Sunday, April 15, 2012

Trilogy of leaf form bowls

I did manage to get a few short sessions in the studio-garage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and therefore managed to finish the three leaf form bowls I had planned to do. I wanted to create another three of the multi leaf form bowls as a gallery manager thought these bowls would sell as a gallery line and would want 5-6 to create a presence. You can see them in the rough sitting on the wet rusting-curing big leaf.

©2012 Barry Smith - Trilogy of leaf bowls in the rough
The bowls were all made out of stuff that people have given me: a copper plate from Jo, a EPNS tray from Jo and a shallow copper fruit bowl from Edith-Ann and Carol. All the bowls are a little bigger than earlier bowls - they are about 160mm in diameter and about 60mm high. I beat an addition hollow depression in the EPNS bowl. As usual the EPNS was the hardest to fold form because of the being nickel-silver.

©2012 Barry Smith - Copper eight leaf bowl - former life 250mm copper plate
©2012 Barry Smith - Silver-plated EPNS eight leaf bowl - former life drink tray
©2012 Barry Smith - Copper twelve leaf bowl - former life 230mm fruit bowl
The 8 and 12 leaf bowls are quite time consuming and at times tricky to create because: the metal needs to be pretty flat so recycled bowls, tray and plates usually need to be annealed and beaten flat; the leaf points and lengths need to be measured reasonably accurate; shapes need to be cut; for each fold there is a folding, beating, annealing and opening; and of course there is the sanding of sharp edges and polishing. But I think the effort is worth it. I think my favourite is the 8 leaf bowl - enough interest without being too cluttered - and it reminds me of a lotus flower - so maybe it could be called a lotus bowl rather than a leaf bowl?

©2012 Barry Smith - Raindrops on spider's web
Thought I'd add the photo of the spider's web for fun. We have had a lot of drizzling rain over the weekend so all the cobwebs are holding little water gems. This web was outside the shed and I noticed it when I went to polish the bowls.

11 comments:

  1. The bowls are exquisite and I agree with your favourite. There's something 'molecular' about that photo.

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  2. well done, these are so beautiful!!!

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  3. JM & E - thanks for your positive comments; and glad you like the finished products. B

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  4. Beautiful pictures, I like the pick up and reflect light metal foils such beautiful, amazing.

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  5. These are truly special B - I think they are so original and such a fusion of your folding, beating and leaves - pure magic!

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  6. as a fellow fold former i am always in awe of your abilities employing the technique... it seems to suit you so very well- do you ever wonder how you might have evolved differently had you not known about it? i agree about the 8 pointed bowl being a bit more floral and had to smile - one makes leaves, but things can shift internally and while working the metal petals can make themselves known... i know people on my blog will often keep referring to my petals as leaves - but for me, they have a different feel...
    beautiful gallery work - and with a group of 5 or 6 a definite impact will be made upon the viewer...
    absolutely lovely image of the water adorned web...

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  7. They look good displayed on the rusted leaf background. Loving the darker patina on the bowls.

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  8. I like them all in conversation as they are above, and on that beautiful, rusting surface. The 8 leaf bowl feels a bit gentler in some way, love the colors...

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  9. You better find more than 3 days to work on these... I'm sure the gallery will be requesting more real soon. They are all so beautiful!

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  10. L, F, MJ, R, VA & SZQ - lovers of leaves, petals, patina and rust - may we unite!!! Thanks all for the vote of confidence in the leaf (hmm!! petal?) bowls. L- the polished bowls pick up the sunlight well. F- it has struck me that this form of fold forming is original - thanks. MJ - you are right learning the fold forming techniques took me from trial and error to a more predictable technical level and the confidence to experiment. It is funny about leaves versus petal. When I saw your stamped petals I saw leaves initially but then I saw the softer curves and I saw petals. R- what can I say to a lover of rust and patina other than I totally agree. VA - the 8 leaves do emerge softer as they are not as cramped in the cutting and beating process. SZQ - you have more confidence in the sale of these bowls than I have in the this current market but we will see. Three of the leaf bowls are off to Goondiwindi on Wednesday to get an outing at a regional art show. All- go well and be happy. B

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  11. Love the bowls, B, and the earrings a few posts back! But that photo of the web really blew my mind! I wonder if we won't be seeing its influence in some future works? Unless I just haven't caught up yet to your posting about it! Cheers!

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Comments are welcomed - it is good to connect with fellow travellers.