Please scroll down to read explanations of the designs and process.
please note: all items have found loving homes except for the "frog table" / If you are interested in purchasing this item, use the contact form found here.
About the Designs/Motifs:
The Dragonfly Series: The dragonfly is a totemic symbol that represents the "attraction" that brings souls together to meet each other over lifetimes. The spirals or swirls represent the idea that time is not linear. The soul travels this non-linear path throughout time and every encounter we have with another soul can provide us with information that we can learn from to help us form and evolve to our best selves.
The Butterfly Series: As a totemic symbol, the butterfly represents the "emotional movement" towards joy. As your eye moves from left to right across the image, the butterfly changes in color and form. The colors change from blue to yellow, representing a shift from negative to positive emotions. The wingspan also transitions from a closed to an open form which represents a shift towards openness, freedom and lightness, all feelings associated with positive emotions.
The Frog Series: The frog is facing itself in a reflective state. The symbol in the center is an ancient Hebrew symbol ("Shefa") for "abundance". The imagery suggests that through self reflection, we can let go of things that tie us down and hold us back and allow abundance to flow into our lives.
About the Process:
Murals: Each mural started out as a giant slab of red-brick cone 6 clay. Shapes were added/attached to the slab, and texture added, until the images were complete. Once the clay reached it's leather-hard stage, the grout lines were determined and tiles cut out to dry slowly. Each tile was given a number for correct placement after the final firing. Tiles were fired to the bisque stage where glaze and iron-oxide were applied. After the final cone 6 firing, the tiles were installed onto a wooden board in the manner that one installs tiles in a kitchen or bathroom: adhesive and grout.
Furniture: Tables were re-purpose or re-cycled from thrift stores. Wood was either re-finished or painted for the desired effect. A lot of planning and measuring was required to account for the 11% shrinkage rate of the red-brick cone 6 clay. Once the desired size was determined, a slab was made slightly bigger than needed and a plan, like a blueprint, including tiles and grout lines was drawn onto a large piece of paper. The design/plan was then transferred to a clear sheet of plastic and this was placed on top of the slab and impressed into the wet clay. Tiles were cut out and numbered at the leather-hard stage and allowed to dry out slowly. Tiles were fired through the same two firing cycles as listed above and installed directly onto the table top!
As always, if there are any questions, please contact Clarisa directly. She is happy to talk with you!
The Dragonfly Series: The dragonfly is a totemic symbol that represents the "attraction" that brings souls together to meet each other over lifetimes. The spirals or swirls represent the idea that time is not linear. The soul travels this non-linear path throughout time and every encounter we have with another soul can provide us with information that we can learn from to help us form and evolve to our best selves.
The Butterfly Series: As a totemic symbol, the butterfly represents the "emotional movement" towards joy. As your eye moves from left to right across the image, the butterfly changes in color and form. The colors change from blue to yellow, representing a shift from negative to positive emotions. The wingspan also transitions from a closed to an open form which represents a shift towards openness, freedom and lightness, all feelings associated with positive emotions.
The Frog Series: The frog is facing itself in a reflective state. The symbol in the center is an ancient Hebrew symbol ("Shefa") for "abundance". The imagery suggests that through self reflection, we can let go of things that tie us down and hold us back and allow abundance to flow into our lives.
About the Process:
Murals: Each mural started out as a giant slab of red-brick cone 6 clay. Shapes were added/attached to the slab, and texture added, until the images were complete. Once the clay reached it's leather-hard stage, the grout lines were determined and tiles cut out to dry slowly. Each tile was given a number for correct placement after the final firing. Tiles were fired to the bisque stage where glaze and iron-oxide were applied. After the final cone 6 firing, the tiles were installed onto a wooden board in the manner that one installs tiles in a kitchen or bathroom: adhesive and grout.
Furniture: Tables were re-purpose or re-cycled from thrift stores. Wood was either re-finished or painted for the desired effect. A lot of planning and measuring was required to account for the 11% shrinkage rate of the red-brick cone 6 clay. Once the desired size was determined, a slab was made slightly bigger than needed and a plan, like a blueprint, including tiles and grout lines was drawn onto a large piece of paper. The design/plan was then transferred to a clear sheet of plastic and this was placed on top of the slab and impressed into the wet clay. Tiles were cut out and numbered at the leather-hard stage and allowed to dry out slowly. Tiles were fired through the same two firing cycles as listed above and installed directly onto the table top!
As always, if there are any questions, please contact Clarisa directly. She is happy to talk with you!