Many months later, I'm finally getting around to posting photos of my Herradura tequila barrel commission. Besides having great tequila, they have a pretty cool marketing campaign. I think this was the 2nd year they did this - they selected 10 artists in various cities around the US (I was one of the lucky folks from LA for 2014), give them all barrels to go crazy with, then have a big opening event with LOTS of tequila, and judges who decide on the best three and hand out big cash prizes. Sadly, I didn't win, but I will say I had a barrel of fun.
the process - making tons of ceramic tiles, glazing and firing, plus these ceramic "port holes" that I then fired partially to slump glass inside. I probably should have put some make up on for this shot, but yeah, #Imaketileslikethis
The tile-making was just tedious - the hardest part for me was drilling big holes into the thick wood of the barrel, making them just the right size for the port holes to fit, then wiring it up to light up from the inside. The best part was the smell of inside of the charred oak barrel reminded me of chardonnay.
the finished piece on display at the amazing Vibiana in downtown LA
several margaritas in..... that's me in the back, 3rd from left.