Twisty Curves
Manaia Tailed
No. 9
The Guardian
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Soft Stone Sculpture is the creative art of carving a block of concrete mix compound while the mixture is still firming.
Ingredients are combined with water, to a consistency that is wet enough to mix, yet not so wet that it becomes liquid. The mixed ingredients are packed into a block mold and left to become firm for approximately 4 -5 hours. The firming time will depend on the size of the block. When the mixture shows a stable firmness, the mold is carefully removed and carving begins. The question is - when is the block firm enough to begin carving? For me, that knowledge has come with experience. If carving begins before the block has firmed enough, it may crumble and break at some point in the carving. If carving begins when the block has become too firm, it will harden quickly and be difficult to carve. I have experienced all of the above. Breakages, or collapses of the shape, because of carving a block that was still too soft. Blisters on my hands because of beginning to carve a bit late, therefore the block had hardened too much and was difficult to carve. Soft Stone Sculpture is an amazing process and I find it a real joy to be able to create the wonderful forms and shapes that come from of my blocks. Usually the shape I start with, in my mind, is not the shape that emerges at the end. I find the sculptures seem to have a sense of their own being and guide me into creating the shape they want to be. The larger sculptures shown on this website are approximately 500mm tall and took up to 5 hours to carve.
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© Copyright Julerie Artz 2017: All Rights Reserved
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