# OF PLASTER MOLDS: 4 # OF FAILURES: 8 # OF FINISHED CLOUD #1: 12 # OF FINISHED CLOUD #2: 12 #OF FINISHED CLOUD #3: 0 This semester I created in total, 4 molds – 2 of which I've kept for future casting. I was able to CNC mill the final cloud #4 (soon to be referred to as cloud #3) and now have the foam for the new and improved cloud#3. This form needs to be made into a plaster mold. At that time, I'm going to create a second mold for cloud #1, my favorite [...]
WELL...IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, I was able to get a successful clay form of each of the 3 original clouds! Quite an accomplishment. I ran into issues with the CNC mill but only because I was trying to do the impossible at the last minute! lol I honestly would still like to create the 4th mold before the end of the quarter. I may not be able to pour any forms but would like to have a plaster mold of the shape that I could pour with in the future. This may be an unrealistic goal. I guess it all depends [...]
PROGRESS ? This past week was surprisingly productive! I've been falling into a rhythm of production. The only setback was the over-soaping of the 2nd plaster mold of cloud #1. I was trying to get a second mold of my first cloud in order to increase production. However, the issues I've experienced have caused delays in production instead of progress. I created an additional 3D model of a 4th cloud. This shape was developed in response to the request for varied sizes of at least 3 shapes. We do all agreed there should be 3 forms...only continuing with 2 [...]
I GOT SO GREEDY!! I spent Sunday in the studio and worked tirelessly with no breaks from 9-5. I was nearing exhaustion and was feeling dizzy from no food or water since breakfast. I almost fell off a stool so I decided to call it quits for the day. I was trying to get 4 of each cloud for a total of 8 clouds in one day. The final two molds of the day began to collapse when trying to move them to a wet box. I lost the last mold because it cracked in half. I just tried [...]
Holy crap! I got one successful cloud #3!!! I know its just one, and I'll certainly need more to properly test hanging - placement of holes for level suspension.
TWO FACED I'm calling this work "Two Faced." It is designed to look completely different depending on which side is in view. This is the piece in which I want to embed two cameras. I would like to print this as large as possible which means I would need access to your Xtra large 3D printer. I would like to push the extreme scale on this and maximize what is possible. These pieces are printed at the maximum possible for the smaller printers. Each piece is exactly 1 tube of porcelain.
UPDATE I'm not as far along as I'd hope to be. I was unable to accomplish most goals set for the independent study this quarter. What is most disheartening is that I haven't been able to meet my exhibition prototype goal either. I needed to have 9 clouds to build a prototype for the MFA exhibition installation. This was to be the "proof of concept" to show galleries how this piece would be assembled and hung. I'm unsure exactly to proceed. I have listed a few options. Quit Continue making clouds/focus on production Stop making clouds/begin research of hanging/mounting [...]
HOURS SPENT IN STUDIO: 65 # OF PLASTER MOLDS: 3 # OF FAILURES: 5 # OF FINISHED CLOUD #1: 7 # OF FINISHED CLOUD #2: 0 #OF FINISHED CLOUD #3: 0 My midterm STATs are terrible but it's certainly not from lack of trying. I hit an emotion wall this past week. Completely discouraged by the lack of progress and amount of time it has taken to get (what feels like) nowhere. However, I'm still so in love with the first form that I forge on. I'm still hopeful to get some success in the second half [...]
OMG this mold is impossible! It leaks terrible. I've made more attempt at getting a final form from this plaster but it is a struggle. It's a shame because this is my second favorite model but I have yet to see it actualized into a physical form. The peaks and valleys on the top of the form remind me of landscape and the peaks on the roofline of DIA. These shapes (both cloud 1 and cloud 3) remind me of rocky and mountainous terrain. The abstracted Rocky Mountains are felt to be a strong influence to these final forms. I truly [...]
This has quickly become my second favorite model/mold. I find the mold for this cloud (cloud 3) to fit more in-line with the shape and style of cloud 1. In fact, I may decide to eliminate cloud 2 from production if I am able to get this cloud form to a final stage of development. The top of this shape has more variety of angles and height. I also struggled with the model and part-line for this mold, and was ultimately relieved when this foam was milled and these pieces were ready for plaster.
I've become so upset about the cloud 2 model that I have started to introduce the idea of planting trees instead of hanging clouds. I created three tree shapes that echo the style of the clouds. I find trees to be an essential part of our physical community. They represent growth and a healthy ecology. In discussing this potential project and development of the porcelain trees with Bill Depper, he introduced the idea of planting actual trees or saplings of trees as opposed to clay trees. However, he also suggested if we do go the route of clay trees, he was [...]
This mold is impossible!! I've had many failures with this piece. I'm beginning to lose hope for a final form. I woud at least like to get one complete object so I could look at the shape and it's relationship to cloud 1. I love cloud 1 so much that it is hard to follow up that shape with this one. Disappointed on progress or lack thereof. HELP!
This creation of this second cloud model was horrifying. And to be honest with you, I don't really like the shape. There are parts of it I truly enjoy, like the bottom. But the top of the cloud almost reminds me of the main starship in STAR WARS. This could be good or bad. But I really do like the idea of using a variety of models throughout the work, but am not 100 percent sold this should be one of them. We will see when the mold is poured and finally revealed as a tangible object. I've begun [...]
I am obsessed and in love with this form! :) I'm so glad you convinced me to abstract the cloud shape. I would like it to be a bit larger but will need to increase the number or clouds to make a larger prescence. I'm concerned about time. Below is a "cheat sheet" for the process. Following this formula allows for a successful pour from this first mold every time!! So pleased!! POUR PROCESS Seal all sides of mold Pour Material (use funnel) 15-20 wait (from final top-off) 15-20 drain of material (slowly from side, spin near final to [...]
My first cloud model involved a highly-exhaustive re-learning process of Rhino. The shape is originally created in Maya, taken into Blender to decimate, and ultimately finished in Rhino as a mesh object. I truly struggled with re-learning the software and was also greatly challenged by my first attempt at creating my own part-line in Rhino. This was not something I attempted in my first course (Digital Clay) and found it to be quite a difficult process.
11 New Cloud Types Named https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/eleven-new-clouds-atlas/ INTERNATIONAL CLOUD ATLAS https://cloudatlas.wmo.int/home.html Clouds have always been an important part of my life. When I started my business in 2012, I named it "CLOUD 10". I started branding the business with the concept of clouds and have named all of the computer/electronic equipment we own off of cloud types. CIRRUS, CUMULUS, PILEUS, NOCTILUCENT. These are all parts of "CLOUD 10." I started the development of this project with the direction of "BROWN CLOUD" but the more we talked about this piece as an exhibition component, the more the work [...]
