Anna's Ceramics

Unglazed

2012-02-16T08:31:00.001+11:00

These little pieces are destined to become jewellery. They are porcelain and textured and then decorated using tissue prints. They are going in raw and unglazed with my other glazed pieces. When they come out I will wet sand them to give them a bit of a sheen. The colour will be fired into the clay.
A bit of a late decision so I dried them on a wire rack under my birds new cage :^)
See you over on Mud Colony checking out the other posts this week...

thanks to CeramiCraft

2012-02-13T20:59:00.001+11:00

Today I picked up my prize from CeramiCraft - the Western Australia Suppliers who ran a give away comp on Facebook recently.
So very generous that I had to show you what they sent as my gift for Liking their Facebook page:

Those green tools on the left should be useful for my next handbuilding project and the brochure about Duncan glazes looks interesting too. Most of their glazes are for earthenware but looks like they have a few mid fire ones too that I might have to try. They even sent a lolly pop for when I need a sugar boost! :^) Thanks guys.

Swagger

2012-02-11T12:32:00.001+11:00

My pots are out of the bisque and I'm having some fun experimenting with some of them. This little vase now has some swagger :^) Some of the lines are guides in normal graphite pencil while the rest will fire on with the clear glaze. This is my post for this weeks MudColony - hop over see what others have been doing this week.

Wheel thrown porcelain fired to bisque with ceramic pencil drawing 2010

Sharing

2012-02-02T12:38:00.001+11:00

I don't have my own kiln and belong to a local pottery group that hires its kilns to members. Unfortunately the building in which they are housed is being renovated and the group can't use them right now :(
However, as I have said in previous post, potters are a generous bunch and my friend, Pauline, is allowing me to share her kiln.
Here are my works just packed in her kiln ready for bisque:

You might wonder what those spots are? RAINdrops! :( Pauline's kiln is outside and though it was light rain, enough for the spots to show!

Two summers ago we were inundated with bush fires across the state, this year it is floods with many roads in the north west of the state closed due to flood waters.

Here in Sydney the gutters are flowing but other wise we are OK - just cold and wet...

check out what other potters are doing this week at Mud Colony.

Revisiting past work

2012-01-28T08:57:00.000+11:00

I've just been reading Linda Starr's blog, about pit firing and remembered some past efforts of my own. Not something I have done a lot of but always enjoyed the result when I did.
I have a couple of images on my portfolio blog, AnnasCeramicPortfolio down under 'Early Work'.
I also have these which made up a fountain in the garden and are still going strong after all these years, of course we rarely get frosts here.

These were wheel thrown using a mix of a grogged white stoneware and terracotta clays then burnished, bisque fired, reburnished and pit fired.

Tooo Humid!

2012-01-26T16:44:00.000+11:00

It is over 80% humidity and still showery here today which means nothing is dry enough to trim! My electric heat gun had a hissy fit and whined, "I'm too hot" after just one bowl, gave up, had lunch, tried again and did one more bowl before it started to overheat again :(
So, I have handles on a couple of mugs from the other day and several mug bodies and a few other things that didn't want to be mugs. Hope I can fit in some trimming tomorrow and put some pedestals on those bowls.

Bowl number two - pedestal to come later

Little one in front didn't want to be a mug - when trimmed will be a little vase


Mug bodies dry please (but not too much)

this post is also for Mud Colony, and my Facebook page.

The Generosity of Potters

2012-01-19T18:31:00.001+11:00

Yesterday I went with friends from the Port Hacking Potters Group to visit Toolijooa Old School Pottery just past Gerringong on the NSW Illawarra coast.

Roger Graham and his wife, Pauline, made us welcome with a cuppa and showed us around their workshop. Roger is quite an inventor and has produced some remarkable tools to make his work easier. He happily shares many of these on his website: Toolijooa Old School Pottery

Being the generous soul that he is, he gave each of us a gift. A test tile holder for which he has made up his own extruder die. Here is a pic - I think it is brilliant. His tile are flat rectangles with a hole thru so when fired they can be threaded on a wire taking up less room.

(I forgot to say I'm sharing this post with Mud Colony - a great ceramics blog group started by the wonderful Adriana Christianson) Do pop over and check it out - lots of great post links.

Detail of bisque fire holder

Each holder will take 3 test tiles and easily fits between other pots

In the other direction

2012-01-12T21:42:00.001+11:00

As I said in the previous post we then went off in the other direction and ran into some summer snow... it was great catching up with family and having time to think about some new work. Hope you enjoy the travelogue - more clay soon I promise...

Heading out of town again

Some mountains a change of weather approaching

Lake Jindabyne was man made to feed a huge Hydro Electric project just after WWII

I believe this type of snow is referred to as Sago

Enough to make tracks

then the sun came out again


State number three, Australian Capital Territory..

Back to the coast again

Two Road Trips Across Three States

2012-01-12T21:24:00.003+11:00

As is the case with many families, ours is spread around, both across the country and across the world. My husband and I have been catching up with a few which resulted in lots of driving, firstly from Sydney NSW to Brisbane, QLD and back - next was in the opposite direction thru the ACT to the Snowy Mountains in Southern NSW where is snowed which is not unknown but as it is our summer doesn't happen all the time - fortunately we had a day at home in between to take appropriate clothing :^) Here are some snaps from the car or near the roadside...

Half way to Qld. Look closely for the Water Hen on the river bank

Close up of a Straw flower in a Qld garden, a cultivar of a native flower.

Sugar Cane growing close to the road


Close up of Paper Bark Tree

A beautiful gum tree at a roadside stop

Great driving weather along with the other holidaying drivers

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T21:55:00.001+11:00

Wishing all the best for 2012. I hope it is a really good year in every way for you and your family.

Wedgwood Museum in trouble

2011-12-21T11:10:00.003+11:00

The UK's Wedgwood Museum which has an extensive collection of Wedgwood dating back to its origins plus Wedgwood family historical items may have to be sold up to pay into a pension fund for employees of the Waterford Crystal company which went out of business in 2009. (Read more here: http://meetmedaily.com/wedgwood-museum-faces-selloff-to-pay-134m-pension-debt-after-court-ruling/)

I was lucky enough to visit the Museum when in the UK last year and it was such a pleasure to be able to follow the history of Wedgwood and see pieces in person which I had admired in books. I hope the campaign to save the collection for the public will be successful. The UK Studio Potters have suggestions here: http://www.studiopottery.co.uk/blog/?p=737

The collection includes these family portraits by Stubbs

Pieces of the dinner service made for a Russian Empress

All in chronological order


a complete history of the company I also hope that the Wedgwood Visitors Centre, on the same site will be allowed to continue although without the Museum it would be out of context. I was able to throw this little pot using Jasperware clay, have it bisqued and mailed home. It was such a thrill.

An Online Writing Course Tuned to Ceramics

2011-12-20T14:43:00.004+11:00

Ever thought you would like to write articles for ceramic magazines or just be more confident writing proposals for exhibitions etc?

Potter/Teacher/Writer, Owen Rye is proposing to run such a course, online:

(click on his name to view his website)

The Writing Workshop.

The tutor for this workshop is Owen Rye, well known in Australian ceramics both for his woodfired ceramics and for his writing. He has published three books, the most recent on woodfiring in Australia, and many articles in ceramics magazines in Australia, USA, England, Germany, Ireland, China and New Zealand.

He originally learned the ‘academic style’ of writing to publish archaeology research, but gradually has moved through a less formal stage to a more personal style and now enjoys story telling. As a result of these changes he can advise about a variety of writing styles.

Why would you do this workshop?

The main aim of the workshop is to maintain your personal style, but develop your writing for maximum clarity and readability, rather than to try to move you towards an artificial style. Writing is personal and the workshop respects that. The most basic belief expressed in this workshop is that if your writing is not interesting and readable nobody will read it.

A professional career in ceramics requires skill in making and firing ceramics, and in visualising new work. In addition it is essential that you are ‘out there’- that people know about your work and your practice. The most important key to this publicity is the ability to write, to be able to contribute to online media such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and discussion groups, as well as newspapers and magazines. Fully establishing your public profile also involves public speaking, at conferences and other events such as exhibition openings, and writing skills allow you to develop a talk that will present your ideas and your attitudes professionally.

Writing is important for developing your career in the arts, whether it involves writing about your work or the work of others. If you have an exhibition maybe 500 people will see it; if you write for a magazine the readership is likely to be in the tens of thousands. If you write regularly your name will become familiar and a broad audience will take an interest in you and your work.

Of course if you are wealthy you could employ a publicist – but who can? You could pay for advertising – but that is also expensive. You need to find ways to publicise your work that are practical, useful and affordable- and writing skills are an essential part of the communication necessary to achieve those goals.

Good writing is an artform that calls on technical skills as well as insight into what you see around you. Improved writing skills enhance your contribution by making what you have to say more readable, more interesting and more understandable. At the end of this workshop you will be expressing yourself more powerfully through the medium of words.

Important

Your level of development in writing can be at any stage. Beginners will be welcomed as much as more experienced writers looking at finer details for improvement. So if you are inexperienced do not let that stop you from doing this workshop– everyone started somewhere.

Requirements

You will need a computer, and need to be using email. In addition internet access and a word program are necessary. A digital camera is optional; you may wish to add some images to your written work. A printer is also optional, and can be used to keep a paper record of the workshop.All communications will be online, so you will work from home with no need to travel anywhere.

To get maximum value from the workshop, you should be able to set aside a minimum of about five hours a week. Some of this time is for your writing, some for keeping up with what others in the workshop are doing and with comments on their work. You may also spend some time reading – you cannot write well if you do not read often.

If you are interested contact Owen directly via his email: ryeowen@gmail.com

Merry Christmas and a Happy Clay New Year

2011-12-15T19:11:00.000+11:00

Preparations are underway for a family Christmas so this could be my last post until the New Year.
Best wishes to you all, may you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

This is also my post for the Mud Colony for this Thursday. See you later :^)

The Manly Narrative Knot exhibition

2011-12-14T15:18:00.005+11:00

Yesterday I travelled with friends to the other side of Sydney to the Manly Art Gallery to see the Australian Ceramics exhibitions. There are two showing, The Narrative Knot is the members show in which selected members take part every two years and the second one, PROmotion is to celebrate the 50 years the association has been publishing their magazine. Check the blog about the lead up to this one here.

It was wonderful to see at first hand the beautiful and inspiring works of clay artists such as Shannon Garson, Helen Earl, Amanda Hale and Marianne Huhn. So hard not to be able to handle them!

As part of PROmotion the gallery was displaying part of its permanent collection - love those '60s pots :^)


I've always liked these by Peter Travis which I've seen before in the permanent collection.

crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a weekday morning

traffic was much heavier on the way home! This was after the morning peak hour.

I'm also posting this as my post for the Show and Tell Saturday for Artists in Blogland

We travelled together, thanks for the ride Lisa :^), and this is what the 'Coat Hanger' looks like from the deck..

Freshly fired

2011-12-08T21:45:00.000+11:00

Here is my Thursday Mud Colony post. This is a close up of a little slipcast piece I made using a buff stoneware casting slip. I used paper resist with a red underglaze before bisque and then glazed with Shino and back into a high reduction firing. It has warped a bit but still functional. Apologies for the bad photo. It is diamond shaped and very useful for serving olives or stuffed vine leaves.

An unusual bird

2011-12-08T21:28:00.002+11:00

A little ditty goes:
An unusual bird is the Pelican
His beak holds more
Than his belly can.

Apparently the Australian Pelican is the largest of the world's 7 species. I love the way they soar the thermals way up high. It's amazing how they will turn up on our inland Salt Lakes (which are ususally dry) just after the lakes fill with flood water.

These pelicans were on a lake near where I was visiting family last weekend. It was a wet evening but they didn't seem worried by the weather.

Preparation

2011-12-01T10:26:00.000+11:00

This week I have prepared some stamps in preparation for future porcelain jewellery pieces and they may find themselves in other creations too...

this post is for the new clay community blog started by Adriana Christianson called Mud Colony which you might like to check out too. Or look for me on Facebook, Anna's Ceramics is my Page or Anna's Aussie Ceramics is the Group I edit. I hope you call on by :^)

better make some more

2011-11-28T20:45:00.001+11:00


"Down Under - The Farm I" Porcelain, prints, matt iron glaze. Fired in Reduction to 1280 deg C. I made two in this series and sent them off to some exhibitions where they both have found new homes.

Next best thing

2011-11-23T21:58:00.000+11:00

I'm not using my own 'studio' to make at the moment so the next best thing on a rainy afternoon is to get out the drawing materials.

Ages since I tried white on black. The flower I've sketched is a kangaroo paw, a native of Western Australia.

Hope these are popular

2011-11-10T14:36:00.000+11:00

I'm trying a different market place with a couple of friends on Sunday and have a few new items including these brooches:

Made from textured stoneware clay, red or green underglazes with a clear glaze over the top.

This week in the garden

2011-11-09T22:00:00.003+11:00

This week I'm taking part in a survey of wildlife in the garden by our local Council. A few days ago it was nearly all birds- mostly these whose common name is Soldier Bird as when they think their territory is threatened they will call out to each other and all fly in to see what the enemy is and try to chase it away.

Today they were a bit upset by this visitor - the Blue Tongue lizard which is a large form of skink. I don't mind these too much (not a fan of reptiles) as they eat snails and are fairly harmless.

The garden is looking good after some spring rain. These Lilly Pilly are so soft and fluffy and the bees love them. They produce a berry which can be made into jam but I like to leave them for the birds to eat.

This is a Euopean Honey Bee and we also have a small black native bee around but so tiny and quick I wasn't able to snap one.

Where are they now?

2011-11-06T14:36:00.002+11:00

I've been going through all my notes from the last 12 years of study.
(mostly part-time at night after work as a Clerical Officer and Notetaker for Students with Disability)

I've been sorting them into topics and putting aside what can be recycled.

While there I came across this flyer from about 2001 and wondered where these clay workers are now?
They had a shop front and workshop combined and even employed a thrower while they concentrated on decoration and supplying orders. I believe they were sending their work worldwide and that was with only limited web access in those days.

Found a new home

2011-11-02T13:57:00.000+11:00

Here is a photo of the piece I sent off to the Coraki Art Prize where it found a new home.

Titled "Down Under - The Farm II" it is a statement about my concern for the affect of the mining boom on our farmlands.

TAFE Muse Exhibition 2011

2011-11-01T14:47:00.000+11:00

Last night I enjoyed the opening and presentations at the Muse Gallery at Ultimo TAFE College in town. Some great work there this year. The slipcast assemblages were of particular appeal. The teacher of that class, Julie Bartholomew, really gets the ideas rolling in her students. Not only that but they learn excellent mold making skills.
My own work, which I started while attending the Master Class was on display. You can see some of the other work over at the Port Hacking Potters blog.

Slab built textured forms. Jug is in Porcelain and the box is stoneware.

Morning Walk

2011-10-30T14:50:00.000+11:00

I'm very lucky to live near some remnants of bushland which I find soothes the soul..Here are some snaps I took on a recent morning walk.....

There are many varieties of this Callistomen or Bottle Brush - it is a small tree or shrub often used for street planting and the parrots love them...

this is the Flannel Flower and as you might guess the petals feel like a flannel or very soft felt. Only comes in white.

These are Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. Quite a large bird and very clever. They will band together to lift the lid on garbage bins and then toss out the contents for the others to pick through leaving a big mess in the street. They can be taught to talk and live long lives in captivity.

In the city

2011-10-29T20:09:00.001+11:00

Today I finally got to one of Steve Harrison's exhibition openings - this current show at a different gallery to his usual one, Watters Gallery, was at the new Breathing Colours Gallery at Balmain. It is a joint show with artist (painter) Roxanne Lillis. I really like her paintings - very modern but with a lovely use of colour and texture. The concept was for Roxanne to produce paintings of Steve's bowls and then both works to be displayed together. It has worked really well.

the colour has been sapped from these bowls by my camera flash but it shows the paintings in the background

This one shows the colours of the pots better, apologies to the patrons for taking their backs

After browsing and catching up with friends my husband and I strolled down the street and found a nice coffee shop to have a coffee and cake before driving back across the city and home.

Balmain is an interesting inner city suburb with lots of old terrace houses. To get there and back we crossed the second bridge of the Sydney skyline, the Anzac Bridge. Here is a snap taken through the windscreen..

Steve Harrison links up with a painter

2011-10-21T16:10:00.003+11:00

Steve Harrison was one of my teachers at college, his latest exhibition looks interesting as he has linked up with painter, Roxanne Lillis. The show at the new Breathing Colours Gallery in Balmain, goes up on the 25th October but the official opening is Saturday afternoon, 29th October at 4pm and it continues to 5th November 2011.

Most of Steve's work comprises of bowls made from local materials which Steve finds and prepares himself so it will be interesting to see his sword like forms. I rather like the look of these paintings too.

Master class included

2011-10-16T17:56:00.001+11:00

Students who took part in the Master Class earlier this year at Gymea TAFE have been invited to be part of the end of year exhibition at The Muse Gallery, Ultimo Campus. Exhibition opens Monday 31st October 2011 and continues to 3 November 2011.
I'll have a couple of pieces to submit but it was a short course and my experimental wall pieces were not successful enough to exhibit. I also sold a piece so will have to go digging to find a good piece.
This one will go in though:

Textured Porcelain slab build jug. Fired in oxidation to 1280deg C.

Glazed

2011-10-05T20:47:00.000+11:00

Here is a glimpse at the results of my pig sculpture now it has been fired. The glaze used is called 30/30/30 and it is a Matt Cone 10 Stoneware glaze.

Wearing a mask and gloves mix 30% Whiting; 30% China Clay and 30% Potash Feldspar. The colour is the addition of 2% iron oxide.

Where it is thick it has a greenish tone when fired to 1280 degrees Celcius in a reduction firing.

We all had some fun

2011-09-13T21:12:00.002+10:00

Here is the follow up to the previous post, Ready and Waiting.
Members of the Port Hacking Potters enjoyed a little hand building at the September meeting with a little demo by yours truly to get them started. The theme was the Nativity Scene, some made Angels and some made Wise Men.

Here's one I prepared earlier as an example

working on such a small piece meant it was better to hand the examples around and just get people started. All but one had done plenty of handbuilding before and just wanted to get their hands on the clay.

the camera shy Anna (that's me)

the delightful product in all their variety

Out of town

2011-09-12T20:49:00.000+10:00


view from our room

I was out of town for a family function and enjoyed both the function and the walk along the waterfront with my husband later. Just a change of scene does wonders for the soul :^)


Looking over the bay

the cloud cleared and we had a lovely sunny afternoon.

Ready and waiting

2011-09-06T19:05:00.001+10:00

These wheel thrown bases are waiting to be transformed into Nativity figures by members or visitors at the Port Hacking Potters Group meeting tomorrow night. The things I get myself into....

Pandorea Pandorana or Wonga Wonga Vine

2011-09-05T12:51:00.000+10:00

This Native Australian creeper, known as the Wonga Wonga Vine (Botanical name is Pandorea Pandorana) only flowers once a year but it puts on a lovely show and unlike the imported Star Jasmine, it doesn't set off anyone's hayfever.

I've tried a few times to come up with a design to reflect it on my pots but just haven't been able to do it justice.

Little preview

2011-08-29T14:39:00.000+10:00

I'm working on a sculpture duo - this is a little preview before they go off to the kiln for bisque.

Ready to go

2011-08-24T20:46:00.001+10:00

I have added the findings to my pieces and now have brooches and necklaces ready for a market stall in a couple of weeks time. The 50 cent piece is just to give you an idea of their size.

Butterfly brooches

Brown bird brooches

Swinging Bird necklace - Porcelain on leather

Porcelain Bird Brooches

Porcelain Swinging Bird necklace on chain

Brown Swinging Bird necklace

Swinging Butterfly necklace

Acacia or Wattle

2011-08-15T11:23:00.002+10:00

This last month of winter is not all dark and leafless here in Sydney. The wattle trees are in full bloom and brightening up our grey cloudy skys. According to the Australian Native Plant Society we have 954 of the 1200 genus of Acacia. The next largest occurance is in Africa. The wattle is our National Floral emblem and we call it wattle rather than acacia for historical reasons. The first buildings of the English settlements were made using the very old 'wattle and daub' technique of interwoven branches coated in mud and the local acacia trees were the most useful and so the yellow flowering shrubs or small trees became known as Wattle trees. Here are a few in flower now in my area:

small wattle bush

Wattle tree buds


Wattle tree flowers

another version of wattle. I like the upright red branches.

In Situ

2011-08-14T21:03:00.001+10:00

Following on from my previous post I thought I would show you how that pit fired pot is still being used in my garden as a water feature.
The clay was a mix of a grogged stoneware clay with about 20% of terracotta clay mixed in and a coating of terra sigillata after being burnished then fired. I had put a hole in the base to take the water hose to make this simple fountain.

Sustainability for potters?

2011-08-08T21:29:00.004+10:00

One of my teachers, Steve Harrison, has an article in the latest Journal of Australian Ceramics #50/2 July 2011 (page 96) in which he reflects on ways in which sustainablity could be more broadly considered, for example, using internet technology for conferences to minimize travel and panels to discuss issues we potters/ceramic artists are likely to face in a low-carbon future.
This article was written after Steve had attended a wood firing conference in Tasmania in April and purchased carbon credits to off-set the air travel involved in travelling there from another State.
While I struggle with recycling my clay and slops, Steve and his partner, Janine, live the Good Life.
Have a look at their website (click on link below and look for the tab, Sustainability) and perhaps you will be able to pick up some suggestions to help lower your own carbon footprint.
www.hotnsticky.com.au

One of my early pots fired in a pit-firing at Steve's property at an alternative firing workshop.

Combined Exhibition at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery

2011-08-04T12:50:00.002+10:00

Teachers and students - past and present - from the Ceramics Design Studio at Gymea TAFE Campus and the Sydney College of the Arts will combine their works in a great exhibition at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery.

Opening Night will be at 6pm on Friday 19 August 2011 and continues until 9 October 2011.

Hazelhurst is a great venue and it is quite a feather in their hat to have the main gallery which is usually used for travelling exhibitions.

Check out the links for more information about the gallery and the College and University.

Jewellery

2011-07-26T14:40:00.002+10:00

Part of my last firing included these little birds and butterflies which I am making into brooches and pendants.

the white ones are porcelain - the birds at top r/h/s are buff stoneware, all fired to 1280deg C in an electric kiln.

close up.

Looking forward to Opening Night

2011-07-24T17:14:00.001+10:00

The forecast is for a fine day on Friday - I hope thats correct :^) The Teapot Show opens at 6pm and it's a very popular event. Do get over to Glebe and have a look - if not on opening night then it runs until the 28th August 2011. Click here for a sneek preview: Inner City Clayworks

Packed and ready

2011-07-19T16:13:00.000+10:00

Just packed up my teapots ready to be delivered to the Sydney Teapot Show at the Innercity Clayworkers Gallery in Glebe.

Hope they find appreciative new homes :^)

"Violettee" Close up. Wheel-thrown. High fired buff stoneware - ceramic pencil and tissue prints. 2011

"Billabong" Detail. Wheel-thrown. High fired stoneware buff clay. 2011

Win some...

2011-07-14T22:09:00.000+10:00

My last firing was somewhat disappointing as the kiln I share didn't reach temperature after sticking on an early stage of the program. After refiring in another kiln I was happy with this handbuilt lidded box. It has a white glaze inside and a copper based commercial glaze on the outside. I have used textured slabs to construct the box.

Screen Printing your Own Designs

2011-07-12T11:42:00.001+10:00

This post is for a friend who is about to buy her own Gocco machine to make her own screens.The article was published in a magazine called "Australian Pottery and Ceramics" Vol 2 No 2 pages 57 - 59 and based on work by potter, Bev Butler. As this is a published project and I am acknowledging the source I think I am complying with copyright.

this is why we are feeling cold!

2011-07-08T16:17:00.003+10:00

Nothing to do with pots but just so you know why we are feeling the cold - my son took this photo yesterday on the road between Perisher and Charlottes Pass in the NSW Snowy Mountains. The wind is blowing right up the East Coast and bringing the cold with it!

the Oversnow Bus


Snow Groomer evening out the snow so it is possible to drive the Oversnow Bus through

Such good fun :^)

2011-07-04T21:02:00.000+10:00

Fleur Schell is a ceramic artist from Western Australia. I just love her Porcelain figures especially the ones that have been used to illustrate a children's book. Her work has a fun funkiness that makes you smile whether it be her cheerful figures or snazzy pots.
Fleur is currently the organiser at SODA. A great studio setup that takes residencies.

'Heidi and the Bilbey' Porcelain, by Fleur Schell Ht56cm x w42cm

More of this or less of that

2011-07-02T18:00:00.000+10:00

This little container is having an identity crisis. :^) The high rounded lid with a full bud fits best so I think it will go with that one.
Thrown using Porcelain, with additions then bisque fired and a little iron oxide on the bud before being glaze fired to 1280 deg C in Gas Reduction. The glaze is a Pale Green Celedon which is already starting its typical crazing so I could wipe in some ink to highlight those but quite like them without the ink.

Wheel Thrown Porcelain. Pale Green Celedon Glaze. 1280 deg C Reduction firing.

Wheel Thrown Porcelain lidded container. Pale Green Celedon Glaze. High Fire in Gas Reduction.

Student exercise

2011-07-01T21:40:00.001+10:00

A recent discussion reminded me of a student exercise about packaging which I did back in TAFE College a few years ago. Could be something to revisit..... pardon the awful photos... I have learnt abit since then on taking snaps -lol.

A black cardboard box with silver ribbon.

This Sushi set has foam under a shiny black cloth liner.

Healthy work practise

2011-06-27T22:04:00.001+10:00

This Article on the Australian Ceramics website by Johanna De Maine is good and concise. Anyone who does manual work, not only with clay, would get some good tips. Follow this link to read the article yourself:
Ergonomics - in the clay studio

Image of Johanna in her studio. What a great way to decorate!

Another pig lover

2011-06-26T21:53:00.000+10:00

I came across the work of Chang Hyun Bang - he also seems to like pigs :^)
Chang Hyun Bang

French curtains

2011-06-23T14:48:00.001+10:00

I have been following Rae Dunn's blog of her adventures in France and thought I would share this snap I took last year. I could have done a whole series on the lacy net curtains there were so many lovely varieties.

Winter Winds

2011-06-23T14:44:00.001+10:00

The last few days we have been battered by very cold winds blowing up from the Southern Alps and across from the Blue Mountains which have also had some snow. Here on the coast we are relatively warm if you call a maximum of 14deg C warm and that doesn't take the wind chill factor into account.

Anyway we do get some nice colours to compensate a little.For example these two types of the bamboo family, the Black Bamboo with nice red berries and the Nandina bush with lovely red leaves that stay on the bush all year round but colour up in the cold weather.

this or that?

2011-06-20T12:17:00.002+10:00

My teapots are slowing drying and I have a few spare lids just in case.
It is interesting how a little less or a little more clay in a curve or knob changes the whole 'feel' of a piece.

Mother Nature and Clay

2011-06-17T21:23:00.000+10:00

Was it just the other day I was complaining about not being able to trim pots as they wouldn't dry because of wet weather? Well Mother Nature heard me and very helpfully sent a drying wind today - I do wish I had taken that into account and covered the handles I had firming up while I finally trimmed the lids. Fingers crossed that last handle doesn't break off during firing. I am hoping slow drying over the next day or so will save any problems. Don't you love the way clay keeps you on your toes :^)

Inspiring Maker

2011-06-12T10:55:00.003+10:00

Hella Jongerius' work has been an inspiration to me for several years so I was really pleased to see that Josie of Josie Goes to Pot also finds her work inspirational enough to post this video clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kOO0Wo_sCg&feature=player_embedded

Hella Jongerius Bowl, "Non-Temporary" Series

Staying warm

2011-06-10T18:03:00.000+10:00

My studio has sprung a leak and is too cold and damp to work in so I have taken over the kitchen table for now. It means I can also get warm water to work with as needed :^)
So no wheel work just now - this is a handbuildt box - needs very slow drying as the slabs are rather thin and the joins need the time to fuse.

A Good Cause

2011-06-09T19:57:00.000+10:00

These potters, Ian and Morag, lost their studio and home in a fire last month. Fellow potters have stepped in to help.
There will be a sale at the Canberra Potters and an online auction.
Check this link for more: http://gundaroobenefit.blogspot.com

This is their website but all their work was lost in the fire. http://www.oldsaintlukesstudio.com.au/

They had a lovely timber gallery.

A Great Gift

2011-06-03T21:36:00.000+10:00

My sons gave me an Amazon Voucher for Mothers Day and my choice arrived today. It's a great book with lots of images both of completed teapots and tips on making them. Should be a great inspiration and resource.

For my friends in the UK

2011-05-29T22:30:00.000+10:00

If you just happen to be in London between now and October 2011 do try to see this at the British Museum - a nice little Aussie promotion....

http://youtu.be/-_2g7lXYX2s

Welcome - please visit again

2011-05-28T20:03:00.001+10:00

I have noticed that visitors to my blog often come from Germany ( Willkommen) and the Netherlands (Welcom)
so I have added the translation widget though I am sure their English is better than my German or Dutch!

Taken at Coolangatta Qld during the summer

Past History

2011-05-27T20:54:00.003+10:00

This time last year my husband and I were in the UK and I had a great time at the Wedgewood Museum and Visitor's Centre.

Portraits of the Wedgewood Family

I had done a project about Wedgewood during my Diploma course and to be able to see all that history in one room was just so thrilling. I even managed to throw a little pot using Jasper ware which they then fired and mailed home for me.

It wasn't just the Jasperware but works like these that are similar to the 'Frog' service which was made for the Empress of Russia with each piece having a different image - a technical innovation of the time.

I did wonder if these bluebells growing along the driveway to the Visitors Centre were an inspiration for the well known Wedgewood Blue Jasperware :^)

Precious Little

2011-05-22T12:08:00.001+10:00

One of my teachers, Steve Harrison is having a show at the Watters Gallery in East Sydney from the 1 June to 18th June 2011.
He uses all his own locally found materials to make a special porcelain and fire in his own kiln made of his own handmade fire bricks - just amazing beautiful work. Do get there if you can:

Each small bowl is like a precious jewel.

Here is an excerpt from his catalogue:

These works that I have created for this show are very small and intimate. They are like little gems - jewels from my kiln, from my life. They are created as part of an attempt to live an honest life of commitment to art, creativity, and compassion, while being environmentally aware and caring.

My bowls are as perfect as I can make them, but they are not perfect, they are just what they are. They represent me at this time and place and in this way they are deeply flawed. They are also as perfectly beautiful as I can make them, however it is a strange beauty of imperfection, such that they have to be accepted as they are, with all their beautiful faults and flaws. So here am I and this is my work. These bowls are neither perfect nor imperfect, not beautiful or ugly, they represent neither success nor failure, they are just what they are.

Beautiful Porcelain

2011-05-20T20:45:00.000+10:00

My friend, Inga, graduated the same year as me at Gymea TAFE. Her work is outstanding. Inga is taking part in a mentor program that provides professional experience in a small gallery (The Inner City Clayworkers at Glebe) - her first show opens next week. If you or your friends are in Sydney then please call in while the show is on....

It runs from 26 May to 13 June 2011. Just click on the image to enlarge for more details or follow the link to the gallery website.

Updated

2011-05-18T20:01:00.000+10:00

I decided it was time to update the layout of this blog a little. I hope you like it.

This camellia grows in a protected courtyard which helps the flower stay pristine.

Revisited design

2011-05-12T21:17:00.000+10:00

Some years ago I designed this jug and screen printed an image of my parents when they were in their youth:

I like the shape and so recently made another smaller jug based on this design using texture and glaze on glaze technique for decoration. This now has me thinking about a shape for a teapot.....

Autumn

2011-05-06T22:09:00.001+10:00

While I live in a temperate climate it does get cold enough for the change of seasons to be noticed.
I took these in a nearby street at dusk.

Presentation

2011-04-30T22:08:00.000+10:00

I have started to put together a presentation of the potteries I visited in the UK last year - can't believe it is almost 12mths since we flew out for our 11 weeks of Ireland, UK, France and Germany. So many great memories. I hope my presentation will give others some idea of the history behind the medium that is taken for granted each day we eat off a plate, drink from a mug or cook in the oven or even those little ornaments in the glass cabinet.
I scanned this photo (taken in Stoke on Trent in 1953) which shows how many coal fired bottle kilns there used to be in use.

The one circled is the Gladstone Pottery Museum which is trying to preserve the history of the area and has 5 of the remaining 47 bottle kilns.
I had such a great day there and my husband took heaps of photos.

A little success

2011-04-18T22:31:00.001+10:00

Found out today that one of my pieces in the Friends of Hazelhurst exhibition has sold. Some is better than none!

Part of mini installation "Boudoir Nostalgia" also includes wall hanging (not shown).

Sales Event

2011-04-13T11:12:00.000+10:00

These are destined for a Sales event by the Port Hacking Potters Group I belong to. We will be selling our work in the School of Arts at Cronulla this Thursday and Friday, 14th &15th April 2011.

Teapot retrospective

2011-04-12T21:14:00.002+10:00

I am posting images of teapots I have made in the past so I can critique them before I start on my design for my entry in this year's Sydney Teapot Show at the Innercity Clayworkers Gallery in a few months time.

"Jade"

"Crouching Tiger"


"Jade 2"

Woodfired 1 & 2

Raku

Spotty

Yellow with cane handle


"Summer"

New Prototype - not quite there yet

2011-04-05T15:50:00.000+10:00

Designing a new shape can take time. I am trying to get an oval vase shape on the wheel. Getting a nice foot at the same time is rather tricky. These are still too squat so back to the wheel for me.

commercial tissue print flowers

Ceramic pencil and commercial tissue print cutouts

Own plant pot

2011-04-03T21:16:00.000+10:00

It is nice to use something that you have made yourself. I might get around to making some more plant pots one of these days. This one has a saucer that is thrown at the same time as the pot.

Decoration

2011-03-31T20:52:00.001+11:00

Today I packed a kiln of high fire (1300) oxidised ware. Won't know for a few days how that goes. These pieces are in a bisque firing that should be cool tomorrow morning to unpack...

Print Day at My Friends Place

2011-03-22T20:58:00.000+11:00

Today I met up with 4 friends at D's house and we tried out lots of different print techniques. Great fun and really useful. Thanks to all and especially D for your hospitality.

Slabs ready to go

Trying the Lithography technique

Wall paper, slip trailing and tissue prints

Prints

2011-03-21T22:12:00.000+11:00

A couple of my pottery friends are getting together tomorrow to try out some printing techniques.

We are going to try out the Lithograph technique and I hope to use these designs.

Tests, clay and glazes

2011-03-19T21:48:00.000+11:00

As anyone working in clay knows we need to test our materials whenever we use something new. I am using a new clay and 3 new commercial glazes. Recently I tested them in a small electric test kiln fired to Cone 10. Mixed results.

I expected this one to have more blue and more shine.

This copper based glaze is about what I was hoping for.

This is porcelain and not as white as I had hoped.

This one is called Hyacinth Blue. The teabag holder had some green underglaze so that is OK. The test dish looks promising.

Visit to the country - Pottery of course

2011-03-16T17:22:00.000+11:00

Today I visited the Old School Pottery at Toolijooa where Roger Graham and his wife made us welcome with tea and cake, showed around the showroom and the Roger proceeded to share all his pottery secrets. Isn't it interesting how often potters also get into the tool making side of things? Roger is a functional potter and his wife makes lovely sculptures - a great friendly team. We (some of the Port Hacking Potters Group) had a great day.

A little corner of the gallery shop.

Showing us how to make a knife from a hacksaw blade.

Good luck to the online auction for Japan

2011-03-14T21:50:00.001+11:00

American/Japanese potter, Ayumi Horie is organising an online auction to raise funds for the victims of the earthquake and resulting tidal waves in Japan. Handmade works will be photographed and put on a special ebay site. A similar auction raised a lot of money for the people of Queensland, Australia earlier this year.

Her work is fun and quite distinctive with whimsical drawings. This plate is from her website. http://www.ayumihorie.com/ I imagine there will be many other well known potters donating their works.

There is also a Facebook page being set up and Ayumi has her own Facebook page.

Japan

2011-03-13T17:49:00.000+11:00

I am feeling very sad and upset for all those people in Japan who have lost their lives, loved ones and possesions in the terrible Tsunamis.
This account from an Australian/Japanese potter really brings it home. As a parent myself I can feel the terrible fear expressed as he trys to get to his children, who thankfully are safe. http://euancraig.blogspot.com/

Accepted!

2011-03-09T13:52:00.000+11:00

I just found out that I have been accepted for a local exhibition! It is the Friends of Hazelhurst exhibition at the nearby Regional Gallery. I will be submitting work that won a prize last year as it could be work that had been previously shown.

New coat

2011-03-01T21:33:00.000+11:00

I got myself out for some much needed exercise this morning and the bush is just full of shed bark from the trees. The ground is messy and it's a bit of a bush fire hazard but the new shiny trunks are wonderful.

My pigs

2011-02-27T19:06:00.000+11:00

Pigs tend to get bad press but my Dad had a piggery of what are now classed as a rare breed, the Berkshire pig. Yes at times they were smelly (after wet weather when their yards were overdue for a clean) and yes they love to root in the dirt but they do have character! I have made a few different ones along the way:

Revisited

2011-02-27T18:52:00.000+11:00

I am looking to make some handbuilt jugs - same design as this one but smaller and with textured slabs not printed.

The glaze job on this was shocking so it has taken me a couple of years to be able to look at the design again.

Some bowls

2011-02-14T17:47:00.000+11:00

Experimenting to find a range to sell at markets:

Some with sprigs (detail) and some with slip and brush work. I'll bisque them and then see if they need any more decoration before being glazed.

Shard

2011-02-10T21:15:00.000+11:00

Little pieces of pottery can turn up in unexpected places:

this was at Cronulla Beach.

Sketch in watercolour

2011-02-04T19:53:00.000+11:00

These flowers sneak up under the big green leaves of this tropical plant which grows in our sheltered courtyard.

Just the right size

2011-01-25T10:31:00.000+11:00

I made a few of these little plates to use at home and they are just the right size for my morning toast.

It is so nice to use a hand made piece and these can safely go in the dishwasher.

Holiday sketches

2011-01-22T17:29:00.000+11:00

This year I will be using my sketch book more often.
I started with these water colour sketches while staying in Coolangatta, Qld. Fortunately we were well away from the floods.


Lovely yellow creeper is used in many gardens in the area.

From the balcony on a grey day.

Day 4 - Master class

2011-01-20T22:20:00.000+11:00

Two part throwing. Pedestal bowls and cake stand and how to throw a wobbly pot on purpose :^)

Master Class - Day 3

2011-01-19T19:10:00.000+11:00

Finishing off the pots from yesterday and adding handles

Master Class - Day Two

2011-01-18T21:36:00.000+11:00

On to Thrown and Altered forms today....

Master Class in Throwing - Day 1

2011-01-18T21:35:00.000+11:00

These are 'clay sketches' made on the first day of the Master Class with Sandy Lockwood
- a four day class being held at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery.

Studio clean up

2011-01-02T13:34:00.000+11:00

This image was taken during the cooler months but it shows the view I have from my studio. I am having a big clean up, throwing out those old tests I'll never use - putting things back where they belong and tomorrow, when it is cooler I'll wash the floor and pack my tools ready for the Master class with Sandy Lockwood in a couple of weeks time.

Happy New Year and Happy Potting in 2011

2010-12-31T18:27:00.000+11:00

Wishing you clear skys and new horizons in 2011.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-21T20:40:00.000+11:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

My prize

2010-12-15T20:50:00.001+11:00

Today I picked up my prize from Blackwattle clay.
I am really looking forward to testing their clays and casting slips - check out their website here: Blackwattle Clay

Off to the kiln

2010-12-08T12:08:00.000+11:00

Yesterday I glazed most of my Nativity figures - these little ones are in for bisque

New home for 'Indigo Babes'

2010-11-28T12:47:00.002+11:00

Thanks to my friend for having me enter these in the Hornsby Art Society show. Just had a call to say they sold!

Christmas Tree Decorations

2010-11-23T17:32:00.002+11:00

I've made these little tree decorations to sell at the Como Waterfront Night Markets on Saturday 27th November, 4pm to 8.30pm.

Looking ahead

2010-11-10T14:42:00.000+11:00

I have never made a Nativity Scene before and decided I would have a go.
The bodies are thrown on the wheel using porcelain clay and then I have 'dressed' each figure. It does take a lot of time but I am getting a bit better with each one.