4| A Shell of a Time
- hunter brown
- Dec 21, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 14, 2019
It's already at the point to make the 4th blog post. The 2/3rds process check. Can someone tell time that it doesn't need to be going so hard? We get it, you can make a month go by before I can blink.
Despite these weeks flying by, the progress on my piece has been going relatively well. I don't know if I'm behind or not, but both the legs and the shell have been developed quite a bit more since the last progress check. The frame of the shell has been covered in paper mache and several layers of plaster, as well as smaller shells. Nearly all of the leg segments (legments) have been connected and oxidized to fulfill the sun-scorched surface look. To ensure stability and strength for the limbs I made sure to go back with pliers and re-twist the wire connections. Things such as drying times and cooling times are the main time-consuming processes that I have to worry about.
There are a few conflicting things I've dealt with during my process. One of them being the shape of the overall shell, it reminds me more of an ice cream cone than a hermit crab shell. That could just be me, but I intend to build up a stronger spiral shape with more plaster and possibly modeling paste. This is related to a comment I got during my 1/3rd critique as to how I'm going to achieve a successful silhouette of the style of shell (western false cerith) I'm basing this part of the piece on.
Another aspect of the shell, this time brought up in the 2/3rds critique, is the interior. I was given several ideas about what to put inside the shell to complete the overall piece's form. An appealing suggestion was some kind of fishing net so the legs have a supportive base, and so that the marine theme is strengthened.
Thankfully, the legs weren't that much of a concern. I don't need to alter anything except for the kind of wire I'm using to connect the remaining segments. (since I'm out of the original wire and I don't have the time to wait for new materials to come in). One question that came up during the critique was how pose-able the legs were; so far I haven't had a problem with situating the segments in different positions.
Artist inspiration time! For this artist I didn't go to a museum for, but I found them on Behance. The creator of this piece is named Anushe Babar, an artist based in Los Angeles, California.
Her piece here is simply titled 'Wire Mesh Form Study'. The form achieved in this study is much more complex than the structure of my own wire mesh piece. The kind of waves and curvature achieved is inspiring. I wasn't sure at first how far I could push the properties of mesh, but Babar's execution proves how much one material can be manipulated.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/20164693/Wire-Mesh-Form-Study
You are in a really good spot for the time being. Once you build more onto the shell it should come together more. I like the tiny shells youre adding for more detail. Are you going to paint the shell a different color or leave it white? You should add some light brushstrokes of the rustic colors from the legs into the shell so it has some balance. Also have you thought about how youre going to install it?Overall, its coming together very well!!
I have enjoyed seeing your progress on this piece and I think you've come a long way. I really like the shells you've added for texture, I think they add an interesting component. Using that texture closer together and over the significant area might be very interesting and add to the idea that the hermit crab hasn't moved in a long time.
The spiral shape is coming along well! I do agree with the fact that your shell is lacking a bit in shape and thickness, and looks more like a cone. One way that you can do that is through adding on layers of plaster like how you were talking about, and continue to shape the spiral. Giving it a more 3D appearance is most important for this piece I feel like, and same with doing the inside. Adding more texture on the shell after adding onto it will give it a more realistic appearance. I think the one thing I’m struggling with most for the design process might be the legs; do you plan on stuffing the inside of the…
So far I think you are in a good spot in your artwork. For the shell, with building up more plaster, my only concern is weight. Plaster gets heavy fast, so I would build another wire form around what you have to really define the true spiral shape of a shell. After that use plaster gauze to cover the form. This is a much more lighter option, so not too much weight will be put on the legs.