I finished off this sculpture in clay class last week- he’s almost dry now and should be fired in the next week or so. He’s a re-creation of a Latin American figurine I found in a reference book once.
Here’s the reference photo I found in the first place- and no, he’s not Aztec, because they didn’t live in Colombia. That’s what Wikipedia told me, and Wikipedia never lies.
pottery figurine from Colombia, Quimbaya style, after 1300- Baltimore Museum of Art, Wurtzburger Collection
This week in clay class I finished off a model of a yak. Why? I’d seen some billboards around town with big yaks on them. Later, a drawing of a yak turned up in my sketchbook. Then when I was looking for inspiration in clay class, I found the drawing of the yak, and it seemed like it would be fun to make one. So… that’s why I made a yak.
He’s got lots of little clay crumbs on him at the moment, but once he’s dried off this week, I’ll brush them off. I may paint him later as well.
James makes books for courageous kids. He’s the author/illustrator of the S.Tinker Inc graphic novel series for middle primary: Brobot (2016), Dungzilla (2017) and Gastronauts (2018) star Sally Tinker, the world’s foremost inventor under the age of twelve, and Joe Tinker, her stinky baby brother. The fourth in the series, Chickensaurus, is out in late 2020. He is also the illustrator of the Toffle Towers series written by Tim Harris. James’ earlier books My Dead Bunny (2015), In The Lion (2012), The Last Viking (2011) and The Last Viking Returns (2014) have all scored several honours, including children’s choice awards, shortlistings in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year awards, and selection to the International Youth Library’s White Raven list. The sequel to My dead Bunny - There's Something Weird About Lena - is out in late 2020. James comes from a long line of queuing enthusiasts. Follow him on FB/twitter/insta/youtube @jamesfoleybooks, or at www.jamesfoley.com.au .
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I like the yak!
Cheers Gill 🙂 I’ll put up some pictures of it painted.