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Rainbowl is a paper mache and paper pulp bowl I cast from a glass bowl.

All > "Art" > Sculpture > Rainbowl is a paper mache and paper pulp bowl I cast from a glass bowl. by humdinger

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I created Rainbowl as a piece to be entered in an art show which occurs annually where I work. This is the first piece I completed and the first piece I entered in an art show. I loved working on this project.

I was thinking "rainbows" from the start with this project because my son and I both love rainbows and we are currently painting a rainbow with clouds on his bedroom wall. As such, rainbows were foremost on my mind when my ideas began to come together and the project began to take shape.

The bow around the bowl, of course, is the rainbow, and there are clouds on the bottom of the inside of the bowl as well as a soft looking, cloud-like rim around the top of the bowl.

I used Paper Mod Podge and parchment paper to create the bowl from paper mache using a favorite glass bowl of mine as a mould. After applying a release agent, I applied 6 layers of paper mache to the mould, allowing time for each layer to dry completely. I used a different color of parchment paper (pastels) for each layer to ensure complete coverage.

As the final layer dried, I shredded parchment paper and placed the strips into a stock pot, covering them with water. I allowed them to soak for about a week. During this time, I released the bowl from the mould and trimmed the rim to achieve a clean and uniform look. I then applied a couple of coats of gesso to the bowl. It helped to give the surfaces of the bowl a more smooth appearance. Once the gesso was thoroughly dry, I painted the bowl blue inside and out.

At this point I made paper pulp using the soaked strips of paper and molded it onto the bowl, creating the bow, bands of the rainbow, clouds, and cloud-like rim of the bowl. I allowed the pulp to dry. Once completely dry, I painted the rainbow bands and bow with the colors of the rainbow. I painted the rim of the bowl and the clouds on the inside base of the bowl white. Once the paint was dry, I applied a clear, acrylic sealant.

I estimate that I spent about 30 hours working on this project.

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This view is the back of the bowl.

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This is the front of the bowl.

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