Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Woodland Altar

I almost saved this to post tomorrow as my OAW project, but it felt too much like a cheat. I made this metal clay Altar at home weeks ago meaning to use it as a demo piece in my class at Arrowmont. I wanted to create a remembrance of my Tennessee experience filled with bits and pieces particular to the retreat.


My first fidgity evening there I picked apart a mini pine cone. One of the scales kept a thread of it's stem and it looked so much like a lilly that I had to save it. I put some gold leaf underneath and three tiny gold glass balls in the center to represent stamens. My little fantasy flower. There were lovely Iris' and other flowers all over the campus.

Debbie Rijn, a Senior Instructor from South Africa brought some porcupine quills (and other treasures) to sell and I bought a few. Man are those things sharp!! Take care if you're ever face to face with one in the wild.

The little shard of bronze clay was a breaker in one of my firings. The leaf pattern represents the stunningly beautiful deciduous forests of Tennessee. 

So this is my little reliquary. My "Woodland Altar". My tribute to the Smokey Mountains.

9 comments:

Vickie Hallmark said...

I just adore this!!!! Make more, more, more (and trade one to me!).

Lora Hart said...

Well, I happen to have a few in the works even as we speak Miss Vickie! Thanks for the adoration. ;-)

Lisa at lil fish studios said...

Oh my goodness, this is amazing! Really so beautiful.

Anonymous said...

wow, it's lovely! great work as always!

montserrat lacomba said...

Beautiful!

Nicola said...

I love Altar pieces, reliquaries and keepsake boxes. Maybe I'm a natural hoarder lol.
The leaf print makes it even more special. Gorgeous!

Nicola x

Susan Dilger said...

Great project! You have yourself a winner, there!!!

Angela Crispin said...

This is absolutely lovely, Lora ! From the mementos to the leaf print on the top of the piece !
Porcupine quills ! You're so lucky ! I've always wanted some and never ran into one to pluck them myself ;o) Do you know if she has an online presence for these ?

Wendy Edsall-Kerwin said...

This piece is really beautiful. I love all the textures and how each element has its own compartment. There is a sense of peace to this work that reminds me of the forest, so I guess it works!
I love the idea of having a small wearable reliquary/altar. I might have to delve into that idea myself.