Oops
2 weeks ago, I included a photo of my ceramic UFO from last summer that I had dipped in a celadon glaze. I searched high and low for that piece on the glaze shelf at the Art Student’s League last week and couldn’t find it. That’s because I didn’t recognize it! I had glazed the interior with a white glaze, then antiqued the exterior with a black underglaze and wiped away most of it so that the black would catch in the edges of the design. After this process, I then dipped it in a celadon glaze which is a beautiful aqua color when fired in an electric kiln to cone 6 (or 2291° F).
That is the piece that I was looking for; instead, I found the pot that you see above with barely a hint of celadon. I asked my instructor what the heck had happened, because I know for darn sure that I had dipped it in celadon and have the pictures to prove it. Persnickity ceramics! She thinks that it is because I didn’t allow enough drying time between glaze applications and for some odd reason, there was too much water in the piece. Lest you think I’m frustrated, I’m not…just gaining a better apprectiation for the medium. Here’s my new mantra: I will not rush my ceramic work, for when I do I’m bound to make silly mistakes! Here me now and remind me later, okay?
You may remember from my last glaze test tiles, the color wasn’t what I expected, so I redid the test and tweaked the amount of cobalt in the recipe. Guess what? No significant change! So, I am on round 3 of glaze testing. I eliminated the cobalt all together and, fingers crossed it will turn out blue/green. I should know next Wednesday.
In other news, I found out that the piece that I donated to the Art Student’s League sold during their Mini March Madness auction on March 3–here’s the exciting news–it sold for more than my estimated value and to someone I don’t know!
Pinky
March 10, 2007 at 8:04 pm //
Even though there isn’t much celadon in this piece, I really like the way it came out. I think it looks VERY cool. I may have to buy it from you! (I’m serious about that!)
I’m glad you are taking the time to really pursue your dreams. You are kicking it into high gear getting so much done and moving forward with your business. I hope that soon, I will be able to do the same. I have spent all day in my little studio, so that’s a start!
LOVE the pot!!
Angela
March 10, 2007 at 9:17 pm //
I think that it came out good! I know that I can’t do pottery very well at all..and all I can say about everything in this pot is YOU GOOO GIRL!
Janvangogh
March 11, 2007 at 12:16 am //
Good sign if a stranger bought your work. Yay!
Nancy Van Blaricom
March 11, 2007 at 4:22 am //
Congratulation’s on the sale. Also gotta tell you I like what you are doing to intergrate the looks of both your web-site and blog. Boy do I gotta lot to learn.
Mary Timme
March 11, 2007 at 10:46 pm //
I really, really like the piece even without much of the celadon color. It is very striking.
Ah, that waiting! It is hard. I still struggle with it.
HMBT
March 12, 2007 at 11:25 am //
I like the pot too…an example of the educational process of creating original art. I like the new banner too, it really looks great with your web site and all. Keep on keeping on and soon you’ll have colors that are all Cynthia and special to your unique style of creation. Congrat’s on the aution sale…see you simply rock! (pun intended for the whole earth series!)
Cynthia
March 12, 2007 at 1:41 pm //
Thanks Pinky, initially I didn’t really like the pot, but it’s growing on me. You know when you’re expecting 1 thing, and you find another? I guess that was my reaction.
Hey Angela, pottery and clay is definitely a life long learning adventure. I learn new things everyday.
I was really happy about that Janet!
Thanks noticing Nancy…it’s slowly coming around. But, it feels like I’m finally getting it.
Thank you Mary, I was never very good at waiting…I like instant gratification myself.
Teehee Heather!
Felicia
March 12, 2007 at 10:40 pm //
But it still looks fantastic even if it wasn’t the intended effect.
Oriri
March 13, 2007 at 8:19 pm //
Oh wow. Unintended or not, I really like that! Very, very unusual.
And the Chinese blue green glaze is beauuutiful! I love blue greens anyway, but that is a very graceful combination!
(I found you through the Etsy Sellers Who Blog ring, by the way!)
W. J. St. Christopher
March 13, 2007 at 10:27 pm //
Your blog’s looking great, Cynthia!
I love the pot, but would like to see a semi-transparent silvery wash of some sort on it. (Yep, my mind is a scary place.
Congrats on your auction piece!
W. J. St. Christopher
March 13, 2007 at 10:31 pm //
Cynthia, I’m sorry to hear about your sweet “Helper”. I’m glad you were able to be with him.
Cynthia
March 13, 2007 at 11:01 pm //
Thanks Felicia and Oriri! I should cruise the Etsy ring again…I haven’t done it in awhile.
Hi W.J. Silver would be hard unless I use a luster glaze or did a cold suface treatment-see post above. Thanks for your comments about Helper. I have a photo I took at our state capitol that made me think of you. I’ll try to share that this week sometime.