Sculptures, unlike drawing or painting, are bound by the laws of physics. Like architechture, a three-dimensional form must balance so that it won't topple over. The part that comes into contact with the "ground", whether that be a table or literally the earth as in a garden sculpture, must support what grows from it.
Parrots are my favorite subject. In addition to their beautiful feathers, they are acrobats. Most importantly, they are highly sensitive, intelligent and emotional creatures. So it is the emotional life of the parrot and its expression in motion that I strive to capture in my parrot sculptures.
I built this Blue and Gold Macaw from stoneware, using handfuls of clay that I rolled into small coils and smoothed together. The handfuls become fingerfuls as the piece nears completion. It is built hollow. The space between the protruding parts and around the form are important; a three dimentional sculpture consists of what is there as well as what is not.
Here is the completed Blue and Gold Macaw. I used Amaco Velvet underglazes on the body.