He requested me to create a sculptural piece inspired by the photos and phrases with a generous budget, without a deadline. There were no conditions, except for one thing. The piece should be a surprise, so he would only see it for the first time when he would receive it.
Like other commissions, I started thinking about it whilst out walking. What the aurora would look like? How cold was it? What was like to be on dog sleigh? I have tried to follow in his footsteps, reliving the experience. This is the most important part for my creation. Unless I could imagine it, that is, I could re-live the moments, I can't make. So I took as long as I needed.
After a while, I started researching images of landscapes, aurora and the important places of the client. Finally I got a vision.
Here is a photo record of the making. I usually share the images of my kiln shelves. It was not very easy to avoid any part of the mask being visible in any of the photos. But I managed it, and the lovely client didn't have any idea what he was getting through any images he had seen on social media.
After a bisque firing. They all stayed on, thankfully.
The first glaze-firing was ok, but he needed dark bluish tinge on the sky parts. This was taken just before the second glaze-firing.
The third glaze-firing. It went well. I was happy with how he came out. I told the client that it was ready to ship.
An accident happened. Whilst packing, a part got broken. Usual repair method failed. I bought a special repair concoction. And it went through bisque-firing and glaze-firing. It was finally ready to be shipped. The repair itself took a month. In total, from the very beginning to the end it took about 5 months.
It was a dream commission. All pieces came in places, and it was like a puzzle. I knew it was a good work because I was happy with it.
The lovely client was also very happy and he even uses the mask as his avatar. Thank you so much for your trust, patience and understanding. I couldn't be happier to create this piece for you.
You could see sleigh dogs behind.
The initial idea. I wanted it to be asymmetrical, to start with. I don't sketch because sketching will limit my feeling.
However, next day, I realised that it will need a pair of horns. The vikings' bridge has gone, too. I have added more details from the client's life. They have fallen into place naturally.
After a bisque firing. They all stayed on, thankfully.
I was not sure about the forehead. I took a photo and slept over it.
I thought a triangle would go well with the theme of the mask.
In the end, he didn't want the pointing corners.
The first glaze-firing was ok, but he needed dark bluish tinge on the sky parts. This was taken just before the second glaze-firing.
The third glaze-firing. It went well. I was happy with how he came out. I told the client that it was ready to ship.
An accident happened. Whilst packing, a part got broken. Usual repair method failed. I bought a special repair concoction. And it went through bisque-firing and glaze-firing. It was finally ready to be shipped. The repair itself took a month. In total, from the very beginning to the end it took about 5 months.
It was a dream commission. All pieces came in places, and it was like a puzzle. I knew it was a good work because I was happy with it.
The lovely client was also very happy and he even uses the mask as his avatar. Thank you so much for your trust, patience and understanding. I couldn't be happier to create this piece for you.
The client named him Jeg våkner' (I awaken).
You could see sleigh dogs behind.
The details of the church. And a walnut.
