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Saturday, May 29, 2010

girl


Just a little side project I've been playing with, relating back to this work.

Friday, May 28, 2010

awesome

Awesome thing number one: I'm firing my mugs today and they could potentially be very very very good. Come on, kiln gods. Awesome thing number two: my teacher's new body of work. She's done about 40 bowls so far but needs to get up to 100! This photo really doesn't do them justice but they are very, truely, awesome.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

my (happy) creative space

How to make Katy happy: give her a great kiln firing. My new-and-improved yellow pigment didn't fade too much, hurrah!
The sets aren't perfectly matched; some are a teeny bit wider, some a tiny bit higher. But if they were identical in everyway they may as well not be handmade.I mixed up a new batch of cobalt glaze too and the test piece is looooovely. The colour is so rich.

I'm celebrating with mint tea and dark tim tams. There will be another couple of hundred (!) other creative people over at Lady Kootoyoo's today.

glazed li

Our kiln firing over the weekend was very successful...
I love this bowl.  It makes me feels special :)

Jackson painted this one of mine too

Thats a mix of cobalt and iron oxide.  Nice.
Then just my little ones to test out my handmade feather brush. 

I'd like to say a 'hello' to you nice people who take the time to follow my blog; you rock. 

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

my creative space

Well actually my creative space is empty right now, as these lovelies went in the kiln yesterday for a bisque firing.  Its about 300C still, so some glazing might get done this afternoon. 
I love the colours of the feathers unfired, I wish they didn't change so much after glazing and firing.  I've tweaked them a little to improve them from last time though.  More nice creative people will be over here today. 

blue fence

A more successful result of the decal firing was this set;

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

decal fail

The first decal firing wasn't successful. 800C might be too hot for them, so I'll be trying a lower firing next week.Dull greens and faded yellows
Burn holes, probably water bubbles that I couldn't squeeze out.Oranges and reds burnt out too.Generally they were all far too pale. The tiny ones are pretty cute though.

Monday, May 17, 2010

cotton tail

The Brisbane shows were underwelming. Apart from the giant bunnies in the New Zealand exhibition at the QLD Art Gallery that is, they are pretty awesome. My teacher's show was amazing, as I expected.
I'm trying to get these plates finished before the light fades.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

my creative space

Its been a short but creative week, as today I popped into the Gold Coast Careers Convention to do a demo for the college and tomorrow we're going to Brisbane to see Michaela's new show.

More feather pots, which got finished during the demo,And some decent sized mugs, hurrah!

You can find more creative spaces over at Kootoyoo's blog :)

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

mr li

As promised, some photos from last weekend's workshop. Jackson also popped in to see us at college which was cool.
(Thats me with the plaits there)
Saturday morning, inspecting Jackson's collection of handmade brushes,He made us green tea before we started, how nice?!He separates nearly every single stand of hair (this was goat). Patience doesn't cover it!Testing its awesomeness.Sunday morning, painting more awesomeness.Jackon drew me in a bowl! I look a little angry...but I'm in a bowl!
It was the most amazing weekend, with yummy food and interesting people and awesome skills to learn. Mr Li, you rock!

Sunday, May 09, 2010

jackson li

I've had the most amazing weekend ever. EVER. The Gold Coast Potters Assoc. had the honour of hosting a workshop by the somewhat legendary potter Jackson Li. He shared some knowledge of wheel throwing, brushmaking and painting. He's amazing. I felt starstruck all weekend, he's so awesome. I didn't take photos as I was far too absorbed in what he was doing, so I shall pilfer some pictures from my teacher in a couple of days to share with you. For now I will leave you with a video of Jackson throwing with red raku clay. And kicking ass. Who can throw that clay with bare hands?! You may want to keep the sound down, the background noise is annoying!

Thursday, May 06, 2010

my (productive) creative space

I wasn't going to post for my creative space today, as I've been in a foul mood with my work for the last week. My throwing has been awful due to a bag of over firm clay (and, you know, my still-learning-hands). I cracked open a fresh bag today and can't believe how much easier life is with soft clay!I made 10 plates in about 3 hours! Hurrah!
They're even similar in size. I should really add that plates are maybe the easiest thing to make on the wheel, due to the low height. Nevertheless, I'm pleased! More nice creative types can be found at Kirsty's today!

Monday, May 03, 2010

why?

The problem with increasing production seems to be almost equally increasing mistakes. For every decent pot I make, I screw another one up. So far today I've got 5 good (ish) pots, but 5 lumps that I'll have to rewedge and recycle. Messing so many pots up annoys me and makes me want to run away from the wheel. But I need to practice to improve my skills, even if practicing means making a lot of pots that don't make the cut.
This body of work is frustrating me; I created this awesome brief for myself, yet I can't find the damn motivation to get on with it. With no solid boundaries supplied by my college teacher, I have no one poking me telling me to hurry up and make more pots. I know I want to make about 20 pieces of each form, make them look amazing, set up a stall at a local arts market and (please please please) maybe break even! I've known for an awful long time that I want to work for myself and now that I have the opportunity to get the ball rolling, my inner sloth is reigning supreme. Well maybe it isn't a sloth, more of a chicken. Cos I'm scared that I won't get better, I won't stop screwing up pots, that no one will buy my pots and that I'll have to give up and get a "real" job.
I keep asking myself WHY I want to do this. I know why, I just get distracted. I want to be a potter (or ceramicist or artist or craftsperson or whatever title I might decide on) because I love it. Simple.