rook – Ellen Cooper Art

Rook

Rook

I finally have the perfect mount for my rook sculpture; a piece of marine timber hauled from the River Medway estuary near Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent. It has been cut to expose rich earthy colours, and wonderful texture. I love the way it has been carved by burrowing sea creatures. From being in the salty water so long it is rock hard.

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.

rook face — The eye has a glossy glaze

rook — Naturally sculpted timber mount

Rook

Rook left view

Rook

Rook back view — Sold

Rook marine weathered timber stand — This is the most burrowed side

Rook detail — Glaze gives a gloss to the feathers

rook

Rook, right side of face — Rook- for more images and information see blog

Rook ceramic sculpture — Here he is uncooked! The black clay is red before firing.

Birds

Birds

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:

Drying out.

Decorating with underglaze after first firing

unted on wood of hens. mo — Hen Pair

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

Underglaze has been used to add colour.

Hatchling — “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:

Pekin Bantam

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

cuckoo with open beak — Cuckoo

Cuckoo sculpture

grey spotty bird — Grey Spotty Bird

bird from above — Sold

hen back view — Patterned Hen

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

Love-heart bird

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

Bird Woman

bird woman

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