Ceramics Progress - October 31, 2008

So I must admit that I am loving ceramics class.  Yesterday I was able to set this cup on the shelf for its first firing.  Once it's bisque fired I'll be able to glaze it and then it'll be "high fired" and ready for enjoyment!

I talked with our instructor for a while about glazes also.  I expressed interest in glazes that crackle or look "dry" - and she showed me some pieces she has done with some amazing glazes!  I asked if we had those glazes and she replied quite quickly - "no, but you can make them!" - I attended her lecture a few minutes later about how to make glazes... the ingredients and their toxicity, percentages not to exceed for certain elements, good and bad combinations, and a demonstration of the process.  It all appears pretty simple, really - just messy - as she put it, "like making a toxic cake"... we are ordering one element we need to make a glaze I fell in love with, and when it arrives, chances are I'll be dunking everything I can find in it!

I also continued to prep my giant head sculpture - it's in the kiln room ready to be fired as well - I had painted white then light blue and pea soup green on the clay - after it dried I scrubbed it all off (almost) -

it's a "buddah" head that somehow changed to a very calm looking Jewish guy... I have been into the whole Judiasm imagery in my artwork lately... ceramics is helping me to slow down and be patient - the process takes a while... (this giant head will probably be done in late November or December!)

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Happy Halloween everyone... stay safe and be good! :)

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