Dawn Panttaja |
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Me:
I'm a time traveler, obsessively reading biographies and pouring over art books. I comb thrift stores and antique shops, soaking in the past and find small souvenirs of another time. Other Art Related Activities: I am a compulsive creator- a jack of all trades who makes her living playing music, writing plays, sewing costumes, building sets and props, and now working in clay. I am co-founder of the Karaoke from Hell Band (the worlds first live karaoke band. I also teach theatre at the Multnomah Arts Center, writing and directing for the Studio Theatre. |
Process:
I work in a mid-range stoneware, porcelain slip, oxide washes and minimal glaze. Each doll is a multi-stage process that will take 3-5 weeks to complete.
I start with pressing clay into a simple one piece mold of my own design. This compresses the clay and gives me basic proportions as a starting point.
Then I begin to sculpt. Adding clay to create curves and cutting limbs to create jointed elbows, knees, waist or wrists. After the basic form is complete, I allow the work to rest for a few days.
Then I can begin the process of hollowing the body and adding detail. Colored clay is applied to hair and clothing. Joints are tested and adjusted. Then I fire the pieces for over 20 hours just below 2000 degrees. The next step is adding more color in the form of oxide washes and glazes. Then I fire again at a higher temperature.
Unloading the kiln is always a surprise.
The ceramic artist deals in science, art and magic.
The science: you must follow a certain set of rules to ensure you piece won't crack, melt or explode. You are firing at over 2000 degrees for an entire day... lots can go wrong!
Art: while following these rules, you strive to express the vision in your head, creating something that speak to you (and with luck, to others as well.)
Magic: You never know how it will turn out until you open the kiln. Sometimes it's bitter disappointment. Sometimes it's so lovely it takes your breath away.
Then you have to assemble it. Does she fit together? Does she sit well? Can her head swivel smoothly and then hold a pose? Did you make the holes large enough to thread the cording through?
Am I going to dress her?
Each doll takes many hours of work at every stage. You only know if a doll truly “works” after you've strung her together and put her through her poses.
I work in a mid-range stoneware, porcelain slip, oxide washes and minimal glaze. Each doll is a multi-stage process that will take 3-5 weeks to complete.
I start with pressing clay into a simple one piece mold of my own design. This compresses the clay and gives me basic proportions as a starting point.
Then I begin to sculpt. Adding clay to create curves and cutting limbs to create jointed elbows, knees, waist or wrists. After the basic form is complete, I allow the work to rest for a few days.
Then I can begin the process of hollowing the body and adding detail. Colored clay is applied to hair and clothing. Joints are tested and adjusted. Then I fire the pieces for over 20 hours just below 2000 degrees. The next step is adding more color in the form of oxide washes and glazes. Then I fire again at a higher temperature.
Unloading the kiln is always a surprise.
The ceramic artist deals in science, art and magic.
The science: you must follow a certain set of rules to ensure you piece won't crack, melt or explode. You are firing at over 2000 degrees for an entire day... lots can go wrong!
Art: while following these rules, you strive to express the vision in your head, creating something that speak to you (and with luck, to others as well.)
Magic: You never know how it will turn out until you open the kiln. Sometimes it's bitter disappointment. Sometimes it's so lovely it takes your breath away.
Then you have to assemble it. Does she fit together? Does she sit well? Can her head swivel smoothly and then hold a pose? Did you make the holes large enough to thread the cording through?
Am I going to dress her?
Each doll takes many hours of work at every stage. You only know if a doll truly “works” after you've strung her together and put her through her poses.
