Porcelain Menagerie: to keep the handcrafted porcelain animal figurine alive
Ariel Bowman makes animals in clay that reflect her love for nature. She graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute in Ceramics. She has moved home to Dallas,Texas, USA and opened her studio (see how she works, step-by-step, on her blog). Ariel Bowman is the owner of the Etsy shop called Porcelain Menagerie.
Ariel Bowman says: « In ceramics I learned plaster mold making and animal sculpture. I also got to research animals in clay on study abroad trips and travel grants. These took me to the Sevres Porcelain Factory in Paris, the Meissen Factory in Germany, and the Herend Factory in Hungary.»
The manufacture nationale de Sèvres is a porcelain tendre factory in France founded in 1738.
Ariel Bowman: « All the European factories had one thing in common when it came to their delicate animal figurines: a handmade tradition. I was inspired by the beauty and detail in such small figurines.
When I had the idea for Porcelain Menagerie, it was largely based on the research I had done on these trips and at school. I wanted to keep the handmade traditions of Europe alive in my own sculptures, and share my love for animals.
I started by sculpting each animal individually in oil based clay. I then made plaster molds of each sculpture using the same techniques they use in the European porcelain factories.
Some animals are assembled from several different molds: one each for body, legs or ears. While it is a complicated process, knowing all the steps allowed me to make/do everything myself and by hand.
Clay has always been an important material in my artwork. I rely on clay's ability to capture texture, elegance and natural beauty.
I want to create animal figurines that have the same handmade quality and originality as the ones that so inspired me in Europe.»
All pieces were made from an original sculpture that Ariel Bowman designed and then made plaster molds of for slip casting. All assembly and glazing were done by hand.
This piece is ceramic and the surface is a low-fire white slip with a clear glaze. The ears are hand sculpted with each casting.
The mouse is one of my favorite animals to make because of their dainty features. This little mouse figurine fits in the palm of your hand. ---@Etsy
This piece is ceramic and the surface is a low-fire white slip with a clear glaze. It has been slip cast in order to be very thin and lightweight.The vintage decals used on this bear have a beautiful orange floral pattern. I apply all decals by hand. Some are cut and altered to expand over different parts of the form.
This stocky little bear is sitting in a thoughtful pose that brings it to life even in the small scale. ---@Etsy
This piece is ceramic with a surface of a low-fire white slip with a clear glaze. It was slip cast making it very thin and lightweight. The color on this piece was done by hand using a method called "china painting". China paints are ceramic pigments that fuse with glaze and have to be layered like oil paintings, but are fired in the kiln.
The Kingfisher is best known for using its beak to snap up fish. It is mostly found in Europe and in North America. This bird’s elegant shape and beautiful plumage have always inspired me. ---@Etsy
This piece is ceramic with a low-fire white slip and clear glaze. The eyes and tail tip have been china painted with black to look like the real ermine in winter. The ears are sculpted individually for each piece.
Ermines are also known as stoats and are part of the weasel family. Ermines change their coat from brown and yellow, to white in the winter. These white ermines were often used as a symbol of royalty in Europe. ---@Etsy
This piece is ceramic and the surface is a low-fire white slip with a clear glaze. It was slip cast making it very thin and lightweight. The decals on this rabbit are cherry blossoms. These are cut and applied in various ways for each piece so that the branching cherry blossoms are always individual to each sculpture. Decals are fired on.
I have always been inspired by seeing rabbits in the wild. They are a resilient and resourceful animal with a grace and beauty all their own.
The crouching pose shows a rabbit that is alert and cautious. ---@Etsy
I have always been inspired by seeing rabbits in the wild. They are a resilient and resourceful animal with a grace and beauty all their own.
The crouching pose shows a rabbit that is alert and cautious. ---@Etsy
This piece is ceramic and the surface is a low-fire white slip with a clear glaze. It was slip cast making it very thin and lightweight. The decals on this rabbit are pink roses. These are cut and applied in various ways for each piece so that the rose blooms are always individual to each sculpture.
This resting pose shows the rabbit as relaxed, yet ready to spring up at any moment. ---@Etsy
This resting pose shows the rabbit as relaxed, yet ready to spring up at any moment. ---@Etsy
This piece is ceramic and the surface is a low-fire white slip with a clear glaze. The gold luster is a ceramic material that is hand painted and fired on.
This sitting pose shows a rabbit cleaning its face by rubbing forepaws over its nose. ---@Etsy
This sitting pose shows a rabbit cleaning its face by rubbing forepaws over its nose. ---@Etsy
Custom china painting, luster or decals are available for all the forms in the Porcelain Menagerie shop. Contact Ariel Bowman for a custom order (international shipping).
« The inspiration for my pieces comes from my visits to European porcelain factories. I strive to keep the tradition of the handcrafted porcelain animal figurine alive in every step of my sculptures.»
