Monday, May 18, 2009

Congrats to the Grad!

The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door — Only this, and nothing more."

Edgar Allen Poe



My nephew just graduated from college and I wanted him to have something special that tied this event to his beginning years of school. In his early elementary school years my Dad would help him read from Edgar Allen Poe and he could recite most of The Raven. Quite a memorable thing to hear...especially since most of his peers were still reading Green Eggs and Ham.

So I created this ceramic piece for him to commemorate his hard work and this wonderful accomplishment!

It has a high fire stoneware checkerboard glaze with cutouts that I filled with antique watch parts. The top is an antique clock face backed with the back side of a gold watch case. The center piece is comprised of two watch crystals attached to the ceramic base, in the 1/8 inch space I enclosed watch springs and gears that free float. On the back crystal there is the silhouette of a raven that can be seen if you hold it to the light. A real Poe postage stamp is also enclosed behind a larger watch crystal to the left, and there is a ceramic raku beetle that I made at the bottom to represent the story of "The Gold Bug", with the code to the treasure to be deciphered at its side. At the top, I added the first paragraph of "The Raven" , and to finish it off I added a few more watch parts and tree silhouette. I did a little destressing here and there. The square hole remains open to let the light of wisdom through. I have been wanting to do a Steampunk piece...and I think this qualifies?

A one of a kind piece for a one of a kind young man who has made his family very proud!!

3 comments:

  1. WOWOWOWOW!! I'm completely blown away by how amazing this piece is -your love for your nephew and your exquisite artistry are both beautifully showcased in this piece - he's going to LOVE IT!! How could he not... forever more!!

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  2. You are too sweet!!! I was pretty proud of how the piece turned out...and of course of my nephew, Chris!

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  3. wow this is an amazing gift just stunning
    Jen

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