04 February

Open Sesame...


WHEW! The kiln load of sgraffito fired beautifully. The underglaze colors really popped –I was happily surprised, especially with the red and yellow. Very fun and vivid. I know I shouldn’t be so doubtful, but I’m one impatient artist, especially for EVERY phase of working in clay. The hardest part is waiting for the kiln to properly cool before I pop the top. Which I did, I actually waited until my controller said it was below 150 degrees –I think that’s a waiting record for me. On several of the sgraffito trays I used highly textured borders that I may or may not have attached very well –but it turns out I did attach them well and when I slab rolled the clay, I may or may not have wedged it properly or long enough –but it turns out I did. No explosions or breakage yet… Up next is my most UNfavorite part –glazing –arrrggh. I’m using a Amaco Clear Matte ^04 which unfortunately needs to be brushed on as I don’t have enough for dipping –dipping seems like my kind of glazing!

Oh well. The goal of trying the higher fire clays and glazes will be buying bulk glaze and putting it in DIPABLE 5 gallon buckets. Keeping with the mood of patience my mantra will be; “I will apply three coats as the instructions recommend, I will apply three coats, I will apply three coats, AND LET EACH COAT DRY BEFORE THE NEXT COAT IS APPLIED O o ohhhmmm!

9 comments:

cookingwithgas said...

Don't those tiles look great!
Worth the wait and now on to the next step!
150degrres! You must have ad your hands tied behind your back.
I do love those birds....

Tracey Broome said...

These are really great!!! I love how the yellow just pops against all of the black and white, great accent! Good luck with my least favorite part of pottery (glazing)

Judy Shreve said...

Cindy - these tiles look great! Cooled to 150 degrees --that's amazing & that's patience!

ang design said...

they look brilliant!! well done on the patience levels...it's just not welding eh??????

Gary's third pottery blog said...

OMIGOSH that is most perfect!

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

these look great!

Anonymous said...

love the ravens/crows. that yellow underglaze is way bright, damn! good luck with the glazing

cindy shake said...

Thanks all- popped the top on the glaze load this morning... the pieces I used the Amaco Matte glaze on looked a bit milky :o( almost like it was underfired. This other Matte glaze I test/used on two of the pieces (can't remember the name -but will post later) looked beautiful! and I was worried about the other test glaze -I wished I'd used it on all of the peices! I'm re-firing the Amaco pieces... keep your fingers crossed!!

Christine--RHP said...

wooooo! those are looking great!!