ceramic – Ellen Cooper Art

I have been having great fun recently working on some bird sculptures in various styles and using different techniques. They range from more or less realistic to complete fantasy! Here are a few in various stages of production:

Decorating with underglaze after first firing

pair of hens mounted on wood — Good Friends

Rook. This one is not finished yet. The clay will turn black when fired and it will be mounted, probably on a post or block of wood.

Drying out, texture has been used to add detail

“Hatchling” after final firing. The choice of base is important

close up of hatchling sculpture — Detail adds character.

Texture and a tuft decorate this one. There are holes underneath to add legs later.

Underglaze has been applied to add colour

Tufftty Bird — Tufty Bird has a wooden stand, a natural small log

tuffty bird mounted on wood — Texture and colour are important

And here are some completed birds:

Hen With Egg, there really are bald hens! 30x20x25cm

fantasy hen — Fantasy Hen. Sculpture for inside or outside. £80

head of ceramic bird — The eye has a glossy glaze.

More pictures can be seen on the Ceramics: Animals page: https://ellencooperart.com/gallery/

and also in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EllenCooperArt

The Stables Gallery Exhibition

An Exhibition

26th May to 25th June

Some of my sculptures will be on show in The Stables Gallery at Hall Place alongside the work around 40 other ceramic artists. I will be there on 1st and 20th June and lots of us will be there between 12 pm and 2 pm on Saturday 27th May.

It’s a great place to visit and easy to access. As well as the gallery there is a lovely garden, parkland (all free entry) and a riverside cafe, historic house and some other attractions. Find out more here:

https://www.hallplace.org.uk/the-stables-gallery/

Here are some of my sculptures that will be on show. They can go in the garden or in the house.

I had great fun with this patterned finish.

border terrier front view — Sitting Border Terrier

border terrier from left — Border Terrier

border terrier back — The glaze adds realism to the coat

border terrier head — Eyes and nose are picked out in glossy glaze.

pig from left — This was modelled on the farm

Dogs, Horses and Other Animals

Dogs and Other Animals

More pictures can be seen on the Ceramic page, and in my Etsy shop where they are for sale.

(Also for sale via contact page)

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EllenCooperArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=20391260

Dogs

The dog series continues in various styles from stylized to more realistic, and with a range of glazed finishes but with each capturing the character of the breed.

Chihuahua from right — This tiny piece measures 8 x 10 cm

chihuahua, small sculpture — The eyes and nose are highlighted in glossy glaze

pug from side — Different glazes highlight different features

small bloodhound from right — Bloodhound

curly coated retriever — Curly Coated Retriever

head of retriever — Textured glaze for the curly coat, with smooth glaze for the face and brown eyes.

Horses

faol — Frolicking Foal, a spontaneous sculpture full of movement and life

rearing horse — Hand sculpted, no tools!

Other Animals

The calf and pig below were sculpted from life on a farm (see earlier post

https://ellencooperart.com/pigs-and-cows-working-from-life/)

The pig can be displayed inside or out.

calf from back — New born calf with rich blue glaze

The cat who walks alone. Cat in glossy blue

Lots More Dogs and Other Things..

New Dogs, Horses and More..

Ellen has been busy recently making many different breeds of dogs as well as several horses. More images and details can be seen in the Ceramic section. There are also some new work in the Paintings section.

Dogs

Dachshund from left — Long Haired Dachshund

English Setter head — English Setter- Blue Glaze

English setter blue version — English Setter

Horses

galloping Stallion back right — 23 cm high, stand 23 x 18 cm

Watercolour Paintings

Blackbird and berries painting — Blackbird and Berries

blackbird and berries foliage detail — Detail

Original Watercolours

New Paintings

These and more have been added.

watercolour of 3 sunflowers — 3 Sunflowers 51 x 40.5cm (20 x 16″) £90

sunflowers en masse, watercolour — John’s sunflowers

flying pheasant — Raising the Pheasant 51 x 40.5cm (20 x 16″) £90

animals on the marsh — Animals on the Marsh

And Two New Sculptures:

frog face — Leaping frog. It would be happy on the edge of your pond. 15 x 15 x 16 cm

Cave Horse

Inspired by our Ancestors

The horse took shape in Ellen’s imagination inspired by cave art. An organic form emerged from the clay, her hands marking it as our ancestors marked their walls leaving their handprints reaching forward from prehistory. The surface of the finished horse resembles a section of cave wall.

This ceramic horse is mounted on a substantial piece of timber, a natural work of art, which Ellen found washed ashore near the old dockyard on the River Medway. The timber was shaped by Britain’s maritime industrial heritage and coloured and eroded by it’s time in the waters of the Medway, perfect for the Cave Horse! It’s rich colouring is reminiscent of the natural pigments used by ancient artists, and reflects the colours of the glaze.

Stainless steel joins the two, a modern material linking history to prehistory.

This smaller ceramic horse was also inspired by cave art.

Two models

Two heads: Age and Youth

Sculpting from life presents it’s own challenges and of course the result to some extent depends on the model who is posing, but it is up to the artist to interpret what they see. Sometimes Ellen chooses to work on the head only and in these two examples she has managed to give a distinctive character to each.

The tilt of the head, the expression on the faces and the set of the shoulders has been captured in each. The choice of glaze is also important. The matt verdigris finish for the older model and the more polished, with glowing metallic elements, for the younger, work well.

Two Figures: Age and Youth

On other occasions she chooses to sculpt the whole figure and is similarly able to interpret what she sees to produce moving and interesting pieces. The same two models sat again and the older seems marked by experience and expresses resignation while the younger seems to be luxuriating in the hope of things to come.

Rook

The rook is sculpted in black and white clays with a touch of glaze giving a glossy sheen. He is sitting comfortably with a full crop and watchful eyes. The clay is stoneware so can be kept inside or out.

The whole sculpture is just over 50cm tall.

Pet Portrait Sculptures

Lady

This one was in memory of a German Shepherd

Betty

This one was done from life as well as photographs. The photographs help as dogs don’t make the best models. They won’t hold a pose or even get into the pose you want. Betty is very much alive and kicking!

Stella

This is a portrait of a much loved English Pointer named Stella. The owner wanted her in her favourite pose with legs crossed. There were lots of photographs but not one in this pose!

Shadow

Shadow is another in memory of a loved pet who lived to the grand old age of 21, named Shadow owing to the habit of always being on his owners heels.

Fleur

Fleur was a much loved Border Collie.

Kerry Blue Terrier

and in my Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/EllenCooperArt

Find out more here:

Birds

An Exhibition

26th May to 25th June

Dogs and Other Animals

Dogs

Horses

Other Animals

New Dogs, Horses and More..

Dogs

Horses

Watercolour Paintings

New Paintings

And Two New Sculptures:

Inspired by our Ancestors

Two heads: Age and Youth

Two Figures: Age and Youth