While visiting family on Christmas, I scored some great pods.
Apparently the large pods are from a type of Cassia tree. It is also known as the Golden Medallion tree. It was nearly dark when I took the photo so difficult to tell what it really looks like.
This is an image from the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute site at Cal Poly.
Detail image of the pods–
The pods are beautiful! They have little woody shelves for the seeds. And according to the Urban Forest Ecoosystems the Cassia seeds are poisonous. That is so great. Another material to use in my work!
I snagged these Cassia pods during Thanksgiving. When I hung them in my studio they were green then, now they are not.
I also collected some pods from a vine that grows on the wall around the pool.
The flat interior piece brings to mind an African shield.
In the process of completing a series using these pods. “Change” is the working title of the series, but that could change.
Leaning toward constructing concrete structures for the pods to live in.
I have been making concrete tests to determine if that is the correct direction.
These are a few of the test results. I used concrete and hypertufa mixtures. Then cast them in silicone molds.
My hope is to find a nice concrete mix that works for me. Then to use some of my ceramic aggregates and oxides to add texture and color.
Also constructing mixed media panels that will be coated with concrete, then aged. If I find materials that work well with a concrete mix I will construct a structure for each of the pods.
This is just a fun thing that I noticed in my studio. I had been using wax to made fire starters and candles to give for gifts. A seed from the pool pods landed next to a drop of wax.
