Happy Curmudgeons

I hope you enjoy my happy little people.  When I touch clay, my imagination goes wild and I sometimes never quite know what the outcome will be.  In this case it was these humorous little people that constantly make me smile!

These little Curmudgeons (cur`mudg`eons’) have been individually sculpted; nothing has been molded so they are truly originals’.  Creating them is a time consuming process but with each curmudgeon, I discover interesting ways in which to make the clay work for me.  It also is a very fragile art form; think of their little fingers and toes!  As the clay dries it becomes very brittle, and the slightest touch can cause the loss of a body part or clothing.  After the first kiln firing (bisque firing) they can be carefully handled and I can breathe easier as they are less susceptible to breakage.  I stain and glaze my Curmudgeons after the bisque firing and once again fire them, this time to a higher temperature where the clay becomes stronger.  Then, I have fun adding jewelry and such.

Each Curmudgeon has there own story that developes as they are sculpted. Their name comes first, as I sculpt the face, and the rest of their story unfolds as their body and clothes are formed.

Who knows what the next “Happy Curmudgeon’” will be?  It’s all up to the cosmos and my imagination!  Thanks for taking the time to view my little creations!