Colorado Art Studio

I’ve been working on some new bowls made from slabs - an alternative to wheel thrown work. I’m getting better at making them, and really like their organic shape and feel. They’re really light weight and each one is truly different. The only problem I’m experiencing - though one I’m working on remedying - is a high level of warpage. If I take the time to dry them slowly, and by slowly I’m talking about 3-4 weeks, I have good success. There’s something charming about my really warped bowls, but they’re not so practical for stacking purposes.

These are made from B-mix, a ^6 stoneware, and glazed with a celadon glaze. The celadon takes on a more yellowish cast when applied to the b-mix vs. a more blue/green color when applied to white porcelain. They look quite lovely stacked up - almost like a head of lettuce or a flower.

Thank you so much to everyone who left congratulation wishes on my acceptance to the guild. I’m very humbled and also really excited about becoming a member. I look forward to meeting my mentor and going through an orientation. Rest assured, I’ll be writing more about the guild in the near future.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend,

~Cynthia

The other day, I was cruising through the blogs that I’ve linked to on my right hand side bar –> and came across a really helpful article on Emily Murphy’s Pottery Blog on how to make a textured rolling pin using a sharpie, a hot glue gun and a rolling pin. It clicked with me and I knew I had to give it a try - since I have been meaning to make some larger plaster texture plates. This is so much easier and less labor intensive. Check out her blog if you want to see the step by step instructions on how to make one yourself.

Just the day before, I had pulled out an older lino-cut relief plate to use to imprint texture on a slab that I really liked. Unfortunately, I don’t currently have a photograph of that bowl. This is a technique that hearkens back to some of my experiments of printing on clay after reading Paul Wandless’ book, Image transfer on Clay. I’ll have to share the results of my relief printed bowl with you at a later date.

In the new issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, local artist Annie Chrieztberg has a feature article on slab construction using texture plates that’s right up my alley too. She’s offering a workshop early next year that I just might have to sign up for.

It just seems like the possibilities are endless when working with clay if you ask me! Meanwhile, I’ve switched clay bodies. I purchased 300 lbs of Laguna’s B-mix ^5 from a potter who is moving - let’s just say the price was right and I wanted to try a new white stoneware. It seems like every time I go into Mile Hi Ceramics they’re out of stock of one of my favorite clays. I really like it. I’ve thrown with it, and now have done some handbuilding and it’s really a nice clay. The truth will be told when I fire and glaze my pieces.

Voilà! My slab texture imprinted bowl! Fini - c’est tout for aujourd’hui.

I’m subbing for 1/2 day kindergarten today, so I’m off.

Be well everyone,

~Cynthia

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