skygrazer.com

Interesting
exhibit of polymer clay sculptures from graduate student W. Jeff Littlejohn:

The exhibit, “Imagined Lives,” which opened yesterday, follows the spirit of “Wind,” with its collection of sculptures of life-size humans and animals presented in their natural form.

The pieces — constructed individually from minimal wooden armatures, layered with crumpled paper and duct tape, then formed with polymer clay — will be on display throughout the week, free and open to the public for viewing.

In creating the environment for the pieces, Littlejohn has placed the full-color pieces on the floor of the gallery, in lieu of pedestals. He said he chose to do so to “create the effect of interacting with and inhabiting the same space as the viewer.”

All the pieces in W. Jeff Littlejohn’s exhibition are aimed at creating characters living in their own habitat and illustrating their unique stories. This is a realistic and somewhat threatening-looking wolf.

“By hinting at surrounding events and situations I attempt to expand the environment of the individual represented beyond what is completely shown,” he said.

In contrast to the organic nature of the individuals in his pieces, Littlejohn uses humor, motorized features and other accessories from the real world — which are often incongruous to the pieces — to add another dimension.

I just took a class at the Mystic Art Center which covered making a small relief sculpture, making a plaster waste mold, and then creating a cold cast bronze replica.. It was an excellent class and I learned alot, both about mold making and sculpting. It was also alot of fun.

For example, I learned that I was holding my sculpting tools wrong - it should be like a hammer not a pen for the best control and a smoother surface, and that I really should go take some basic classes on sculpting… and probably drawing, composition, color theory, etc. I’ve figured most things out on my own or through books, and sometimes my trial and error techniques really aren’t the most efficient.

Books are great but there’s nothing like watching someone demonstrate something and being able to ask questions. Sometimes you’ll learn just one small simple tip that the instructor doesn’t even think much of, and it can really help your work.

Btw, I’d highly recommend any classes by Chris Long (sculpting) or Susan Stone(drawing) if you’re in the Rhode Island or Connecticut area.