All pieces are built with terra cotta or porcelain clay. Most begin with a slab, to which coils of clay have been added.
Here’s the story of how “Release”, a large outdoor installation, was created.
After meeting with the client, and viewing their courtyard, I generated a concept sketch based on the ideas with which they resonated. Consensus was that they desired a piece that expressed both joyful release and sensuality.
 Initial Sketch Concept |
 Greenleag Comm – Start |
 High points built up before carving begins |
Thick slabs were rolled, and cut to fit together, puzzle-like, on an easel built for the piece.
 Greenleaf Commission-slabs cut, fit together, carving begins |
 Refining and texturing the apex. |
At leather-hard stage some areas are built up with coils; then the largely subtractive work of carving begins.
 Carving |
 Final cleanup. |
 Final clean-up before drying and bisque firing. |
Once the carving process is completed each section is dried and bisque fired.
Loading each section in the kiln.
Over a period of 4-5 weeks, refinement of the sculpture takes place.
The fine details completed, the piece is inverted onto foam padding, and the entire piece is hollowed from the back.
 Greenleaf Commission-terra sig before firing. |
 Raw terra sig on bisqued piece. |
After a slow bisque-firing, the piece is remounted on the easel, and painting with terra sigillata commences. This material is a clay slip, milled to fine particle size. Pigments are added, and the surface is painted over a 10 day period.
The piece is burnished, fired a second time, then mounted for final installation.
“Release”- Grenleaf Commission 2012