Whale and Dolphin Ceramic Drum commission

[Bob in SF]

Back to some slow and muddy turning this week - fun commission for a marine biologist/hand-drummer who studies hump back whales and dolphins; he wanted a tunable hand drum with an ancient look:
Wheel-turned in 2 sections from well-wedged mounds of Navajo red (cone 6) clay
2 pieces joined by scoring and slip and coils of clay, carefully leveled
Whale-shaped applique for that guiro (scraper) sound
2 holes cut to permit palm tuning (and sound projection)
Dried to leather hardness, airbrushed (outside) with some underglaze
Whale and dolphin (mother/daughter) images scratched through the underglaze
Bisque fired, then final fired at cone 6
Soaked goat skin glued in place with Titebond III using a worm gear hose clamp
Drum head skin dressed with a ring of bridal leather
(plays well and he's happy):

Best regards to all - Bob

 

[D.Oliver]

Is there any end to your talents Bob?

 

[Jim15]

Looks great. You are a very talented man!

 

[Bob in SF]

Humble thanks for your kind words Derek and Jim!

We are all so lucky to work raw materials with reverence - pure joy, and it's often the best of the human quest.

One of my mentors often quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Contented industry is the wellspring of human happiness"

Happy Friday - Bob

 

[OLDMAN5050]

Wish I could see it black box with x where the photo is supposed to be..

 

[Bob in SF]

David - I'm not sure why the image doesn't show up for you - but here's another try - hope these images are visible:

And here's a better close-up of Mama and baby whales:

Best regards - Bob

 

[magpens]

Fantastic work, Bob !!!!!

 

[Bob in SF]

Sincere thanks, Mal.

 

[Phillip Kelley]

I had the same problem with the "X" thanks for re-posting..... looks great!

 

[Bob in SF]

Thanks kindly, Phillip!

I always enjoy these little "assignments".