getting down to it

okay, so it's not really winter anymore...spring around the corner, daffodils in full bloom, blossoms snowing down in the wind, the peas and broad beans peeking up...
so its time wake up from my mentlal hibernation and get down to it, making of a more productive sort, or a more regular routine. this week was mugs, egg cups, juice cups, tumblers, and platters!
here's shots from the afternoon...

BEFORE (platters off the hump molds, with rims finished):

DURING (stencils chosen and placed around, not yet attached):

AFTER (slip poured over stencils, then slip trailing, sgraffito, text, etc...and stencils pulled off)

hoping to load the platters and everything else in the kiln tomorrow!

Art Show

if you are in Victoria come and check this art show at the Gage Gallery in Oak Bay. It's a photo show, and i have a couple of ceramic pieces (seen in process a few posts ago) in it : sgraffito platters based on my dad's photos:

holy hummingbirds!

yes the hummingbirds have been buzzing busily about searching for nectar. the fuchsias really just finished a week or two ago (really!). i managed to sketch a few before they were done and combine a sgraffito version with some hummingbird stencils. having fun with it. the white bowl was the first piece i made, and some of the underglazes burned out a bit, weren't think enough, so i made sure to apply 3 or 4 coats of slip and underglaze on the platter.

i am hoping to play with some basic washes over the winter. try them as a kind of watercolour over the slip. been using a mix of 1 part stain or oxide with 1 part gerstley borate, mixed with water, and they come out nice and vibrant. keep you posted!

a little colour

well you remember the first framed platter pieces i made? I have the second generation, these with some colour! it's pale, i know, but I am easing into it (and the photos are a little washed out). Tried a few different sources or texture and have since made some texture rollers which i used on the third generation (not yet fired). amasing how hard it is to squeeze in a little experimentation here and there! but i already started working on xmas orders, so i guess i know what's in store for the next few months...


bike love. with tread.








pig for fun. with different tread.









two trees. yes, with cedar.
not very original, i know.






let me know what you think!