August 26, 2016

  • Looking at the Unknown

    I decided to attempt an "unknown" coccolith that was grown in culture. I'm guessing it is some sort of mutation. I tried to save the photo from the internet but it has some sort of copy blocker on it. So no photo to post. My version is a little less delicate as the circles had a more ruffled appearance.

    20160821_130632

    I really liked the way this looked before the glaze firing. The glaze is Ochre Celedon with red iron oxide stain in the centers. I had hoped that the glaze would have more of a speckled look. Instead it looks like a dirty Oribe. I suppose that is partly my own fault since my clay is white stoneware with a little porcelain mixed in. This particular glaze looks best on a red clay because the natural iron in the clay give the glaze very definite spots and freckles...

    The ceramic studio sent out yet another email to let us know that not only will the studio be unavailable on Wednesdays but also on Mondays after 1:00 PM. I am getting pretty disgusted. They upped their fees, took away free studio time, reduced the available times to come to the studio, and have suspended firings until mid-September. At this rate I may have to reconsider the option to switch to the Fire Arts studio or set up a home studio. They have only 5 instructors this coming session - 3 of which are new and 3 are only doing morning classes. That leaves only 2 evening classes available.

Comments (4)

  • It's lovely, Val! How frustrating that the studio is cutting back on their open hours -- I hope it's only temporary, as the arts are such an important part of our lives!

    • The hours have been cut to accommodate the college ceramic class - even though they meet for 2 hours (2 - 4 pm) they want the studio for an hour before and after class. This year they have 2 classes so that takes 2 days away. In the past there was only 1 class and they met from 3-5 pm. Open studio was from 9 to 2:45. I'm glad they are promoting ceramics but I suppose they get more money by renting out the space to the college than by having it available to the rest of us... Not that they are reducing our fees accordingly! I'm done ranting! Have a great weekend!

  • Fascinating is this piece, though I would like it in red. :-)

    • I toyed with the idea of a red glaze but red is a tricky glaze that most often comes out an ugly brown - not at all attractive!

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