~~GLAZED~~

No doughnuts here!  Only tiles, tiles and more tiles!  I spent my week doing a glaze experiment for two different cones.  I mixed 1600 grams of a cone 10 clear glaze and another 1600 grams of a cone 6 clear glaze-which I created myself. J The experiment is to test the coloring and durability of mason stain when added to clear glazes.  The initial assignment only called for a cone 10 test but I always like to step it up a bit, so I added the cone 6 as well.  Yes, it has doubled my workload, but I believe it will be very beneficial in the end.  Mainly because I prefer to fire in cone 6 and so do other wonderful artists I know (so why keep it only in cone 10?)

The testing is comprised of 100g of dry clear glaze with a 5% (5g) of mason stain mixed in.  I am testing fifteen separate mason stains for each cone.  So, there is a total of thirty individual test tiles.  The cone 10 set will be fired in Big Eddie at a cone 10 reduction, while I will most likely be firing the cone 6 set in my home kiln in cone 6 oxidation.  I might be able to establish a cone 6 firing at school, but it doesn’t bother me to do it at home.  I will be doing a cone 6 firing at home fairly soon anyhow, so why not just add them to it? J

Doing this experiment is giving me the opportunity to practice with the mason stains a little more before I begin my endeavor of making the colored engobes.  I cannot wait to see how this experiment turns out!

Here are some photos of the experiment process so far.  I will post the fired results soon! J

Clay, Glaze and Show

So, I spent most of this week looking and sounding a little like Darth Vader.  I finally got to make my own sculptural porcelain, which I am so excited to begin making beautiful pieces out of!  Not only will I sculpt out of it but I will also check out its throwing quality J  I really do hope it is as nice, if not better, than my white stoneware.  We shall seeJ

I also spent the week prepping and helping with the first Dirt Bags show of the semester.  I will be honest, at first there were worries that we would not have anything besides a couple of pieces to put in the show due to it being so early in the semester.  Yet, I think we pulled it off!  Way to go Dirt Bags!!

To finish the week out, I have begun experimentation with mason stain application and multi-cone firing.  This is going to be a great practice step before I delve into my engobe project.  So far, I have the two different cone base dry mixes ready and have taken inventory of the fifteen lucky mason stains that will be included in the experiment.  This coming week, I will be measure mixing together and beginning application J  I really feel that they will turn out nicely!

Below are some photos for your viewing pleasure-don’t let my “Darth Vader” one scare you!  Haha!

Week after TWO :)

Whew!  Almost forgot to post a blog for this past week.  Would have been bad J 

Anyhow, this past week was quite eventful.  We have finally hit the ground running on building the new train kiln.  As you will see from the photos-it is hard work, but it will definitely be worth it! Not to mention, being able to be a part of this-I am also learning valuable knowledge that will also help me in some of my plans for my home.  Laying a good foundation is paramount in anything one does! (Thank you Steph for the photos included in this blog)

I also got more opportunity to research the necessities of my solo show for this semester.  For instance, I don’t need to make as many pieces as I first thought because it would cause too much clutter in the Spacelab.  Seeing that my show is about a form of simplicity-clutter is bad (thank you Brian!).  Even though I do not have to make as many pieces, I am not content to lessen the challenge on myself.  I am going to try to make this a show to remember (at least for me and those who will attendJ).   I have included a few more photos of a few of the pieces in progress for your viewing pleasure.

I am also excited to say that I will also be experimenting with engobes this semester!  I have discovered some older recipes and a well-equipped glaze room that will help me on this endeavor.  Not to mention, an amazingly open-minded professor that is supportive of my experimenting endeavors!

Lastly, I have begun my experimentation of working with slabs to create unique cups and other functional ware.  I have included a photo of my very first slab cup.

Until next week-“rollin, rollin, rollin keep dem slabs-a-rollin, CLAY HIGH!!”

Week TWO

And it has begun…sculpting, building, throwing, glazing and firing has now ensuedJ  Oh, how I have missed being in the studio!  I got approval to begin my endeavor of creating my first solo show this semester.  Along with my solo show, I also got approval to move forward with the train kiln project and the components that will go within.

I am quite excited with my plans for these projects!  I am planning on making some really unique slab tumblers for the train kiln (I can’t wait to see how they fire!).  Besides, wood fire throwing has been done so many times-let’s spice it up a bit J  However, I have begun throwing some on my kick wheel.  By the end of the semester, my legs should be like iron!

I have also begun the pieces for my solo show this week.  I am really looking forward to doing these pieces and hosting a show.  I just hope that my nerves can handle it!  Hey, keep it simple right?  I have included a beginning picture of one of the pieces that will be in the show.

This week alone, I have researched a new clay body recipe, a new glaze recipe and have made glaze patties and glaze tiles.  Busy, busy, busy.  I will be making the new clay body next week along with glazing those tiles and some very patient pieces.  Not to mention, I will be running the slabs for the train kiln pieces and building more pieces for my show.

Here is a few snapshots for your viewing pleasureJ (and don’t forget to feed the fishies!)

WOO HOO!!! I'M BACK!!!

It is Spring 2012, and I am so glad to be back in the ceramics studio!  After a horrible six month medical detention from the studio-I can’t tell you just how good it feels to have my hands back in clay! 

My kiln is up and running too!  As I write this blog, it is cooling from its first bisque and I can’t wait to see the results.  I had to overcome a couple of minor obstacles to get the kiln going (finding the electrical wire rated for its draw and installing a bigger breaker) but nonetheless, I am rolling now!

This week, I got to begin making tiles (cylinders) to begin our class component of experimental glaze techniques.  I am very interested to see how this experiment turns out.  I will also be making my own tiles for glaze experimentation in my home studio.  I want to do this “double-duty” because I want to see the results for cone 6 glaze techniques as well as cone 10. Also, because cone 6 will be the main cone I fire to in my home kiln.  My kiln can go to cone 10, but I am not ready to wear out the elements just yet J 

I have also begun my sketch plans for the items I will be firing in the train kiln we will be building this semester.  I am so anxious to get the experience of building a kiln under my belt!  It will be great!!  Right now, this IS definitely a once in a lifetime experience!  Really, how many times will I get the chance to say that I helped build a kiln?  Hopefully, I will get more opportunities, but to keep on the safe-side, this is the only one I know of for the nearest futureJ

I have also done some sketches for a solo show I would like to pursue for this semester.  I am quite nervous about doing my own show, but I am ready to take it on in all its glory!  I can’t wait to get feedback from my professor so I can get going on the pieces J

Below, are a few photos from this week.  Included is a photo of the first set of glaze tubes,  a visiting artist snapshot, and a couple from my first bisque firing process in my home studio.

Until next week!

It's Almost That Time...

Only two more weeks left of the semester-SWEET!!  However, I must say that though the majority of this semester was brutal-I will really miss my beloved ceramics class L  I would have liked to take the summer course Special Topics in Ceramics, but I was not aware of it until too late L  I just can’t afford $700 out of my pocket right now.  HOWEVER, I plan on visiting my fellow mudslingers during their course this summer (hopefully).

As for this week in review, it has been quiet hectic.  I have been loading/unloading kilns, bisque fixing and glazing all week.  My last green ware is becoming bisque as we speak.  I loaded my first batch of cone 6 pieces today.  I will have my last load of the semester ready to load on Monday.

I had to do some major bisque fixing on one of my combined vessels this week (pictures below). It had seven areas that had to be mended!  I will tell you what-if it doesn’t make it through the glazing and last firing process-IT WILL BE SUPER EPOXIED!!!!

I have also been doing quite a few experiments in my glazing processes.  I really do hope they turn out well!  I should be able to see the first load results on Sunday-so excited!

Until next week…”be the change you wish to see in the world”-Ghandi

 ART is the best way to change the world!!!!

Honorable Week

This week in review includes wetware cutoff, honors society induction and further home studio planning and shopping.  Busy, busy week as usual J

Let’s start with wetware cutoff.  Let me say this, I will be SO GLAD when I am able to not have to worry about wetware cutoff anymore!    As usual, wetware cutoff gets pretty hectic and usually involves many sleepless nights.  LOL.  Never mind the insanity that is accompanied with wetware cutoff, I DO really enjoy being able to focus all my time on my clay! J  However, I am sometimes led to believe that my other professors are not as happy about me focusing my attention solely to clay as I am! Ha! Tough.   In fact, I think the only thing that I do not like about wetware cutoff is feeling like I am rushing the clay and it will not turn out as awesome as it normally would.

Now, onto the honors society induction.  I was inducted into the Pinnacle Honors Society on Tuesday evening.  SWEET!  I also learned that this particular society is usually reserved for senior status students (class standing-not age!) and that only a very few “exceptional” juniors are accepted.  Umm…wow!  Now I wonder if they may have got me confused with some other crazy clay lady?!   On a side note, I am very proud to say that I was not the only “Dirtbag” in attendance-Ms. Rosie was there too!  CONGRATS, ROSIE!!!  I sure will miss her when she leaves after the semester L

Last, but not least, further planning has been accomplished on my home studio.  We should be getting the electric necessities this weekend and AWESOME BRIAN is letting me borrow some broken shelves to conduct the test fire.  I have also purchased some peephole plugs, kiln post, mason stain, epoxy and glaze chalks!  I am like a little kid in a candy store just waiting to get my studio fully underway!

Until next week, this extreme mudslinging pyromaniac is out of here!  ENJOY!!