THE CENTER HOLDS - cast & carved plaster, aluminum leaf, paint, gray faux suede, carved

THE CENTER HOLDS- cast & carved plaster, aluminum leaf, paint, gray faux suede, carved wood, glass - 8¼"x 11"x 2½"

This unique piece came about from the fact that I was not happy with the original design modeled in plasticene from which a mold was cast. There were two plaster positives cast from that original mold, each finished differently but using the textures and edges mimicking a patchwork quilt. I was so unhappy with the results that I re-worked the negative mold using a woodcarving gouge to carve a radial pattern moving outwards from the lips. I cut the mold down into a smaller rectangle; from which I cast three positives: one in plaster, another in red earthenware, and a third in black stoneware. The red earthenware version was mounted on dark stone. This version was leafed with aluminum and washed in a yellow ocher. The front surface of the frame was carved with a grinder to echo the radial pattern, sanded smooth, painted black and then leafed in aluminum, followed by a cream wash. Front surface of the frame was lightly rubbed to reveal black base coat.