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artist of the month

Mark Yasenchack – Artist of the Month

August, 2015 artist of the month mark yasenchackClay captured Mark’s imagination when he was 6 years old. The grey, oil-based modeling clay that never dries out fascinated him. Whether it was buildings with miniature people, spaceships with miniature aliens, or sharks eating miniature scuba divers, he worked with the clay for hours and his parents worried he was nuts. Fast forward to the present, and Mark is still inspired by clay’s versatility.

“The fine crafts of antiquity, with the patina of ruin and time and worn from use, are my greatest influence, especially those relics with no known providence: their place in history lost and mysterious. The challenge is to create detailed and ornate work without being gaudy and awkward. I avoid phony techniques to simulate age and the wear of use, preferring to give the work character by creating depth on the surface by stamping the clay and subtle color changes by layering washes of underglaze.”

Stop in the gallery and enter to win one of his handbuilt ceramic boxes, just for visiting us. Two winners will be drawn on September 1.

Lend a hand in creating a mosaic mural with ceramic artist Mark Yasenchack, at Cedar Fairmount’s Summer Festival on August 9!

Starting with clay, glass and stone tiles, you will create an image using the ancient technique of mosaic craft. It is often a loose assemblage of found elements very similar to collage. Use Mark’s supplied clay, glass and stone tiles – plus your creativity! Mark is donating the finished mosaic for installation in the Heights community.

 

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