BuildingWaterfall

Construction of a Waterfall

The Earth Goddess Waterfall first designed in 1999 at the Chalice well, Glastonbury through a form of visual Meditation, was the first of all the waterfall 'designs. This page shows you how this wonderful waterfall is built though it's various stages of construction.

Nature's own Waterfalls are constructed naturally through the Movement of Water through the Materials of the Earth, which is in turn influenced by the Movement and Action of Fire & Air. The construction of a Sculpture is on a similar path! The first influence is the Earth Material 'The Clay' depending upon the clay being used i.e. Goggled Clay/Smooth Clay/Porcelain, will influence both the construction and overall outcome. The next influence of Water comes from the input of Creative energy followed by the Physical (Fire energy) and Intellectual (Air energy) Before any of this can happen, first you need to know what you are going to make, it is recommended to make a few rough sketches from different angles, however when you do start to build the sculpture allow some free form... Freeform Sculpture's are purely as it sounds; Sculptures that start out without any initial foundation or design, as each piece of clay is placed upon the sculpting board, a shape is formed and a designs is then inspired.

Below are 40 images showing the various stages of construction giving a little detail of what is going on below each image. The Sculpture being built's is The 'Earth Goddess' Waterfall (Number 5)

Stage 1&2 - First a piece of clay is rolled out to the required size, in this case; to the size of the board. The outside circle is the scuffed and coated with slip clay. More clay is rolled out, a large strip is cut from it, one of the side ends is also the scuffed and covered with slip clay, the strip is them fitted to the outta circle and moulded together by hand:- A second piece is then cut and added the same way to complete the first wall. In the centre where there is a scuffed circle, this shows the general position of the goddess placing and the first foundation of the Tree...

Stage 3&4 - The Pond Wall is now complete and the first foundation of the tree is now in place, a cloth is placed behind the tree to help support it. It is now left to allow for the clay to dry to a slight leather hard texture. The timing of this can vary and is judged by checking the sculpture occasionally...

Stage 5 - When the Sculpture is stable enough; A Second layer is then added to the tree, leaving a gap at the rear, which not only gives access to the rear of the tree; it is also used to fit and maintain the pump and allow access to place the candles upon the shelves inside the tree when finished.

Again the sculpture is left to go leather hard, this time a damp cloth is placed around the base to the tree to keep the sculpture from drying out...

Stage 6 - This stage see's a third & final layer placed on the tree, this time it is taken all the way around the tree. As the sculpture grows it is important to monitor the shape that is developing, especially with a waterfall. When the clay begins to harden it cannot generally be moved, therefore is important to keep the shape inform and where Nessacary give a little support...

An Ariel view of stage 6, the clothe is again supporting the clay walls, as the clay begins to loose it's water content, the clay particles are pulled together making the joins and walls stronger.

Stage 7 - Fitting the shelves: Two Clay shelves are then fitted one to each side turit of the tree. The shelves should be above the water level...

A View from behind: The Hole at the back of the sculpture should be big enough to get a hand inside to be able to fit & maintain the pump & place candles onto the shelves...

This stage is called the Pre 8 stage; for next the body of the goddess will be added, but first the base of the tree should be shaped and any detailed work which would be difficult to get to, should also be done before fitting the goddess. Where the hole is in the centre of the tree there will be a crystal, also at the bottom should be enough ports for the water to flow evenly from front to rear...

Stage 8 - Two pieces of clay are then rolled out & cut into to similar shapes (one for each side of the goddess) two parts of them are then scuffed and painted with slip clay, along with the appropriate parts of the tree and the base of the pond where the goddess will sit. A Spiral has been drawn in the enter of where the goddess will sit, thus making life easier when she sits in her place...

With the two side now fitted together the 'Earth Goddess' is almost the vision of what i saw back in '99'

Getting to this stage brings great pleasure as it all takes shape and Inspiration begins to roll..

The hands that Giveth & Receiveth are now in place...

Stage 9 - In the above picture there are two protruding holes, small clay tubes are made and fitted to them to create the water pipe fittings.

The Top will create an outlet of water above the Goddess's Crown, where the water will flow either side of the Goddess down to the pond.

The lower hole will create a water outlet inside the goddess from behind the face, the water will then fall down over a Crystal bed inside the back of the Goddess.

The piping is now complete preparation will now take place ready for the last (10th) stage of construction..

Here the outlet from above the goddess can be se en... (Sorry about the blurred picture)

A Porcelain Face is fitted to the Earth Goddess...

More Refined detail & shape is given to the goddess...

Stage 10 - Is the last stage of construction; it is the fitting of the Tree's Bowl...

This is a little tricky, can be very messy, yet fun. As alot of clay slip is needed for the clay to create a concrete seal and to ensure there are not are bubbles or trapped air within the seal...

The construction of the sculpture is complete, with the bowl in place the Tree can be sculpted into shape with various Eye's and Wood Nodules, the Roots & Outlets are also given more refined detail...

The Eye's are placed in various places around the tree generally in the best place where the tree will benefit from the candle light coming from inside the tree, they also light up the inside of the tree.

Once the tree's details are all in place, the longest task of giving the tree it's texture can now commence..

Here the picture shows the tree half of it with the textured bark with the rest following on behind...

Although this is a long task, it is a great opportunity to strengthen the Will/Focus by grounding wondering thoughts, which can also assist us in future focus in Meditations...

The texture is achieved by various different sculpting tools...

At the rear of the sculpture there are 3 Rune Symbols; 'For Love, Beauty, Harmony, Balance, Protection, Good Fortune & Safety in Travel' of all things including the Sculpture. The Number at the bottom 'RVD EG5' represents 'Rainbow Vision Designs - Earth Goddess Number 5.

Adding detail to the face whilst fitted to the goddess turned out to be tricky, so it was removed, sculpted by hand and placed back in position...

The Hair was painted on with Porcelain Slip...

Porcelain is a beautiful clay to work with, it's texture is very smooth, although a little difficult to sculpt when wet, once it is near drying, it is as if an angel is inspiring you...

It is also good to to mix the clays together, the firing Tempature's can go against each other, however bending the rules can have a very interesting artistic & inspiring outcome. Porcelain also makes colours stand out...

The sculpture is near on completed, just last few final touches to do...

A Closer inspection of the details...

Tree-Mankins are added to the Tree, along with some crystal placements and a little climbing trimmings either side of the Tree...

Mushrooms are placed at the foot of the Tree and a shelve at the front encrypted with a Pentagram to hold a Tee-lit Candle. This is placed between the goddesses hands. 'The Bearer of Light.' The Sculpture is Complete...

'THE EARTH GODDESS' WATERFALL.

If you have any questions or queries please email me

Please Sign My Guestbook

If you have visited me in Camden, had a Tarot Reading, brought a Wand, Sculpture or anything else... And would like to Place a Comment in my Guest book? Please do so by clicking on the Hand. Click the eye to view guestbook>