The day warmed on and at 5:30 I made my way from our music studio to the clay studio. I had three things I hoped to accomplish: make more coils, do something to the big goose I've been working on, and model more porcelain birds.
Extruding coils was easy. I'm using them on this piece (what is it????)
It's an exercise in patience and humility actually. Once this thing is finished - if it's finished - I'll post more. Suffice it to say, I have the utmost admiration for anybody who handbuilds with coils. It's slow, it's tedious, and yet it's strangely addictive.
While I was extruding, my good friend, Susan, was footing her pots. While her pots are thrown on the wheel, Sooz foots them in a whimsical, sculptural manner.
I'm especially fond of this one.
Coils extruded, I turned my attention to the goose I worked on last week. The goal was to make a bigger bird, which I did.
The hard part, tonight, was taking it a step or two further in surface deco. The clay was drying. Decisions had to be made. Slip it before the clay goes too dry? Or rely on glazes later? I decided to slip it. I love the warmth of clay w/o glaze. But I also appreciate what a glaze - judiciously applied - can do for a piece.
It's a gamble? So here is Herr Goose, as I left him tonight. Not quite ready for the bisque...but closer.
Time runs out all too soon. So I wasn't able to accomplish my third goal - to model more birds. But I have to say I'm satisfied with the latest birdlets from the gas kiln.
Two out of three goals accomplished. I'll take it! There's always tomorrow.
9 comments:
So glad you saved the turtle; he's pretty big isn't he. When I lived in Arkansas there were so many crossing the roads. When we sold our house the people who bought it said one of the reasons was because they loved my 'Slow, turtle crossing' sign on the long driveway into the property - I miss the turtles.
The glaze on your birds turned out so beautiful. And the slip on your goose is unbelievable. Is the body slip too or is that stain? how did you achieve that multi-tone look - it is great.
Those footed bowls are great. I laughed outloud when I scrolled down to the one with the 'feet' as it was so unexpected and unique.
Are the extrusions for the coiled piece? Wish I had an extruder - I saw how to make one with a caulking gun on Ceramic Arts Daily, I just might have to try making one, one of these days. Well you have me curious as to what the piece will be under the plastic.
Nice to get to visit w. you a bit last night. The goose looks great.
Here is the link of the pinched pots I was telling you about. See ya soon. Hi to Fred.
http://pinchpots.blogspot.com/
Herr Goose looks wonderful. I'm sure the finished piece will be magnificent.
Sometime in the past couple of weeks we were driving somewhere and saw a BIG snapping turtle just getting off of the road after crossing. The shell had to have been almost a foot across. I haven't seen one of those in a while. It was great!
Hi Linda, between the ponds near our studios and the pond in my backyard I'm fortunate to see lots of turtles, herons, kingfishers, even beavers and an otter. And, of course, many Canada geese.
On Herr Goose it's all slip. The multi-tone look comes from rubbing most of the slip away, leaving some black and white in the carved lines. I may still add some iron oxide/rutile. Funny. I had no idea what I would do to him when I arrived at the studio so was pretty much "winging" it. Next challenge will be glaze. Should I glaze or no? Maybe a touch of clear glaze in some areas and not others? Or clear overall? Or none at all? Glazing is always a dilemma for me. ;)
Yes, the extrusions are for the coiled piece. I have to use the behemoth extruder at Clayworks coz' I'm useless trying to roll my own. A caulking gun extruder sounds fascinating. If you make one, please let me know how it works out for you?
Oh, and congratulations on your kiln firing!
Hiya, Ron! Likewise, it was good to see you last night & thanks for the kind word on the goose. Thanks, too, for urging me to go bigger with the birds. Not sure I would have attempted it without your gentle nudge. I appreciate you sending the link. Those pinched pots are gorgeous!
Have a wonderful time at Penland! You'll be missed Tuesday night.
Jer, hi! I'm glad you like the goose. Hopefully he'll make it through the bisque firing and I won't err while glazing him.
Ah yes, snappers! We had one in our wooded area adjacent to the house last year...first one I'd ever seen. Most likely she came up from the pond to lay eggs. She was HUGE and rather intimidating. Have to say she gave me second thoughts about swimming in the pond.
hey, the birds of all sizes look great! Fun to chat with you a bit at the studio last night. Can hardly wait to see what the 'big bird' n the pic looks like after the black slip and all. thanks for the wine, too.
Ooooh big bird and I like the suggestion of feathers on Herr Goose.
This blog is very nice. Amazing!
Sol
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