Sunday, September 23, 2012

2 bowls.





Simple white bowls.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Cobalt brushwork.






I find it a little risky adding cobalt brushwork to a bowl.
An off day with the brush can leave the previous weeks work of throwing and bisque firing wrecked*. So after a 48 hour glaze firing, opening that kiln door to see the results can be quite inspiring or a real downer.
Luckily I found this bowl greeting me when I opened the kiln this morning.

*cobalt intensifies after firing. So the results can't really be seen when raw (unfired).

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Pink everlasting.






Here comes the sun.
As the days sun strengthens, the rhodanthe chlorocephala (pink everlasting) unfurls its petals.


Rewards from scattering seeds a few months ago.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Orange glaze test.






Can I have your thoughts on this glaze.
The grey patch near the top is from a spot of ash, which I quite like.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Greenware-bowl foot.






The foot of a pot has to be the bit I struggle with.
For me, it's the bit that makes or breaks a good pot.
So I will continue to work on perfecting this part, along with the rim and the rest of the pot.
Perfection is forever just over the horizon; So the journey continues.

Monday, September 3, 2012

New test tile style.





Rough and ready, but I think it has some style.

Easy to make. I drilled into plaster with two different splayed (drill) bits. The first drill is the wide base. The the hole is continued with a thinner bit. The guide points make a coddle to catch the glaze.
Soft clay is pressed into this (first one should be thrown away as it will have plaster dust on it) and when it's leather hard it will easily fall out.

This glaze test is 100% iron bark (eucalyptus) ash from my studio fire place; fired to cone 10 in oxidation.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Flat plates.





I went the whole month of August without a single post. Have been keeping a low profile in front of the studio fireplace.
First day of Spring here, so I expect to be more active photographing and posting.
Here are the latest items out of my kiln. Flat plates, in entree, main and large platter sizes. coated with a satin gloss stark white glaze.
I think they're going to be just perfect for Summer berries and thick cream.



White satin gloss glaze recipe:

KAOLIN:20
SILICA:32
WHITING:19.6
POTASH FELDSPAR:27.4

ZIRCON:10

WATER:110ML

Summer berries and cream to finish.