TRICIA TOONE | artist & teacher

Skele Guitar

I'm currently collaborating with my husband, Rick Toone, on his new "Skele" guitar design. He designs and builds original, custom instruments. This one is a very unusual adaptation of a Telecaster shape. Check out the details at RICK TOONE | LUTHIER: Interchangeable Guitar & Bass Bodies

I am painting the Jolly Roger inspired bones. Oil on shellacked wood.

First Grade Clay

In first grade, we were practicing pinching and pulling to make a form in clay. Eventually, I will introduce making a form by attaching clay pieces with scoring and slip. Although they are working with air dry clay now, I want them to develop good habits. 

Towards the end of the session, I handed out toothpicks and demonstrated how it could be used to make texture and carvings. At that point, the sculptures took a turn as students also found some interesting uses for this new tool. 

Here is a Triceratops made by pinching and pulling.  

This little wolf has so much character. He used the toothpicks to make fur texture. 

As soon as toothpicks were in sight, one boy was inspired to make this porcupine. 

A toothpick became a handle for this little bowl.