Babette Harvey
It seems that there must have been a time in our history when humans lived in harmony with nature.
My latest series of animals with books and planets is an expression of hope that we will again find "our place" within the cycle of nature. The animals and planets in my work are a reminder of the underlying wisdom of nature as it continually seeks balance. The books suggest human knowledge and our capacity for understanding and solving environmental challenges. But, the dice suggest our willingness to play with the odds and our future. We seem to like doing that!
My figural pieces are a reflection of humanity and our desire for beauty and a sense of belonging to a more natural and sane world. I carve nature imagery onto the Kimonos and the human body as if tattooing a reminder that we do not stand apart from nature; we live within nature... we are nature.
Technique
I use smooth white clay that is the kissing cousin of porcelain. I hand build each piece with slabs. After a piece is built I let it dry just a bit until the leather hard stage and then I draw the design onto the surface. I use small carving tools to carve the designs, creating a low bas relief surface. Sometimes I press fresh plants into soft slabs of clay which I attach to the book forms.
Each piece goes through the kiln at least three times. When the pieces are completely dried I put them into the first kiln fire. After that first firing I stain the bas relief design with black stain and put the pieces back into the kiln to be fired up to the clays mature firing temperature (2300). After that firing I brush on china paints to add color. I then put the pieces back into the kiln for the third lower temperature firing(1800). I might do a fourth firing if the color isn't deep enough. Sometimes I use colored pencil and ink after the last firing. The pieces are then sealed.
Babette Harvey's Work at RiverSea Gallery
Click on the following thumbnails to see bigger pictures.
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