My Summer of Clay!

Smokestack Pottery gleams white against a very blue sky.

What fun it is to play with clay!

After so many years focusing on other aspects of art, it is great fun that I button my big-shirt smock, remove my rings and watch and immerse my hands back into the possibilities of clay!

I've never been much of a "wheel-throwing" potter, preferring the pieces I could hand-build from slab. Even then, my pottery tends to be more whimsical, "free form" and "interesting." I would hesitate to call it "functional."  

Pieces dry on a shelf waiting to be dried completely in the bisque kiln.

This summer, though, I've been trying to improve my "wheel work" and creating pieces that are recognizable--like a plate (far left, front) and pieces using ginko leaves (two "slab work" pieces center front) as a design in the clay.

(Sadly, the nifty pitcher and the container with lid are not mine.)

I do think I'm one of the contenders for Queen of the Small Bowl category, too.  Not large bowls, like for a salad, but small like a "taste" of ice cream or a couple spoons of chili or even to hold a few paper clips.  

"Green ware" (after it comes out of the bisque kiln) waits for glazing.

In this photo you can see some of my Small Bowls (some are upside down and stacked inside other small bowls.)  I have applied a cold wax to the bottoms in preparation for glazing, which I'll do next week.

Also in this photo you'll see an abstract "face pencil holder" (center front) and a two-part Fairy House (front left.)  

Yes, even though I'm giving extra attention to my "wheel work," my "slab work" continues to call my name!

Buckets of glaze create a rainbow of color options.

The glazing area is located in the basement of the building where it is comfortably cool (especially on above 90-degree days) and quiet.

On the table (left) are samples of glazes and combinations of glazes that are incredibly helpful when trying to select the ideal color/look for each piece of green ware. 

 















I have always been intrigued with faces, such as these taken from a recent visit to the Cleveland Art Museum.

I may not begin a hand-building session with the intention of creating a face, but sometimes as I am working with the clay it seems as if there is a face that "wants" to emerge from the clay.  

I often wonder if ancient potters/sculptors had an image in mind before they began or if the clay decided the face!  (Which so often happens to me!)

This is the first face I created when classes began in May, "The North Wind Doth Blow," as it dries before it went into the bisque kiln.

I always have to remember that there is a 17% shrinkage so once this face was ready to be glazed, it was 6 inches long x 6 inches wide!

"The North Wind Doth Blow," as a finished piece.

This piece, as yet unnamed, is currently in the bisque kiln.  

This piece, also unnamed, was created yesterday.  It's slowly drying and not yet ready for bisque.

Next week is the final class for my first session.  I will have lots of pieces to fire and when the door to the kiln is finally opened, it will feel like Christmas morning!!!

(That is, if the glazing was applied correctly and did not adhere to the shelving.)  (It happens.  Not often, but sometimes glazes run.)

The best part for me, of course, is SHARING pieces with my family and friends! (Also complete strangers if they look at all interested.)

It is my belief that everyone can use a Small Bowl--even one with a glaze combination that would be best not attempted again.

Or, maybe, a Creative Work that is best defined by the imagination and whimsy of the recipient.

To insure I have LOTS of pieces to share, I have enrolled for a second session which will provide 8-weeks of Clay Time, taking me through summer and into September!!!  Woo-hoo!!!