Monday, September 21, 2009

A blaze of glaze

Ah, my neck and back ache. I've spent the day hoping to get this same glaze effect a second time on the new stoneware clay. But I've thrown a little twist into it by introducing a new pattern, a detailed pattern that needs to be glazed differently.

There are lots of ways to apply glaze to pottery. You can dip it in a big bucket, spray it, air brush, paint it on. Recently I've been painting it on to pots (jewelry components too) because it's really the only way to get the detail right. But painting it on has been a real trial and error and royal pain in the backside development process for me. I make all my own glazes and they don't formulate naturally to the techniques I want to use. But at last I think I've found the right combination of ingredients to make most of my glazes flow like paint, sort of.
The new batik pattern I'm using is pretty detailed and requires a fair bit of attention to what I'm doing. Attention to detail is not always my strong suit. And this isn't really like painting. It's more like coaxing the glaze to go where I want it to go rather than an actual brush stroke. Oh, and I have to do it twice for each piece in each colour, so by the end of the day....well let's just say that my natural tendancy for colourful language is enhanced.


A few trays and dishes have been committed to trial by fire and I've got my fingers crossed. And there are a couple of new glazes in there. I'm having a bit of a problem thinking about the acorns in other than natural acorn colours. Really, can you envision a purple acorn?
I've got another glaze experiement going on for an 'ocean green' that has been described by others as 'putrid' brown. This of course intrigued me and away I go experimenting without even testing the original formula. My tweek may indeed be putrid as well. But I'll let you know tomorrow. I am always optimistic, ....until I open the kiln.


And I do not necessarily have fate on my side this week. Alice (miss wiggle bottom) and I collided in the studio last week and the kiln god went arse over appetite. Many pieces are there waiting to be reassembled. But for now, just his earless head is left to gaurd my work. I sure hope this isn't a bad bad omen.


14 comments:

Katie said...

I can't wait to see the results of all of your work! This is definitely a hobby/artform that I will leave to you and the others who do it so well...

Poor Kiln God! He looks like he's praying to get the rest of him back...And if Alice is like any of my critters, I am sure she got the big "uh-oh...did I do that?" look on her face after the crash...I hope he goes back together smoothly!

SummersStudio said...

Tomorrow, Katie! I'll show you all what comes out, good or bad. Alice is pretty unconcerned about most things. And this one did not get any reaction, except, oops, but do I get a treat any time soon?

Candace said...

Hi and thanks for your visit.

Listen, all these pieces shown look fantastic! Poor auld Alice, I'm sure Miss Wiggle Bottom didn't mean it, Mum!

I know what you mean about working hard on things only to have literal aches and pains and then something totally freaky happens and you actually end up losing things.

Well, just you carry on! Not a bad omen at ALL, with your talent!

Love the colours you are showing us, too. Thanks for sharing.
Take care.
Candace in Athens.

SummersStudio said...

yes, Candace, the aches and pains are just part of it! But I think I've saved enough of the kiln 'gargoyle' not to have too much bad luck. Thanks for coming by!

Unknown said...

Glad to know I'm not the only one with enhanced, colorful language after a long day. I love how your glazes are turning out...absolutely beautiful!

sharon said...

LeAnn, all your glazes look great to me....Maybe not up to your expectations, but I think you could turn water into wine in that kiln! Is that why there are collisions ?!! haha!!

Cindy said...

LeAnn...your glazes look gorgeous. I doubt there could be any bad omen coming your way...you just have a talent that no kiln ogre can touch!
Cindy
www.sweetbeadstudio.com

Leslie @ Bei Mondi said...

Wow, that glaze is beautiful. I hope it goes well for ya. I think the Kiln God will be alright. He just needs some tender loving care.

stregata said...

I have my fingers crossed on your glaze experiments. I know they look completely different before and after firing. Can't wait to see! I hope the essence of the kiln god will watch over the firing and that you can put him back together. I have grown fond of him...

Anonymous said...

can't wait to see the results!

Esther said...

what an hard job!!!! it will be gorgeous!!i like when you put picture of you working.. you have beautifuls wihte hands!!

mairedodd said...

will be very exciting to see... you put so much time and effort into your work, it makes them even more treasured!

SummersStudio said...

Kelly, my mother regrets ever letting me hang out in my father's mechanics garage as a young girl. Mechanics are much like sailors, language wise.

Cindy, I have my fingers crossed!

Leslie & Renate, I have all of the major parts saved so I think he can be reassembled. I hope so.

Thanks, MJ and Marbella!

Esther, I think the white of my hands might be glaze all over them. It's messy out there.

Silver Parrot said...

Uh oh - hope you haven't displeased the kiln god too badly. You better have a sacrifice ready to go just in case. I know - send me some free beads and I will make SURE the kiln god gets them ;-)