Prepping for 'The Ribbon'

RIBBON PIECE
I am so excited to have an artwork at the Antler/Talon Gallery for their special show, The Ribbon. The exhibit is about the circle of life, rebirth, and emergence. It is a celebration of Susannah Kelly's life, one of the co-creators of the gallery with her husband Neil.

Getting ready for a show is like an athlete in training! Every artist has their way, mine is pretty specific.
I clean the studio, prep all the work stations....in this case I am using about 5 areas (in and outdoor) for one piece!
And of course I had months of sculpting and final firings to ready the porcelain components.

PAINTS: Ready the china paints: since most of my paints are rare and old pigments, I do run out of favorite colors and must scrounge from china painters or order colors faintly in the ballpark. As china painting is a fading art, there seem to be very few companies left in the business.
I am making china paint samples in the rage of pinks today since I need very specific colors for this piece. I paint way more flowers than needed, and usually start with them for warming up the the special big parts.  However, I cannot wait to paint the falcon and snakes in this work. 
BRAISING THE COPPER: Clearing the braising table for the long strands of ivy making. A key ingredient of my new work for The Ribbon. I also am working on acanthus leaves and other foliage. hundres of leaves await-precut.
SANDING: A sanding area. There is extensive sanding just to get my porcelain parts ready. Both in greenware and bisque stage. Then after the high fire 'Bisque', I sand a final time in a high grit. Either by hand or with a Dremel or both. Even tiny buds only 3/16 wide. A soft smooth surface creates a better final coat. 
NEXT....MAKE BACKGROUND PART: My studio has multiple areas... porcelain/paint/wood/copper/assemblage/adhesive/spray paint.....you get the idea!
And making the boxes or mounting wood parts is critical to get the final layout of an artwork. Today I finish a round wood disc by cutting hardwood, sanding and then about 6 coats of black gesso sanded each layer with a final coat of uv sealant put on tomorrow. I use an antique metal cart outside on the braising deck.
ASSEMBLAGE: I am far from the final days (but only 5 weeks to completion and delivery) but I have to have an area to work on assembly. I usually have a preconceived notion of a layout, but this piece has eluded me. So I am using AI imagery to assemble theoretical versions....Then I put pieces out on the assembly table in trays to get a closer notion of final imagery. 

MAKING: But its GO TIME! And the energy is flowing, the music pumping! (Chilltrax). Pour another espresso and get it done!