CAROLYN WASS

Carolyn Wass' clay sculptures are modern day effigies with a pop culture twist. Her whimsical creatures are influenced by everything from movie monsters to legends of the Sasquatch. Her recent works are sculpted out of stark white clay. The pieces are assembled separately and then put together when the clay has dried and become more structurally sound. After a piece is finished, it must dry and then be bisque-fired. Carolyn's new glazing technique uses underglazes as watercolor. Each piece is covered in a watery black and then many layers of color are used. The piece still requires an overall coat of clear glaze for tactic appeal. The piece is fired a second time to a higher temperature for the finished product. "I am particularly fond of odd animals such as sloths and anteaters, but my ultimate favorite are dinosaurs. As I work I always have to fight my tendency to turn the clay into a dinosaur. I think my subject matter very much reflects my love of the childlike reference point that the world is still unknown and can be very mysterious. Dinosaurs are a symbol to me of the constant human dichotomy that allows you to think about how we all are just a flash in the pan of geologic time, yet we are all so unique and important to this giant scheme." Carolyn has participated in over 30 juried art shows all over the country and has won many awards. She was chosen by Paul Soldner for the National Arts Challenge in Biloxi. She is currently the mother of a three year old and works as an artist and clay instructor to children and adults in the Birmingham area.