout. I tried a little on its tail to see if it worked. I ended up using a white grout instead of the grey one I had originally intended to use.

After letting it dry for awhile, I removed the excess grout with a damp towel and a sponge. It was difficult, because by the time I got to it after school, the grout was kind of hard. Also, as I was removing the grout, pieces would fall off and I would have to glue them back on.

I still have to polish it up a bit and put on the pieces for the beak. I hope that it will turn out fine.

I glazed the smaller dove using a glaze called "mirror black" and it turned out pretty well done.

You might not be able to see it, but it had a few brown streaks on it. Overall, it was a nice finish.

3D Mosaic Dove Process (November 7)

For the past few classes and some time after school, I continued to stick mosaic pieces on. Recently, I stuck the eyes on. It looked funny. Perhaps after I put the grout in, it will turn out better. The eyes were difficult to position. I had to do my best to make sure that they were in the same location on both sides of the head. Also, putting mosaic pieces on the head was difficult. The head is round, so the mosaic pieces kind of jutted out. After all, those pieces are flat. I'm almost done with gluing on the mosaic pieces. I need more thin, narrow pieces for the sides of the wings. I hope that it will turn out okay.

Architecture Process (November 5)

We still don't have the wood pieces for the main building. So, Rachel and I began to draw and cut out the pillars on the side. When we first cut them out, they turned out uneven and weren't straight. Through trial and error, we were able to cut them out decently and glue them together. We have to make a total of 12 tall pillars and 4 normal pillars. We're almost there.

Architecture Process (October 16)

At first, I was pretty hesitant to work on this project. But, I decided to work with Rachel on this project. We decided to create a cathedral-like model. We had to do a bit of research beforehand to have an idea of the different kinds of cathedrals and the history behind cathedrals. Turns out, the pointy pillars on cathedrals are pointy because they point towards heaven and God. Rachel and I sketched out our own designs at home. The next class, we got back together and collaborated. We ended up using (mostly) my main complex and her pillars. I hope that they match. We had to sketch out our ideas on paper first to create a paper model. We had to measure with rules and protractors. That part, I didn’t like. But, it was important that we had good measurements for the final wooden model. When everything was drawn out, we cut it out and put it together. That was when I noticed that the cathedral was ginormous. I think it was too late to make any adjustments. We used tape to put it together. The front was pretty confusing. I had an idea drawn out in my sketchbook, but the different layers were difficult for me to illustrate. In the end, we figured it out, and completed the front part. The back of the cathedral was Rachel’s idea. At first, she proposed that we have a big window at the back. She changed her mind and wanted to have a curve-like back. We ended up using her curve-like back idea and flipped it, creating two rectangle pillars with points on the top. We’re going to start on the wooden model soon. I hope that it turns out alright.

Drawing pillars

Constructing main building

Architecture Inspiration / Artists

I like Harry Potter. Hogwart’s structure fascinates me. That caused me to want to create a cathedearl. Hogwarts sits on top of a hill and has many mini complexes. Hogwarts is similar to olden day churches/cathedrals. I thought it would be interesting to create our own cathedral. I’m also interested in the history behind cathedrals. A cathedral’s form and shape has always intrigued me, especially the domes and points. Cathedrals have an interesting geometric shape and structure. Now, when presented with an opportunity to create my own architectural structure, I should use it to create something that interests and inspires me.

John Loughborough Pearson (1817 - 1897)

John Loughborough Pearson was a Gothic Revival architect and is known for his architectural work on churches and cathedrals. Pearson largely focused on the art of vaulting, which is a term for an arched form used to provide space for a ceiling. However, he also focused on the structure. John's buildings are geometrical in manner and have a lot of detail. His works are truly phenomenal. He started off with English medieval prototypes. Later, he worked more with Gothic styles. For example, he looked after and helped repair many historical buildings and cathederals, such as Bristol and Exeter Cathedrals, St. George's Chape, Westminister Hall, Lincoln, and Peterborough. John's practices was not confined to building churches. He also worked with houses and estates. This showed his aptitude for domestic architecture. He aimed at form, paying close attention to proportion and contour. I especially liked the Exeter Cathedral. I received a lot of my inspiration from that cathedral.

Architecture Planning

Objective

• To learn how to use wood, plastic, and other materials to make a model
• To experiment with architecture and design
• To creatively integrate different components/concepts of art into one final piece

Materials

• Wood (square slabs, long planks, skewer sticks, popsicle sticks, thick bars, etc.)
• Plastic wrapping (for windows, if needed)
• Paper (“drafting” of design)
• Rulers (measuring proportions)
• Cutting tools (cut wood)
• Tape (to stick paper model together)

Procedure

1. Find inspiration from the internet, books, magazines, photographs, etc.
2. Map out structure on a piece of paper/sketchbook - with proportions
3. Create a paper model of structure
4. Remove some tape to create a flat net structure for reference
5. Accurately draw parts of structure onto wood, then cut it out and put glue on accordingly

3D Mosaic Dove Process (November 5)

I began to stick mosaic pieces onto my dove a few classes ago. I experimented with a few different kinds of mosaic tiles. Bathroom tiles were too thick and were difficult to manipulate, so I didn't use it. I ended up using wall mosaic tiles. Those tiles were thinner and were a lot easier to use. I used a strong glue to stick the pieces on. At first, I wanted things to match up perfectly. But, as I stuck more pieces on, I decided to give that mindset up and to just stick it on. It didn't have to be too perfect. Sticking the mosaic pieces on were sometimes frustrating because it was time consuming and sometimes difficult to find the "right" piece, but I am beginning to enjoy that process.

Beginning to stick mosaic pieces on

Side view

Pictures on a more current progress will be up soon

3D Mosaic Dove Process (October 16)

October 16 Process -

Making this dove‘s body took a good few weeks. First, I made the body and the head separately. For the head, I started off with a ball of clay then I “pulled” a part of the clay to make a beak. For the body, I squished an ovalish piece of clay into a bird’s shape. My goal was that it would look like some sort of bird. It turned out ok. After, I had to cut the body open because it was too thick. I hollowed the body by removing parts of the clay inside. Then,  I attached the two halves together by “scoring” and using water. I didn’t do a very good job, which caused the crack after it was fired. When the head and body was ready, I attached the head to the body and smoothed it out. When I was done with that step, constructed some wings and attached it onto the dove. That part was the most difficult, in my opinion. I had to make a few different wings before I settled with one I thought was ok. It was difficult to make the wings even in size and thickness. The real difficulty was attaching the wings. I think I could have attached them at a lower angle, but it was too late. It didn’t turn out very horribly. Attaching the wings required more “scoring” and water. I had to smooth out the edges to have it blend in with the body. After smoothing it out, the bird looked as if it had two huge, strong muscles on its back. Anyways, it was difficult to completely stick the wings on. Under the wings, the clay kept cracking and did not connect well with the body. I had to repair it several times until it was somewhat detailed. As I said before, the angle of the wings was not very good. Originally, I wanted the mother dove to have one of her wings draped over the younger dove’s body. However, the space under the wings was not sufficient enough for me to actually put the smaller dove there. The work was already done, so I’ll have to settle with putting I next to the side or having only half of the small dove under the mother’s wing. The dove went into the kiln after it was bone-dry. That is when it was most fragile. I’m glad it passed the bone-dry stage, meaning that the head/wings were attached well. The doves were fired in the kiln. They turned out okay, I supposed, but there was a crack. Luckily, the crack was a small one. I think I didn’t pay too much attention to the front of the bird when mending the two parts back together. I still need to attach mosaic pieces onto it, which I will be doing soon. 

Doves before firing in kiln - 

Front view

Side view

Top/bird's eye view

Front view

Side view

Crack

Small dove

Doves after firing in kiln -

3D Mosaic Dove Inspiration / Artist

I was inspired by many different artists and sites. Pinterest's mosaic sculptures first caught my attention.

Boreejon

https://www.facebook.com/boreejonmosaicart/info?ref=page_internal

                  http://www.pinterest.com/cecebode/mosaic-art-ii-by-cece-bode/

Boreejon has a business providing custom mosaic art. Some of the time, he uses mosaic tiles and clay to make 3d animal sculptures. Although his sites did not specify where he got his inspiration from, it does say that he loves to use vibrant colors and textures. After doing a bit more investigation, I found out that he finds inspiration in everything. His main inspiration is the love of art and creating. He’s attracted to the colors of nature and tries to create art that reflect those colors. He creates mosaics with many different materials – stained class, tiles, and stones. Based on his work, it shows that he really likes Christmassy themes, animals, and patterns. Other than mosaic sculptures, he also creates garden art, jewelry, and back splashes.

His deer sculpture captivated me. I first saw it on Pinterest. I really liked its pose and its colors. It brought the animal to life. I’ve always thought that mosaics were 2d, but when I saw this, it changed my perspective on mosaics. I also really liked how he used different materials to create his sculptures. It’s very creative.

Karla Duterloo

                  http://www.riotofcoloursmosaic.com/riotofcoloursmosaic/Welcome.html

Karla Duterloo is currently situated in Cape Town, South Africa creating a series of Hunting Trophy Heads. After she works on Hunting Trophy Heads, she will work on 3d mosaic fish. In the past, when she was in other areas of South Africa, she worked for a charity organization training local women to become independent by creating their own arts and sewing works. She has many studios in many different countries, including London, Switzerland, the Caribbean, and Netherlands. She also designed a children’s clothing line and illustrated Children’s books. Again, her biography does not say how she was inspired, but it does say that she has a degree in arts and in recreation/art therapy. Apart from mosaic sculptures, she creates Zuni disks, mosaic trophy heads, and decorates floors.

She gave me the idea to create a dove. Whole-heartedly, she dedicated her work to help those who needed it. Doves can represent peace. By helping African women, in a way, she is bringing peace to them, so they can have a better life.

John T. Unger

                  http://www.johntunger.com/about-john-t-unger.html#.VBuC8C6Sx4g

John T. Unger is multi talented. He is a poet and writer, a print and web designer, illustrator, industrial designer, musician, teacher, actor, set designer, and visual artist. At first, he spent his life pursuing for a poetry career. But then, he changed his mind and wanted to be a visual artist. His first artwork was inspired by African and Haitian art. It still remains as the core of the work he does now. He is most well known for his sculptural firebowls. He uses unique patterns as part of the base of his art. He believes that art includes the story, environment, experience, and adventure. It is not something we make or buy, but is the way we spend our time every day. He works primarily with recycled materials. His artwork is for functionality yet beautiful at the same time.

I really liked how he used different materials to create mosaics. The polar bear (below) was really nice. I liked how the white mosaic on it was plain yet it stood out and attracted my attention. The overall design was very nice. So, to add on to my idea of making a dove, the white tiles would work well (I think) on pretty much any sculpture.