Slab Built Clay Projects
Lino-Cut Printed Covered Box
I finished the lino-cut printed box on Wednesday and sort of like how it turned out. When I make another, I plan on making the feet larger because I would like to see it raised up just a tad more. I also incorporated the printed flower motif into the knob which works – after bisque firing, it will be decision time in regards to glaze firing since this is always a stumper for me.
In the meantime, I borrowed a Bill van Gilder DVD from the Colorado Potters Guild library about a week ago. The video was produced in 2008 by the Jackson Pottery & Clay Guild and the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History and is titled Bill van Gilder The Functional Pot: Tips, Tools & Techniques. I haven’t watched the entire video yet, but based on what I have watched, Bill has some excellent tips and techniques that he shares with viewers. I think I’d like him in real life – he seems genuine and down to earth.
Slab Bowl with Stamps
This shallow Square shaped bowl is one of the projects that he shares on the DVD – easy to make, and is endlessly customizable to suit one’s style. I just happened to have some rubber stamps sitting around to test adding texture to the project. I rolled out a slab about 8″ square and then centered the slab over a 2″ block of wood. Where it dried inverted until it was leather hard.
Side View of Slab Bowl
The side view of the bowl is pretty dramatic since I gave this a fairly wide rim. I did use stoneware clay in the hopes that the rim won’t slump during glaze firing – but I suppose the results of this experiment will dictate the rim size for future bowls. I also added feet to the base to raise it off the table top ever so slightly.
Oval Slab Bowl with Handles
This oval shaped bowl was also a project that he demoed in the video – and I just happened to have a form that I was able to use to mimic his project. I added hollow shaped slab handles to each end. I can’t remember if he added handles to his or not – he might have used coil handles since he demoed that technique quite a bit in the video.
Oval Slab Bowl with Handles Side View
After taking this photo, I adjusted the height of the left handle to match the right one which sits at a lower angle. Sometimes, my eyes don’t see what the camera does and vice versa. I debated whether to add feet, or a rolled foot to the base, but I knew that I wanted to raise it off the table surface for glazing purposes. When I’ve made slab bowls in the past, that’s one thing I’ve wanted to correct because when there’s a flat expanse in contact with a table top or kiln shelf, it makes glazing a pain in the behind.
Now, I really have to run. My daughter in interviewing at the Denver Center for International Studies this morning for middle school and we don’t want to be late….
Have a great weekend,
~Cynthia
Eva
January 31, 2009 at 9:33 am //
I’m looking forward to seeing the slab bowl glazed!
Chae
January 31, 2009 at 11:03 am //
Love your plate; it’s a neat design concept and the stamping you’ve done adds a lot of interest.
Intriguingly, i have Bill van Gilder’s book: Wheel-Thrown Pottery and found the straight-forward way he presents his material very helpful.
Shortly after reading it, found myself making an abundance of mixing bowls with spouts & handles !!!
Hugs
Chae
W. J. St. Christopher
January 31, 2009 at 1:53 pm //
All great designs — can’t wait to see how you finish the covered box. I love boxes (collect them) and this one is lovely. I agree about raising it higher, though, and I really like to SEE the feet on a box.
Cynthia
February 1, 2009 at 12:37 pm //
Agreed! Next one…
Mary T.
January 31, 2009 at 3:59 pm //
I really like the way you’ve added the feet and I’m anxious to see the result of the bowl with the big lips! What fun. I like the box lifter of the flower impressed with a design.
Undaunted
January 31, 2009 at 5:17 pm //
Oh wow, these things are fabulous! I really love your new box design and that square bowl is gorgeous. I also really like the idea of feet on the oval bowl.
I hope the interview goes well!
Undaunted
January 31, 2009 at 10:30 pm //
Umm… by the way, did I mention you have an award?
Cynthia
February 1, 2009 at 12:37 pm //
Ooops…I’ve been a bit lax about visiting blogs recently….
Linda Starr
February 1, 2009 at 9:45 am //
Good luck to your daughter. The box turned out great. The square bowl is unusual, I like it, who would have thought a block of wood for a form. What did you use for a form for the bowl – it’s nice with handles and feet too. Can’t wait to see how they turn out in the glazing.
Cynthia
February 1, 2009 at 12:43 pm //
Thanks for the comments everyone! My daughter’s interview went really well and she was much more relaxed this time around. I really like the program and am keeping my fingers crossed that she will be offered a spot for next year. Bonus – parents get to chaperon field trips too!
Janet
February 2, 2009 at 7:08 am //
I really like how the box and square bowl are turning out. Neat idea on using text for imprinting.
Jerry
February 2, 2009 at 9:01 am //
I would bet money that Bill put coiled handles on it. I take classes at his pottery school and, while he is not my instructor, we see a lot of his work around. He does a lot of textured coiled handles. I have taken a workshop with him in the past, and he is a great teacher. He lives about 10 minutes from our house and we pass his studio all of the time.
I like the way your slab bowl turned out.
justice
February 7, 2012 at 10:36 am //
hey im a 9th grader and we are working on slabs in art ….. i need help choosing something easy but looks good (not that good of a pottest but ok at drawing) ( has to have a lid) any sujestions ……… please help thanks