33 Bowls . . .

. . . for a wedding.

Welcome to a "Test Fest"

The Ceramics scholarship I received required creating and completing a project to benefit the Ceramics department.  I decided to do a lot of testing -- colorants in engobes, glaze combinations, underglazes, and foil saggar "ingredients".   These were exhibited in the studio at end of the semester.  

Perhaps I should have clarified the meaning of "Test Fest".  The first day of the exhibit, when the Ceramics I students arrived for class and saw "Test Fest", they about turned around and walked out, thinking they were going to be given some surprise quizzes.  Sorry, guys!

Guide to the Four Centers

Test results were set up in four separate "centers".  This brochure explained each center's test results and provided sources for more information.

The Four Centers

Foil Saggar Pot

This semester's class with Bob Smith (bobsmithraku.com)  is all about low temperature firings.  I am falling in love with it!

The vase came out of our very first firing.  Designs are created by fumes from various ingredients packed inside the foil package (kind of like a baked potato).

This particular pot was "decorated" with:  copper wire, salt, sugar, poppy seeds, Miracle Gro, steel wool, bronze wool, copper carbonate and horse hair.  Who knew?!  (Our instructor, apparently.  :-)  )

And I was thrilled it received 2nd Place at the Parkview Fine Arts Festival!

Sgraffito Mountain Scene Plates

These plates probably give new meaning to the phrase, "Eating off the land".   (Ooooo....maybe it's better to hang them.  :-)  The foot on each plate is trimmed with a deep-enough crevice to accommodate a nail. )  

Two of these are actual Colorado mountains.  Can you tell which?

Tea Set

One of the criteria for our class' final project was for it "to be obsessive, compulsive, or repetitive".  I figured even without a project, I was already obsessive and compulsive about pottery.  :-)   

Actually, there is one more piece -- a platform -- to make it just a bit more obsessive.  It hasn't yet made the glaze firing . . . will see if it survives.

Nan & Jim McKinnell

Nan & Jim

This fascinating book about the McKinnells was published just this year.  It's a great read! The author is Susan Schoch, spouse of another well-known clay artist -- Bob Smith, who will be my instructor next semester.  How lucky can I be?!      

Lantern

I have the awesome honor of receiving a Nan & Jim McKinnell Scholarship to the Ceramics program at Arapahoe Community College for the 2013-2014 academic year.  

The McKinnells have made tremendous contributions to modern ceramics over the past fifty years. Their knowledge of technical aspects made them pioneers in the fields of glaze formulation and kiln design. Their generosity with information and their enthusiasm for ceramic art have made them beloved mentors and teachers of many aspiring potters and artists. The McKinnells have also met and interacted with the leading ceramic artists of their time - and of the twentieth century. 

- http://www.mckinnellceramics.com/career-history/

This lantern was the result of an assignment first semester from my instructor, well-known clay artist Robin Furuta and head of the ACC Ceramics program, for a handbuilt project to represent our passion.  My list of passions was so long, it was most difficult to choose.  But I love vines, and I love light, so the leaves on the carved vines represent many (and constantly growing) interests and passions.  And I love how the glaze reflects the light inside -- which I'm sorry that you can't see, because I neglected to bring a match to the photography room.  

Two Bowls with Handles

 

Holly Bowl

Glaze Combination Favorites

When we unloaded the last kiln firing, another potter asked to buy this bowl right then . . .  so I took a quick photo.  This is another glaze combination that I really like.

This glaze combination has become one of my favorites . . . partly because of the varied and surprising results.

Sgraffito

Sgraffito (in Italian "to scratch") is a decorating technique produced by applying layer(s) of color to leather-hard pottery, and then scratching off parts of the layer(s) to reveal the clay color underneath.  I am loving it!

Experimenting with Painting . . .

Vases

Miniature Vases . . . 

. . . and one that ate its Wheaties.

Chip & Dip

A small bowl . . . 

Plus . . . A large platter

Equals . . . A Chip & Dip!

A small tray . . .

 . . .  Cheese, anyone?

. . . And a Free-Form Pot

Bowl with Handles