The Show 2013

It has finally arrived... the big day I wait for all year.  It's the one and only big art show I participate in.  It's not because I wouldn't want to be in more.... I just don't have the inventory to be in more.  Since I do work, and this really only a hobby for me, I find being in one show is enough for me to produce sales, and to show case my work.  Would I like to be in more... of course!  But realistically, it would turn something I really enjoy and look forward to, into something stressful.  I really don't want to be doing that.  This is something I see myself doing for a very long time... I hope!  

Here are some photos of my work on display at the show.  This ladder shelf is something my Dad, thanks Dad! whipped up for me, since I was finding just setting up on tables was getting to be a little boring.  Found the pattern online and he managed to make it in two days.  Only thing wrong, is that I need to find a way to secure the boards down that is easy for removal.  Right now, any thing too heavy placed near the edge... well, lets say... teeter totter comes to mind.  

Here are a few more pictures of my tables. 

Overall the show was a big success! Although the sales were great, I find the feedback from visitors much more rewarding. It's their first reaction and the first words they say when they see my work... that's makes me want to create more. This is what I wait for all year, that feeling of accomplishment... knowing that what I've created was worth all the time and effort. Looking forward to getting my fingers back in the mud!!!  

Two Kiln Openings!

Only a short time away for my big art show, www.sylvancircle.ca which is coming up very quickly! I have two kiln openings to share, both of which I was very happy with. I do have some nice suprises. I was testing out some new clay, it's a buff clay. It was a little wierd since I've been using a smooth white for so long. Needless to say, I will definitely be getting more of it! I love the results of the buff clay, with Mayco's wash on the outside, and Mayco's Black Walnut on the inside. I couldn't be happier. I love the look, and have had great feedback on it. Here's a pic:

I also used Mayco's washes on the outside of this vase, with the Black Walnut on the inside, however this is on smooth white clay.

 Here are a few more pieces that I'd like to share. One is a completed pitcher that I had posted a while back when I was making it. Couldn't decide on how to glaze it, so it sat around for quite a while. Any questions on the glazes, I don't mind sharing. I have more pics of my pottery on my flickr page, http://www.flickr.com/photos/chinzy/
My next post, I will give a little tour of my display at the art show. Until then... happy potting! :)

Pendants to Necklaces to Chimes...

So as my summer life comes close to an end. I'd like to share some things I enjoy doing while out at the cottage on those not so nice days. The pictures are of the necklaces I make with the pendants and beads I have made. They are quite popular, even though I don't advertise them, it's more through word of mouth. I did have a few for sale during the art sale last fall on the local Sylvan Circle Tour.  I was quite surprised to have sold pretty much all of them. So, I continue to make them, as it is something to keep my hands busy, while at the same time using my creative juices... which don't like resting! I've included some pictures of my finished work. I like sticking with leather cords, and either copper or stainless steel wire.  Some of the beads are wooden or glass, I try to keep all the materials as natural as possible.

Something else I enjoy making are windchimes.  Yes, it never ends. 

Here is a picture of one that is completed, and I will hopefully sell at the art show. I collect driftwood off the shores of Lake Superior. Drill three evenly spaced holes along the top, and use copper wire to hold everything together. I have maple leaf cookie cutters of various sizes, which are used to make the chimes. They do make a pretty nice sound. So, I now need to get back to getting ready for my big show... will be posting my kiln openings very shortly.... Have some new pieces to share.... Christmas was early! :)

Art Gallery

I am very pleased to say that a few pieces of my work were successfully chosen to be on display at our local Art Gallery.  The last time I had art work (paintings) displayed there I was in high school.  I was pretty excited then, but I think I'm even more excited now!  I was also surprised to see that I am the only artist who works with clay within the exhibition. Being fairly new to the world of clay, this is definitely smething I'm proud of. This will be great exposure in my community, as well as tourists during the busy summer season. One of the requirements for the exhibition, was that the work represented or was inspired by Northern Ontario's natural beauty.     

Here is a link to their website with a short video of the art display.
http://www.artgalleryofalgoma.com/in-the-lobby.html 

These are the two pieces currently on display.

Trying something new...

I've read about it and I have seen a video showing this great new product from Mayco... Designer Liner! So I gave it a try... And Voila! 

I honestly didn't think the liner was going to show through my glazes.   I drew the flower with a pencil, then went over it with the liner. (Didn't go to crazy with the drawing as you can see, since I wasn't too sure!)  Also want to mention that it does take practice drawing with the liner. Then I painted the glazes in and black washed the corners that had texture.  Waited for everything to dry and applied clear glaze over the unglazed  areas.  I was definitely pleasantly surprised because this is what it looked like before....

Something fun to do...might start using my drawing skills a little more in the future!   Although...it will be awhile, since the summers are spent here a little more often !  :)

Praying to the kiln gods....

...did work!  We all know that feeling... The anticipation... That first glimps into the kiln! That sigh when everything is out, and there are no disasters on your kiln shelf.. and you have that big smile like you've won a prize! (People think you've lost your mind!)   Here's why I'm smiling today! :)

 

                                                                                                          

Now for some experiments with Mayco washes.... I will first discuss the wall tile. Variation between the glaze over the iron washed sections and the unwashed sections aren't quite as defined as I anticipated. I do know that the glazes I chose to use made that difference. I used Cinnabar and Pam's Blue.   I was trying to get the appearance of a sunset,  something I get to see quite frequently over Lake Superior at our summer cottage.  Transparent glaze would have done this piece more justice. I'm still pleased with it, and it is something I would do again, using different glazes. Here is a closeup of the completed tile...

 

 

Now I did try Manganese Wash as well.  Here are two pendants... the large one I applied the wash while it was greenware, then went over it with a clear after the bisque.   On the smaller one I applied the wash and the clear after bisque.  It looks like it doesn't really make a difference.  Your only advantage to applying at greenware would be not smudging the wash if you were brushing glaze over top.  I used burlap to make the impression on the large piece, and I used a self-made stamp to make the tree.  Next time I will try to not wash off as much as well. I appologize, for my pic.. it's a little blurry.

Now this was my wonderful surprise on the bottom shelf.  The piece had iron red under gun metal green along the top below the stamped pattern and the swirl, then creme only along the top below the stamped pattern on top of the gun metal green and iron red.  Very pleased!!! :). ...now back to glazing, I have another load to do! 

Trying out Mayco washes...

I really like the idea of using these washes for different things, ie. under/over other glazes, staining, etc.  so I really wanted to give them a try.  I loved the look of the artist (can't remember her name) who does Sgraffito with slips for wall art.  They are absolutely stunning.  So I thought why not try this with Mayco's Iron Wash.   Good way of experimenting.  Not sure what will happen, may be good, may be not so good.  Hard to say.   So here are a couple of shots when it was leather hard.

Here is a pic of it after the bisque firing. (Not that anyone else would know, but it's upside down!) 

As you can see from the next pics, I have some glazing to do! Then I will be firing up that kiln again. So I'll be updating the results of this experiment as well as a few other tests with washes soon!