February 11, 2017
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Looking at Cold Water
I waited a long time for this piece to surface. This coccolith is Poricalyptra found in the North Atlantic. The cold waters (and probably the cold weather) inspired me to try a new blue glaze. It is supposed to be a semi-matte translucent glaze. The kiln tech made a "test" batch and if people like it it will be added to the choices. I was not happy with the outcome. It didn't cover evenly and the color is, um, insipid. I had placed Super-T in the holes but it doesn't show up and doesn't give the little orb any pizzazz.
I was able to talk to the kiln tech and register my "no" vote for keeping this glaze around. I'd much rather have them bring back the Grape glaze or maybe the Chun Blue.
Comments (6)
Your work is lovely -- even the pieces you are less happy with!
I was just a little disappointed in the glaze. The piece itself is nice. It has good "hand feel" and is not too heavy for its size.
I like it. I think it looks cool, even the coloring, but then I cannot see into your head to know what you envisioned and hoped for.
The test tile made this glaze look like a satin finish - not glossy and real shiny but not completely a matte flat surface. And the test tile made it look like it would cover evenly. It should have since I dipped this one instead of trying to hand paint it. The picture in my head was a nice even color over the whole surface. Instead it is blotchy and the color is so very uneven that it appears more brown than blue.
It's pretty, even if it didn't live up to your expectations. Does anyone else in the world do what you do?
Hehe! Thanks Gracia! Yes there are others who do coccoliths - but they do them as giant sculptures 4 feet across or do them in porcelain and throw the orb on a wheel instead of hand building...