I spent a good part of last weekend in the studio. It was cleaner than it had been in ages, thanks to the tidying I did before the arrival of my new kiln, and the temperature was pleasant making frost bitten fingers a thing of the past (at least temporarily – it is still March afterall).
On Sunday, I loaded the Paragon kiln full of kid’s work for my Monday and Tuesday after school clay classes and then debated what I wanted to make. I stood there and looked at my clay – but I didn’t really want to make any one particular thing. I remembered all the slip that I had stored in my studio and my intention to do a little murrini (most often associated with glass or polymer clay) work with colored porcelain.
Bascially, I added mason stains to porcelain slip in the range of about 10- 15% depending on color. Some are more intense than others. I started each batch out with 1000 grams of slip and then added between 100 and 150 grams of mason stain. At this point, I have a robin’s blue, yellow, and French green. I already have some black, cobalt blue and green slip made up. I intend to make some patterned loaves which I will cut paper thin to apply to wheel thrown work. I may also make some smaller ones to use for jewelry. To mix the slip, I used an immersion blender – and the results look just a bit like a thick creamy milkshake. 
The last image shows the new robin’s egg blue slip drying on plaster. Once the plaster has sucked enough water from the slip, I can wedge the clay up and use.
Meanwhile, I had the most vivid dream ever the other night. I think I must be feeling some anxiety – I have a show coming up in mid-April and I’m participating in the guild’s sale taking place on the first weekend in May. I haven’t been terribly productive lately and am slowly slipping into panic mode. Anyway, the other night, I dreamed that I was making the most wonderful ceramic piece unlike anything I’ve made before – I wonder if I should attempt to make it?
If successful, it will be shown at the:
“Fine Art of Craft: Artists Invite Artists” Invitational
Center for the Arts Evergreen
April 25 – May 23, 2008
Opening is April 25, 2008 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm
I’d better get on it! That’s it for today,
~Cynthia
12 Responses to “Playing with Color & Dreaming”
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Will the mason stain stay the same color once fired?
It should be slightly darker and more intense – however, I am going to fire some tiles to check – both glazed and unglazed.
Go for it!
I think a big audacious project can help kick-start work on the more mundane stuff. Sometimes you just have to feed the artist’s soul!
Barbara
Intriguing! Haven’t had recent inspiration to “work” either.
Also spent yesterday playing with colors! However, used a little different tack — applied a copper wash to a bowl, then covered this with a mixture of Silicon Carbide + CMC. Over this put my usual Rhodes glazes.
On the inside of the piece, put a layer of Rhodes #18, then a salt wash, then another layer of #18.
Also, bought some Red Art clay simultaneously to receiving Obstler’s book and she talks about making a sandwich of Red Art, rolling it thin and applying to pieces — which is on the agenda for today!
It’s interesting to see the parallels in our experiences !!!
Hugs
Chae
I’ve done that show before and it was a good experience. I hope you like it. Once again I didn’t know there were so many processes in clay! It is fun to learn this stuff.
Mmmm, that looks yummy!
Cynthia, I want you to come be my teacher!
Anyway, I noticed on Jafabrit’s blog you said about making dolls with your students? Will you be posting a step by step guide on here too?
A very soft delicate blue Cynthia. Dreams come and go, if you capture one dance with its` spirit.
I love that blue color. So you just tell us about the dream but not what you were making? How fair is that?
Can’t wait to see what you do…I’m waiting on my muse to return from the corner bar…shes out partying till dawn and then sleeps all day.
I’m buying chocolate today to lure her out into the open so I can pounce on her and make her come home and get back to work. LOL
Welcome Barbara – I hope so!
That’s cool Chae – you’re way more adventurous than I right now.
That’s good to hear, Mary – when I first saw your name, I was like, who is Mary T?
I’m not sure Undaunted – I need to make a few proto-types though before class starts.
“If you capture this one, dance with its spirit” – I like that John.
Well, dreams being dreams, Heather – it’s still in my head. But, unlike some dreams that are forgotten the minute we wake up, this one is lingering. It was so very real. Enjoy your chocolate – and send some my way, will you?
Fm this exotic place that is Brazil I`m learning a lot thru yr blog. I`m sure by now you got the inspiration for the new work.
Can’t wait to see what you do with this! Here’s to spring right around the corner – no more frost bitten fingers for months!
Welcome, Deborah – Brazil is some place that I’d like to visit someday. Thanks so much for commenting!
Hey Jessica – I’ll drink to that!