I first began to draw my conceptual sketches while looking at a photograph of a woman in the process of running. I was intrigued by the configuration of her leg muscles as they were tensed to take a running step. I traced and sketched some of her leg muscles in various repeating patterns until I found a pattern that I found interesting and then I developed upon this sketch to create my final concept. My concept was based upon the power and explosive potential held in her leg muscles and the ability that they had to create movement while they were not currently in motion. I used the curvature of leg muscles in my sculpture and made the final piece very smooth to represent the compactness and curves of the muscles. I saw the muscles in the picture to be very smooth and curved, and I considered both of these qualities when forming the texture of my final piece.
At first, I found plaster to be very difficult to work with once dry. My plaster was very crumbly and I found it difficult to be precise, which was frustrating to me because I can be quite a perfectionist. I was not eager to use big hammers and chisels to make a detailed and precise piece, but I eventually learned to use the tools gently and carefully in order to create the precise details that I wanted to create. I learned to tap the chisel lightly with the hammer, as hard hits would shatter parts of the piece. I also learned to be very precise about the angles I used with the chisel so as not to carve too much of my sculpture off with one hit of the hammer.
I was un experienced with plaster carving before this project, as I had never used it before. I thought that it would be softer and flakier but found it to be dry and dustier and more difficult to carve exactly. I did not originally intend on creating a completely smooth piece, but after some experimentation with the buffing tools and the sandpaper, I decided that I enjoyed the effect created by smooth curves and lines. Next time, I would ideally use a more complex concept when carving plaster because the majority of my piece was smooth indents without big changes in texture or form. I would like to create a more complex and adventurous sculpture in the future using plaster because I found it overall enjoyable to work with, despite being tedious. I found the carving experience relaxing and I enjoyed smoothing the sculpture. However, I believe that making a more complex or interesting sculpture would have a more pleasing visual effect.
