Just Out of the kiln

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Babs

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Porcelain Clay Head Drying and Firing

Posted on September 15, 2018 by Babs

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Are we there yet?

The photos above take you through the some of the stages of drying. Moving from tightly wrapping in plastic, to loosely wrapped to air drying. I planned to let it dry for 3 weeks. It ended up being longer, until I had enough work to fill the kiln.

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Above is the piece from greenware to bisque. It was fired at 04 in my manually operated Evenheat Model K Kiln.

Since this is not intended to be a functional work to hold water as a vase or be a vessel for food. My choices for finish are unlimited. Do I fire again to cone 6 using; Underglazes, Iron Oxide washes, Clear glaze. Or opt for a more predictable cold finish: with acrylics, stains, or other non-firing patinas?If I decide to use a cold finish should I fire again to vitrify at cone 6?

We aren’t there yet. To be continued

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Hanging an Exhibit at a coffee shop

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Babs

This is the first time I have exhibited my work at coffeehouse. Sweewaters Cafe on Washington St in Ann Arbor, MI is a great space.

Founded in 1993 by Wei and Lisa Bee in downtown Ann Arbor. They now have locations in several other States.20180819_0827221535943657.jpgIt can be challenging for a 3-D artist to transition to wall hanging pieces. The 15 works on display here are the most I have ever created.

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Designing narrative figurative sculpture in boxes is not new for me. I have enjoyed the process of mixing my sculpture with other media and found objects from the beginning.

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In the last two years I have learned to enjoy creating relief tile pieces like those above. This process is like drawing and allows me to complete work more quickly because of the smaller surface area and the faster clay drying time.

I am hoping this exposes my work to a wider audience and possibly generates some sales or commissions.

I would  love to learn other clay artist experience with untraditional exhibit settings.

 

 

 

 

 

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