AESTHETICS AND INNOVATION

  As a native of our Sonoran Desert, Halldor has been drawn to depicting the imagery, action and feeling of his familiar surroundings. In his micro landscapes he shows the relationships and anticipated actions between the sculpted and “sprigged” plants and animals. The artist is an experienced potter, and often utilizes his “throwing” skills in creating vessels to display and augment his visions. He employees elements of imagery, composition, texture and pattern as tools to gain movement and feeling. Halldor has discussed his work and demonstrated his unique techniques to other clay artists at national and local conferences as well as being featured in numerous publications.

  Surface embellishment has become a passion for Halldor, and he has developed a variety of techniques for imparting imagery and feeling to the clay surface. He rediscovered and refined the art of “sprigging” where he sculpts, casts, composes and coheres these elements into his crafted vessels. He calls upon his native Sonoran Desert as inspiration for his subjects, and has sculpted and cast a repertoire of several hundred models of familiar plants, animals and geology. Halldor has formulated a “slip” which binds the elements together. It is rich in fine particle clays which enhance adhesive properties, and contains glycerine to retard drying and to equalize shrinkage. On some occasions the artist uses  glazes as the glue.

  Sprig molds should be dry prior to using, and must be free of “undercuts” which hinder the release of a sprig. After moist clay is pressed into the cavity, a drywall knife is used to slice away excess clay. The knife should be dry and even a little dirty to work best. The sprig can then be teased out of the mold. The vessel, or object that will be cohered with the moist sprig should be leather hard… damp enough to accept the cohering process, but stiff enough to maintain shape.

Slip is then applied to the sprig or to the vessel. I usually use slip left from the throwing process, and find that I can extend drying time by adding a small amount of glycerin to the slip. Oxides or stains may be added for coloring. I touch up the sprig joins and usually slow the drying process.

  The Pottery is located to the rear of the artist's home located at 45 West Lynwood Street, in Roosevelt Historic District of central Phoenix. It is one block west of Central and one block south of McDowell.

  The pottery is the oldest working studio in the Arts District, and the artists are founding members of 1st Fridays and Art Detour. Visitors are  welcome, please call 602-254-1222 or 602-625-2420 to arrange a time.

Halldor and Gail Hjalmarson

45 West Lynwood Street

Phoenix, AZ 85003

email: hjalmarsonpottery@me.com

www: claybeware.com