KG Creativity: December 2012

FIRST: Sorry for the delay in posting-I had some technical difficulties with the website and internet. I am happy to say that all seems to be back in cooperating order J

I am super excited to report that pieces 2 and 3 (a.k.a., Testicular & Gynecological) have survived, beautifully, through their first fire! Now, all that remains for pieces 1 through 3 is some minor bisque-fixing, glazing and final firing. The final firing is what I like to call the ‘glaze fire.’

Lesson* A ceramic piece typically goes through a minimum of two firings: bisque and glaze. The bisque firing is to remove any remaining moisture from the piece that is left over from the drying phase. Bisqueing also gives strength to the piece by causing chemical reactions and creating new bonds between the materials that harden the clay. Glaze firing is typically the final firing a piece will undergo. In this firing the cone (temperature at which the piece reaches to produce chemical reactions) is much higher than the initial bisque temperature. For example, I typically bisque a piece at cone 05 (1888 ° F) and I typically glaze fire at cone 6 (2232°F). During a glaze fire, the piece goes through more chemical reactions to vitrify the materials and bond the glaze to the ceramic surface. The result gives a much stronger piece that is significantly impervious to water absorption. A 0% water absorption in ceramics is desired for food safety and durability. Cone 10 is much closer to a completely vitreous piece and is achieved at 2345°F. However, I like the results of a cone 6 over a cone 10 due to more vibrant colors and less warping in the piece. End of lesson.

Onto more good news: I have gotten final approval across the board to pursue the fundraising aspect of my show! WOO HOO!! This means that not only can I make a beneficial impact on my audience, but I get to make an impact for the foundations that will be involved. By fundraising, I can, in essence, ‘pay it forward,’ like a wildfire for the affected and non-affected alike J Beneficial all around!

I will be beginning my notification campaign to the respective foundations shortly (most likely after this week’s FINALS). I will also be beginning the final 3 pieces for my show within the next week as well as the fundraising products. J

Over the break, my goals include, but are not limited to…

ü Create last 3 show pieces

ü Notification Campaign

ü Fundraising Products

ü Project firing & test firing

ü Make marketing/advertising materials

ü Continue research

ü Make informational plaques

With thanks to getting fundraising approval, improving climate control in my studio, making another large batch of my special clay body and getting the needed ingredients for my desired glazes-I look forward to a very productive semester break!! My ultimate goal is to have all pieces and products finished by Spring Break so that I am allowed some ‘final detail’ time before I setup my show. Let’s keep the fingers and toes crossed J

Please enjoy the following snapshots of this busy artist. Photos include cold and hot views through the peephole, Cone 05 temperature reading, before and after bisque shots, and clay making.

Remember, feed the fishies! :)