and it’s back to the clay again

it’s been quite hard to switch back to clay from my painting binge. in between I went to Art in Clay at Hatfield, which was good for making me think about what I want to do.

blogpotsaug_3588

so I started coiling again, perhaps a little aimlessly

blogpotsaug_3595

trying this beautiful butter pat maker for texture. it’s not really the right tool for clay but it’s a lovely thing in itself.

blogpotsaug_3600

in the end it grew a double base and I got very hands on with some wet clay

blogpotsaug_3621

from making that one I got some ideas. the weather being so hot, the clay stiffened up quickly and this piece grew rapidly

blogpotsaug_3623

I’m using white St Thomas stoneware clay, it is lovely to work with and you can get a smooth finish.

blogpotsaug_3629

but again I decided I didn’t want smooth

blogpotsaug_3630

blogpotsaug_3633

these are closed forms, so after a bit of time drying, during which it’s easier to handle them because of air pressure inside, I make a hole underneath and the extra air whooshes out

blogpotsaug_3675

this one is more problematic, because it insists on looking like first a truncated torso

blogpotsaug_3681

and then like a shape with breasts

blogpotsaug_3685

I’m trying to see it as two joined forms.

blogpotsaug_3687

now joined by the stem drawn around them.

blogpotsaug_3692

back to simpler things

blogpotsaug3698

 

One Comment

  1. I have just discovered your blog via saving an image of one of your pots on Pinterest. (I use Pinterest under the name of Clayon McClothes) I find the blog really interesting, particularly your recording of the making process,and thank you for sharing the things that go wrong as well as the things that go right! I am a ceramics maker in a small way, and look forward to following your pots and painting adventures. Many thanks!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.