September "Tip" of the Month

Today I am supposed to post my "Tip of the Month", but I am completely stumped as to a "tip".  So I am going to take you on a creative journey into my experiments.

You never know when or where inspiration will hit.   Today my inspiration came while looking out the back window of my house at the variety of trees and leaves.  It is a gorgeous Fall day in Virginia and the leaves are beginning to turn...BAM!  I "need" to make a bowl with leaves.  Quickly I run outside to collect a bunch of leaves from one of the trees, bring them inside and wrap them in a damp paper towel until I am ready to use them.

I look through my studio cabinets and find an aluminum bowl...PERFECT mold for the bowl in my head!  I grab a package of PaperClay (about 1/2 the package) and begin squishing it (to mix in a few bits that are slightly dry).  I need to roll it flat so that it will fit around the bowl/mold...my trusty acrylic roller is the perfect tool. 
**NOTE:I know, I know...normally I would go to the pasta machine, but the Paperclay tends to be a bit messy in the pasta machine (trust me, I have tried).  Since I learn from my "mistakes" I think the roller is a much better option than cleaning the pasta machine**

Once flattened, the PaperClay sheet is placed on the outside of the bowl/mold, smoothing as I go. 

 Now to add the leaves.  Pressing them in might work....ummm, no.  I only get the thick veins that way.  Ah Ha!  The acrylic roller will once again be the best tool.  I overlap the leaves around the clay covered bowl and then roll into place, adding additional leaf vein touches in empty spots.  Once the bulk of empty space is filled, I carefully peel away the leaves revealing the patterned clay underneath.

 Looks pretty cool.  I know that it will be even better once it dries and color is added to bring out the details.  Never one to wait patiently, the bowl has been placed in my oven to quick dry the clay (I am baking it at 275 degrees for about 15 minutes). 
What is the plan for when it comes out??  Well, you will have to return next time to see how the project progresses.  Until then, enjoy the cooler weather and the beauty that surrounds you :-)