Storybook Sculptures

Woodland Creatures 2018 Series

I was 16 years old in high school, when I made my first clay sculpture.  The teacher let me take clay home to work with over spring break.  Using a make shift work area on our front porch, I made an owl sculpture. The owl was standing on a stump and was about 12" tall with detailed texture and individual feathers.  I entered it in the school art contest and won best of show.  Several years has passed since that first sculpture, so getting back to this type of work was a welcomed adventure.  Especially since my first experience worked out so well. 

At the beginning of the year, I decided to set a goal to dedicate a block of time to expand my skills making sculptures. This journey began in May when I dedicated three weeks to making sculptures.  Snails, hedgehogs and bunnies were familiar forms, so I started making them first.  Once I got started everything fell into place and The Tortoise and the Hare was made along with many other bunny scenes. ​

The Lion and the Mouse came next. ​

Late one afternoon, a new idea of a tea party on a stump with a bunny, cat, turtle and frog popped in my head.  This is one of my favorites and have yet to find the perfect book.  Who knows, story writing may be in my future.

The ideas just flowed in as I worked.  Each afternoon I would turn the parts on the wheel for the creatures I planned on making the next day.  Making these animals and seeing their faces come alive with personality was so much fun. The textures and designs were addicting as I discovered new ways of applying them.

In the evenings, I would search on the internet for storybooks that included creatures I knew I could make to pair with my sculptures.  Many of my sculptures where made before I found books which made the search for books difficult, especially when you prefer to purchase a hardcover book. 

Week three came fast, it was so hard to stop and turn off the creative ideas that were coming to me faster than I could produce sculptures. I was running low on inventory in the sales shop and needed to change my focus to make functional work.  I felt forced to stop.

Making these sculptures was so much fun and really felt like play, which made my functional work all of a sudden seem like detention hall.  I can't wait until my next devoted sculpture time slot.  

You're invited to an exclusive sculpture show here at Thomas Pottery.  Bobbie has created over 45 sculptures of woodland creatures in this 2018 series. Come see how she has combined her creativity of sculptural art and literture.  Read about the journey of a box turtle in the Grand Canyon, find out what Mrs. Hare's juicy secret is, or why hedgehogs need hugs.  All storybooks are beautifully illustrated and written by talented individuals and are included in the purchase of the sculpture.



Saturday, September 15th
Reception & Preview 9:00 - 10:30
Sculpture Sales 10:45 - 5:00
Sunday, September 16th  11:00 - 4:00
On-line Preview Sept. 1st - 15th
thomaspottery.com/sculptures
Purchase On-line Monday, Sept.17th
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