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As you may have noticed, I changed my blog templat...
2007-08-14 23:46:00
As you may have noticed, I changed my blog template to one with a 3 column format. I thought I was being so smart, by leaving my old blog open in a fresh window so that I could copy all my links, widgets etc. into the new template. Needless to say, my internet connection crashed, and I've been working by memory this afternoon to restore my links. If I linked to you before and I haven't added you back in, let me know!Subscribe to Fine Art and More by CMGuajardo
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Ack!! My studio is a mess, and art career musings...
2007-08-14 15:51:00
Berkeley Breathed created Bill the Cat in the 1980's Bloomsbury Cartoon Strip It's a little difficult to be productive in the studio when I can't find anything which I attribute to the current messy state of affairs in my studio. See below: Disaster ZoneDespite cleaning before going on our camping trip in July, I've managed to whip the place into a frenzy. I must be the equivalent of a human tornado! Many things have conspired to literally trip me up ie., the up coming home tour (the studio will not be open for viewing) and the purchase of a gazillion jewelry findings. See below:A gazillion jewelry findings and beadsThese items are impeding my already cramped studio space which also doubles as storage for my family's belongings. Enough is enough already!Holy smokes, Batman, we've got more jewelry findings and beads than we know what to do with!I'm pleased to say that our contractor, Jim Wilkinson of American Home Remodeling (he needs a website!), was over last Saturday t...
More About: Musings , Career , Studio , Sings , Mess

Ack!! My studio is a mess, and art career musings...
2007-08-14 15:51:00
Berkeley Breathed created Bill the Cat in the 1980's Bloomsbury Cartoon Strip It's a little difficult to be productive in the studio when I can't find anything which I attribute to the current messy state of affairs in my studio. See below:Disaster ZoneDespite cleaning before going on our camping trip in July, I've managed to whip the place into a frenzy. I must be the equivalent of a human tornado! Many things have conspired to literally trip me up ie., the up coming home tour (the studio will not be open for viewing) and the purchase of a gazillion jewelry findings. See below:A gazillion jewelry findings and beadsThese items are impeding my already cramped studio space which also doubles as storage for my family's belongings. Enough is enough already!Holy smokes, Batman, we've got more jewelry findings and beads than we know what to do with!I'm pleased to say that our contractor, Jim Wilkinson of American Home Remodeling (he needs a website!), was over last Saturday to...
More About: Musings , Career , Studio , Sings , Mess

Mishima or the Art of Inlaid Colored Slip Decoration
2007-08-12 00:29:00
Porcelain wheel thrown weed vase with inlaid honeysuckle design - unfiredOne of the cool things with keeping a blog is that it serves as a journal for me for trying new techniques and also a way for me to share the results with whomever is interested. I have been meaning to try the technique of inlaying colored slip into a piece, otherwise known as Mishima for awhile now. I just happened to have a leather hard pot available and decided to try it out yesterday afternoon.Mishima originated in Korea during the Koryo Period (935-1392) where floral and animal motifs were incised and filled in with a contrasting colored slip on tea bowls. Contemporary ceramic artists borrow techniques from the past and make them more current - though often straying from and breaking some rules along the way. Now, isn't that fun? I certainly like breaking the rules. For example the celadons and blues that I favor are normally fired to cone 10 in reduction (gas firing), however, I use a cone 6 glaze t...
More About: Decoration , The Art , Slip

Mishima or the Art of Inlaid Colored Slip Decoration
2007-08-12 00:29:00
Porcelain wheel thrown weed vase with inlaid honeysuckle design - unfiredOne of the cool things with keeping a blog is that it serves as a journal for me for trying new techniques and also a way for me to share the results with whomever is interested. I have been meaning to try the technique of inlaying colored slip into a piece, otherwise known as Mishima for awhile now. I just happened to have a leather hard pot available and decided to try it out yesterday afternoon.Mishima originated in Korea during the Koryo Period (935-1392) where floral and animal motifs were incised and filled in with a contrasting colored slip on tea bowls. Contemporary ceramic artists borrow techniques from the past and make them more current - though often straying from and breaking some rules along the way. Now, isn't that fun? I certainly like breaking the rules. For example the celadons and blues that I favor are normally fired to cone 10 in reduction (gas firing), however, I use a cone 6 glaze t...
More About: Decoration , The A , Deco , The Art , Slip

Shadow Box Update, Nichrome Wire & Joseph Cornell Exhibit
2007-08-10 16:15:00
Stoneware House (still green), 10" x 7" x .75"Side view - needs to be sanded once it's bone dryI have begun work on my shadow box for the Rainbow of Art Auction taking place in a few weeks. So, a few days ago, I crafted this clay house from rolled out slabs of stoneware clay after taking the shadow box apart and assessing measurements and the physical space that I'll have available. The shadow box I was given is 12.5" x 9.5" x 2.25". Although the interior space that I have to work with is about 12" x 9" x 1" from the backing to the glass front. With that in mind and knowing that I was going to have a dimensional ceramic piece inside, I calculated the dimensions of the house that will fit inside the shadow box - 10" x 7" x .75". Considering shrinkage during drying and firing, this should be the right size to allow a little breathing room between the ceramic piece and the glass.I've also decided to replace the black felt backing with a soft painting background. It will be fai...
More About: Joseph , Shadow , Update , Wire , Cornell

Shadow Box Update, Nichrome Wire & Joseph Cornell Exhibit
2007-08-10 16:15:00
Stoneware House (still green), 10" x 7" x .75"Side view - needs to be sanded once it's bone dryI have begun work on my shadow box for the Rainbow of Art Auction taking place in a few weeks. So, a few days ago, I crafted this clay house from rolled out slabs of stoneware clay after taking the shadow box apart and assessing measurements and the physical space that I'll have available. The shadow box I was given is 12.5" x 9.5" x 2.25". Although the interior space that I have to work with is about 12" x 9" x 1" from the backing to the glass front. With that in mind and knowing that I was going to have a dimensional ceramic piece inside, I calculated the dimensions of the house that will fit inside the shadow box - 10" x 7" x .75". Considering shrinkage during drying and firing, this should be the right size to allow a little breathing room between the ceramic piece and the glass.I've also decided to replace the black felt backing with a soft painting background. It will be fai...
More About: Joseph , Shadow , Update , Wire , Cornell

Fundraisers and FREE Art Inventory Documents for Artists
2007-08-08 20:31:00
Empty Shadow Box for Art Fundraiser for PFLAGBack in June when I had a booth at the Summer Art Market organized by the Art Student's League of Denver, a gentleman approached me about participating in an art fundraiser for PFLAG in Denver. He showed me an empty shadow box and said that I could do whatever I wanted to it if I participated in the auction...well of course, as long as I gave it back to them resembling some kind of art work that is. I sort of have a thing for empty boxes, and he just purchased some ceramic work from me, so I said, "Yes!" I'm debating whether or not to attend the event, but would really like to see the walls lined with different interpretations of the shadow box.I sort of forgot about it, until right before I went on vacation, I received a call, "When would be a good time to drop off the shadow box?" A little moment of panic set in and I said, "sooner rather than later, when is the due date?" Eegads, it's next week and I haven't started working on...
More About: Free , Artists , Inventory , Vent

Fundraisers and FREE Art Inventory Documents for Artists
2007-08-08 20:31:00
Empty Shadow Box for Art Fundraiser for PFLAGBack in June when I had a booth at the Summer Art Market organized by the Art Student's League of Denver, a gentleman approached me about participating in an art fundraiser for PFLAG in Denver. He showed me an empty shadow box and said that I could do whatever I wanted to it if I participated in the auction...well of course, as long as I gave it back to them resembling some kind of art work that is. I sort of have a thing for empty boxes, and he just purchased some ceramic work from me, so I said, "Yes!" I'm debating whether or not to attend the event, but would really like to see the walls lined with different interpretations of the shadow box.I had forgotten about it, until right before I went on vacation, when I received a phone call, "When would be a good time to drop off the shadow box?" A little moment of panic set in and I said, "sooner rather than later, when is the due date?" Eegads, it's next week and I haven't started ...
More About: Free , Artists , Inventory , Tory

Turtle Whistle Glazed & Mold Making
2007-08-06 18:12:00
Glazed Turtle Whistle in Chinese Blue GreenBefore leaving for our camping trip, my daughter's and my clay whistle survived the kiln firing. It whistles even better now that it's been glazed. This project showed me how far the reach of the internet is after a gentleman from Thailand emailed me wondering how he and his son could make a whistle of their own. He relayed that his son was autistic and loved using clay to make animals and such. I think they were going to try to make a dinosaur whistle. I asked him to email a photograph of their finished piece so that I can share their masterpiece on my blog. Cross section of bisqued bowlIn another fortunate turn of events, I snapped this bowl in half while dipping the bisqued piece in glaze. There's a delicate balance between holding the piece to be glazed firmly with the dipping tongs, yet not with such an iron grip that damage is done to the bisque ware. Being the amazon that I am, I used my brute strength to break this bowl. ...
More About: Makin , Mold

Turtle Whistle Glazed & Mold Making
2007-08-06 18:12:00
Glazed Turtle Whistle in Chinese Blue GreenBefore leaving for our camping trip, my daughter's and my clay whistle survived the kiln firing. It whistles even better now that it's been glazed. This project showed me how far the reach of the internet is after a gentleman from Thailand emailed me wondering how he and his son could make a whistle of their own. He relayed that his son was autistic and loved using clay to make animals and such. I think they were going to try to make a dinosaur whistle. I asked him to email a photograph of their finished piece so that I can share their masterpiece on my blog. Cross section of bisqued bowlIn another fortunate turn of events, I snapped this bowl in half while dipping the bisqued piece in glaze. There's a delicate balance between holding the piece to be glazed firmly with the dipping tongs, yet not with such an iron grip that damage is done to the bisque ware. Being the amazon that I am, I used my brute strength to break this bowl. ...
More About: Maki , Makin , Mold

F.E.A.R.
2007-08-03 06:14:00
F is for Feral. E is for Effervescent. A is for Anger. R is for Survivability. He's quite an amicable and sophisticated fellow, don't you think?My effigy doll bits and pieces survived the kiln firing back in July and this afternoon, I decided to craft a body for him. Why is my doll a he you ask? I dunno, it just seemed right to me at the time. Maybe a yang to my yin or something...Anyway, my journey began with no pattern, simply a head, feet, and hands. As he began to appear, I just knew this fellow, otherwise conceived as fear, was very suave and needed a smoking jacket and cravat. It couldn't be otherwise. Needless to say, F.E.A.R. is often colorful and very in your face - in other words, hard to ignore...Once finished, he needed a name. I couldn't voice my inner most concerns without calling him by his birth name! Garth? No. Goth? No. Ogre? No, too ominous... "Harry", I suggested to my daugher, alluding to her otherwise favorite make believe character,? NO! "H...

F.E.A.R.
2007-08-03 06:14:00
F is for Feral. E is for Effervescent. A is for Anger. R is for Survivability. He's quite an amicable and sophisticated fellow, don't you think?My effigy doll bits and pieces survived the kiln firing back in July and this afternoon, I decided to craft a body for him. Why is my doll a he you ask? I dunno, it just seemed right to me at the time. Maybe a yang to my yin or something...Anyway, my journey began with no pattern, simply a head, feet, and hands. As he began to appear, I just knew this fellow, otherwise conceived as fear, was very suave and needed a smoking jacket and cravat. It couldn't be otherwise. Needless to say, F.E.A.R. is often colorful and very in your face - in other words, hard to ignore...Once finished, he needed a name. I couldn't voice my inner most concerns without calling him by his birth name! Garth? No. Goth? No. Ogre? No, too ominous... "Harry", I suggested to my daugher, alluding to her otherwise favorite make believe character,? NO! "H...

Now you didn't think I could go to the Black Hills and not share photos of
2007-07-31 16:43:00
l-r Washingon, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and LincolnMt. Rushmore is one of those American icons that everyone knows what it looks like before actually visiting in person, sort of like the Statue of Liberty or Disneyland. We made this pilgrimage for my daughter, but also because my husband and I think it's one of those places you have to see in your lifetime as an American. I had low expectations, and I'm glad I did otherwise I would have been sorely disappointed in the tourist trappings around this institution. That and we got yelled at by some crazy old man for pausing long enough to allow some folks to take photographs of the monument before blocking their view with our car going through a narrow tunnel.I wanted to yell out of the car, "Hey, we're on vacation and trying to have fun here, dammit!", but refrained. Though his outburst did put a damper on the energy building towards the climax that would be a full frontal view of Mt. Rushmore memorial. But, in the end, I had to ...
More About: Photos , Black , Share , Hills , Lack

Now you didn't think I could go to the Black Hills and not share photos of
2007-07-31 16:43:00
l-r Washingon, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and LincolnMt. Rushmore is one of those American icons that everyone knows what it looks like before actually visiting in person, sort of like the Statue of Liberty or Disneyland. We made this pilgrimage for my daughter, but also because my husband and I think it's one of those places you have to see in your lifetime as an American. I had low expectations, and I'm glad I did otherwise I would have been sorely disappointed in the tourist trappings around this institution. That and we got yelled at by some crazy old man for pausing long enough to allow some folks to take photographs of the monument before blocking their view with our car going through a narrow tunnel.I wanted to yell out of the car, "Hey, we're on vacation and trying to have fun here, dammit!", but refrained. Though his outburst did put a damper on the energy building towards the climax that would be a full frontal view of Mt. Rushmore memorial. But, in the end, I had to ...
More About: Photos , Black , Share , Hills , Lack

Extremes in Temperature and Encounters with Wild Life
2007-07-29 18:01:00
Yep, this reads 112° F in the Badlands, SD! Of course, we managed to time our vacation during South Dakota's heat wave where it was close to 100 in the Black Hills where we did camp.WTF - Rattlesnakes??? Needless to say, between the heat and the rattlesnake warnings, we decided not to camp at the Badlands! Could you blame us?Here I am in Badlands National Park - I can't believe I'm not melting - though it was way too hot for our dog to walk around. We're baaaaaaackk! Whew, we just got back yesterday from our whirlwind camping trip through South Dakota, Wyoming and Northern Colorado. Our experience was one of highs and lows and in the end it was all good. We experienced extremes in temperature, moods and encounters with wild life!In South Dakota, it was HOT as hell, but well worth the trip. We ended up setting up camp the first night at Wind Cave National Park where we were but a handful of human souls. As city slickers, we were in awe of the wild life walking through our...
More About: Life , Temperature , Wild , Ratu , Encounter

Extremes in Temperature and Encounters with Wild Life
2007-07-29 18:01:00
Yep, this reads 112° F in the Badlands, SD! Of course, we managed to time our vacation during South Dakota's heat wave where it was close to 100 in the Black Hills where we did camp.WTF - Rattlesnakes??? Needless to say, between the heat and the rattlesnake warnings, we decided not to camp at the Badlands! Could you blame us?Here I am in Badlands National Park - I can't believe I'm not melting - though it was way too hot for our dog to walk around. We're baaaaaaackk! Whew, we just got back yesterday from our whirlwind camping trip through South Dakota, Wyoming and Northern Colorado. Our experience was one of highs and lows and in the end it was all good. We experienced extremes in temperature, moods and encounters with wild life!In South Dakota, it was HOT as hell, but well worth the trip. We ended up setting up camp the first night at Wind Cave National Park where we were but a handful of human souls. As city slickers, we were in awe of the wild life walking through ou...
More About: Life , Temperature , Wild , Encounter , Trem

I'll Be Back... on July 29th!
2007-07-22 02:07:00
Set of Three Ceramic House Wall TilesI'm leaving home tomorrow for a much needed vacation, though not on a jet plane. In the next week, we will attempt to visit Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, Devil's Tower and Yellowstone National Park. Our mode of transportation: automobile. Our accomodations: tent. I will most likely need a vacation from my vacation when we return after sleeping on the ground with naught but a measly little therma-rest between my body and the ground. You're right, I need to get in the proper mind-set.I was talking with my father in law today on the telephony and he asked "What is in the Badlands?" I replied "the largest fossil beds in the world", but I wonder why 'bad' is in the title of the place. I really have no idea what to expect.In preparation for visiting Devil's Tower, we watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind the other night just for fun. I seriously doubt we'll make it to Yellowstone, but my husband thinks it's a good idea.Vacation M...
More About: Back , July

I'll Be Back... on July 29th!
2007-07-22 02:07:00
Set of Three Ceramic House Wall TilesI'm leaving home tomorrow for a much needed vacation, though not on a jet plane. In the next week, we will attempt to visit Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, Devil's Tower and Yellowstone National Park. Our mode of transportation: automobile. Our accomodations: tent. I will most likely need a vacation from my vacation when we return after sleeping on the ground with naught but a measly little therma-rest between my body and the ground. You're right, I need to get in the proper mind-set.I was talking with my father in law today on the telephony and he asked "What is in the Badlands?" I replied "the largest fossil beds in the world", but I wonder why 'bad' is in the title of the place. I really have no idea what to expect.In preparation for visiting Devil's Tower, we watched Close Encounters of the Third Kind the other night just for fun. I seriously doubt we'll make it to Yellowstone, but my husband thinks it's a good idea.Vacation M...
More About: Back , July

Props to my Best Friend!
2007-07-20 16:37:00
My friend Nikki (2nd from the left) is the executrix and mastermind behind Wild on the Inside, Faux Fur Fashions for Burning Man and BeyondA couple of days ago, I wrote about starting a revolution - not the bloody type, mind you, but one about bringing artistic and social change. Well, let me tell you, my girlfriend Nikki is doing it right now! I'm so proud of her and frankly am just a little more than awestruck. I've written about her before, but just in case you've forgotten, I'll mention our history again. I met her in Boston when we were both flight attendants for United Airlines. After our intial introduction and a rocky start, I won her over. Over time, we decided we really liked working together and began bidding the same routes. For about 2 years until 9/11, we worked together and would sit on the back jump seat bitching about our jobs and dreaming about what we would do if we ever quit.After 9/11, I took a leave of absence and finished my degree in art, Nikki con...
More About: Life , Friend , Prop

Props to my Best Friend!
2007-07-20 16:37:00
My friend Nikki (2nd from the left) is the executrix and mastermind behind Wild on the Inside, Faux Fur Fashions for Burning Man and BeyondA couple of days ago, I wrote about starting a revolution - not the bloody type, mind you, but one about bringing artistic and social change. Well, let me tell you, my girlfriend Nikki is doing it right now! I'm so proud of her and frankly am just a little more than awestruck. I've written about her before, but just in case you've forgotten, I'll mention our history again. I met her in Boston when we were both flight attendants for United Airlines. After our intial introduction and a rocky start, I won her over. Over time, we decided we really liked working together and began bidding the same routes. For about 2 years until 9/11, we worked together and would sit on the back jump seat bitching about our jobs and dreaming about what we would do if we ever quit.After 9/11, I took a leave of absence and finished my degree in art, Nikki con...
More About: Friend , Prop

Found Clay Prints and Revolutions...
2007-07-18 15:45:00
Cone 6 stoneware clay slab imprinted with a leafCone 6 stoneware clay slab imprinted with plant lifeI am happy to say that I have a glaze fire in progress as I write this post which includes my effigy doll! I'll have to see if I can whip out a body for him in the next couple of days so that I can post the results before leaving on our Griswold family vacation. Meanwhile, I found these 2 clay "prints" above the other day while doing a little studio clean up. These are the simplest of clay prints one can probably make. Simply take a leaf, flower or other item and impress the whole thing into the clay. For these, I added black underglaze and wiped it away which highlights the impression.I remember making these when I was in school a few years ago for a clay book that I was working on, but never finished. Both sides are printed and it was to become an accordian book bound by wire. The only problem now, is that I can't find the other "pages" so I've decided to glaze only 1 side...
More About: Clay , Prints

Found Clay Prints and Revolutions...
2007-07-18 15:45:00
Cone 6 stoneware clay slab imprinted with a leafCone 6 stoneware clay slab imprinted with plant lifeI am happy to say that I have a glaze fire in progress as I write this post which includes my effigy doll! I'll have to see if I can whip out a body for him in the next couple of days so that I can post the results before leaving on our Griswold family vacation. Meanwhile, I found these 2 clay "prints" above the other day while doing a little studio clean up. These are the simplest of clay prints one can probably make. Simply take a leaf, flower or other item and impress the whole thing into the clay. For these, I added black underglaze and wiped it away which highlights the impression.I remember making these when I was in school a few years ago for a clay book that I was working on, but never finished. Both sides are printed and it was to become an accordian book bound by wire. The only problem now, is that I can't find the other "pages" so I've decided to glaze only 1 side...
More About: Clay , Prints

Clay Whistle & Lazy Summer Days
2007-07-15 17:46:00
Porcelain Turtle Whistle - it actually works!The whistle has 2 holes - excuse the non-technical language here - the part you blow into and a beveled one just inside the inner wall of the body and directly in line with the mouth pieceIt's the lazy days of summer and right about now, I'm hearing a lot of "Mom, I'm booorrredddd!" What to do? My clay production has slowed down considerably, perhaps due to the heat - though I feel perfectly acclimated now. I only notice it's hot outside when I happen to pop into an air conditioned store where it's icy cold. Or maybe production has slowed down because I'm trying to come up with activities to keep my 9 year old from spending too much time in front of the computer screen and TV.We've been trying to go on a lot of field trips including the Titanic exhibit at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature - which was fascinating. We're going to follow that exhibition up with a trip to the "unsinkable" Molly Brown House right here in Den...
More About: Summer , Days , Clay , Lazy

Clay Whistle & Lazy Summer Days
2007-07-15 17:46:00
Porcelain Turtle Whistle - it actually works!The whistle has 2 holes - excuse the non-technical language here - the part you blow into and a beveled one just inside the inner wall of the body and directly in line with the mouth pieceIt's the lazy days of summer and right about now, I'm hearing a lot of "Mom, I'm booorrredddd!" What to do? My clay production has slowed down considerably, perhaps due to the heat - though I feel perfectly acclimated now. I only notice it's hot outside when I happen to pop into an air conditioned store where it's icy cold. Or maybe production has slowed down because I'm trying to come up with activities to keep my 9 year old from spending too much time in front of the computer screen and TV.We've been trying to go on a lot of field trips including the Titanic exhibit at the Denver Museum of Science and Nature - which was fascinating. We're going to follow that exhibition up with a trip to the "unsinkable" Molly Brown House right here in Den...
More About: Summer , Days , Clay , Lazy

Colored Porcelain & Honeysuckle Vase Update
2007-07-13 17:05:00
Freeformed colored porcelain pendants - unfiredAfter bisque firing, the pendants look a little dullAfter adding a clear glaze and firing to cone 6, the color is intensified - available in my Etsy ShopAfter starting up my own studio last spring, I've been doing a lot of experimenting with different techniques to find my own voice, if you will. It seems like there's just no end to the techniques and processes in the ceramic arts. I have really been enjoying image transfer on clay and just ordered 100 sheets of traditional decal paper from Ceramic Supply, so expect a lot of this to crop up in my work in the future.Meanwhile, I have been meaning to play around with some Millefiori/Murrini techniques using colored clay. Some of the artists who inspired me are Jane Peiser, Vince Pitelka and Chris Campbell among others who all use the medium quite differently. I am truly inspired by Jane Peiser, who according to her website is 73 years old (though the website is older - she talks abo...
More About: Update , Suckle

Lazertran Image Transfer on Glazed Ceramic Ware
2007-07-11 16:45:00
Finished test pieces using Lazer tran inkjet waterslide decal paperYesterday, I was playing around with some Lazertran paper that I purchased at my local art supply store and I'm quite pleased with the results. I first saw some finished projects in Paul Wandless' book Image Tran sfer on Clay a few weeks ago and decided to give it a go. Lazertran can, however, be used on any number of surfaces besides clay - check out the Lazertran Gallery for specific examples. Pretty exciting!Using Paul's book and the instructions on the Lazertran package, I achieved great results: To keep it simple, I used clip art to start along, with some glazed ceramic canvases that I had already prepared. This is a cold surface technique, meaning that the decal is not fired onto the finished piece. But, since these are meant for the wall and are functional - that is just fine.After cutting out the images, I soaked the decals in water until they began to slide off the backing papersWhile the decals were ...
More About: Ware

Happy Birthday Mom!
2007-07-11 16:39:00
Today's my mom's birthday, but I won't tell you which one it is. Just suffice it to say that it's a milestone! I'm sorry I can't be there to help you celebrate, but I'm with you in spirit.I love you and wish you many more years of health and happiness!XOSubscribe to Fine Art and More by CMGuajardo
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Glaze Tests, Lino-Cut Update and EZ Screen Print
2007-07-09 17:24:00
Cone 6 glaze test before firing - looks nothing like the fired colorCone 6 glaze tests after glaze firing to 2230° FWorking at the ceramic studio at the Art Student's League of Denver allowed me extensive use of their bucket and commercial glazes which was fabulous. I had a great deal of options available to me. Now that I am going to be working from my home studio, I am faced with the daunting task of making my own glazes or purchasing commercial glazes. Stocking and furnishing my studio has proved to be expensive and I have a wish list a mile long. I knew it would be like this in the beginning so I make do where I can. I have the basics and it's amazing how many common every day things can substitute for the "real" equipment.For example, I'd like a slab roller but a good one cost $1,000+. So, I use a humble rolling pin, 2 wooden slats as guides to get an even thickness and regular old canvas. It works but not with the same ease as a slab roller. One of my first tasks is...
More About: Screen , Print , Update , Tests , Cree

Doll update & adding keywords to your links and images to boost the findabi
2007-07-07 20:21:00
I finally finished sanding my porcelain greenware the other dayAs usual, there's a few casualtiesI have finished the hands and feet- but just have a photo of the feetFirst things first - I managed to get 3 days in the studio this past week, despite the holiday - what a relief! I've been working on David's order and then finishing up some of my work that has been sitting in my studio. I bisque fired most of what you see in the top photo, and will hopefully have a larger bisque fire early this next week. Greenware is fragile and I'm reminded of this when work breaks because I manhandle and sand a little too vigorously. For safety sake, I sand outside and collect the clay dust to dispose of later - usually in my clay reclaiming bin.I've been watching a lot of movies in the past few weeks including Ratatouille, Connie and Carla, Tristan & Isolde and Aeon Flux which inspired the feet of my effigy doll. One of the characters in Aeon Flux had been modified to have hands for feet ...
More About: Images , Links , Keywords , Update , Boost