In June 2019 I made three tall women figurines. I love how they turned out, and I loved making them. It is important to me to create such figures. I try to convey strength, humor, and resilience in each one.
I decided to give each one an individual post and then I’ll show them to you as a group.
The figurines are about 15″ tall, made of lowfire white clay or terracotta clay fired at cone 06, colored with Velvet underglazes.
When I was photographing the figurines, I took individual and group shots. In doing the group photos, I was taken by the strangest feeling that the figurines were enjoying themselves and displaying their personalities. I’m not talking about a little fiction I’m making up about fired clay statues to give them a story; I mean I really did feel it. I’m hoping it means that when they go to whatever place on this earth they are meant to be, standing on a shelf or a table or ledge, they will bring along a good feeling with them to the people they are associated with.
Here are the photos I took of the three figurines as a group.
Claudia McGill and Her Art World 
I love them too. Louise
Thank you.
PS I like the face on the middle one.
Thank you. I try to give them an expression that is pleasant but thoughtful, sometimes it takes a few tries because they come out looking cross or angry, which I don’t want!
These are so lovely. Imagine how they’d brighten your day if they were real and you came across them in the supermarket!
Thank you. You know, I don’t know about the rest of the look, but I could easily make patterned fabric (paint on fabric with various fabric paints etc.) and create the outfits they have…I did a lot of fabric work 25 years ago or so including some fabric patterns painted on yardage… It would fun to be a living Tall Lady, I think no matter how it came about.
That sounds like an intriguing idea, Claudia. Why not give it a whirl? It would be great fun, don’t you think? They are beautiful.
Thank you. I haven’t done any fabric work for so long. The idea had left my mind. Hmmm…I may need to think about this!
Love the ladies!
Thank you. I like the way this group looks together.
Easter Island!
Yes, I see the resemblance. Although I hope they are a little less stern. I don’t make them this way to emulate the stone figures, I just make them as I seem to make them, but…I have had a fascination with those E.I. statues since I was a child and read Aku Aku by Thor Heyerdahl. I’m still fascinated decades later.
They always look so pleasing gathered together. I think the contrasts between them make their individual personalities more emphatic.
Thank you. I have to admit I’m really happy with these taller figurines and how they turned out, and each one with a facial expression that I believe is serene but with some humor, that I hope a person might enjoy having as a “companion” at home or whatever.
They look so great together! They are definitively filled with life. (K)
Thank you. I sort of think of them as inheritors of the household goddess figurine idea of the ancient times, my version, but for me just a focus for remembering good thoughts and that there are people and forces in this world that are good.
They seem to be pleased with your skills.
Thank you. I hope so. I love making them and to me they are messengers of good thoughts, wherever they end up in the world. Nothing cosmic, just my way to express a little hope and peacefulness.
They’re lovely…
Thank you!