Raku Leaf Vase and Ammonite Vase

Here are a couple of Raku fired pieces that I made recently.

I used some leaves from my garden to make the leaf design on the front. It was made by wrapping a soft slab around a cylinder, then after removing the cylinder, I pushed the top together and pushed a dowel right through to make the hole. A base was added and impressed decoration once the piece was a little firmer.

To decorate, I brushed copper carbonate onto the bisque fired surface then washed back a little so that the copper carb remained in the textured areas. The whole pot was then sprayed with a 'White Crackle' and glazed and fired to 1000deg cent in my raku kiln.

Raku Fired  'Leaf Vase' with White Crackle glaze and Copper Carb detail

Here is another piece I call the 'Ammonite Vase'...



Raku Fired 'Ammonite Vase' with White Crackle and Amethyst Glaze





















Waiting for some fine weather to fire some more pieces that I have ready....

Articles Fine Art Gallery - 32nd Anniversary Exhibition

I am very pleased to have been asked by Frances and John Vander of 'Articles Fine Arts Gallery' at Stanwell Park NSW to exhibit a series of my Raku fired pieces for their 32nd Anniversary Exhibition to be held on Saturday 3 March 2012.

I introduced myself to John at his gallery some weeks ago and explained what I do. He asked me to bring along some work to show him. Fortunately for me, he was pleased with my work and I am very proud to be apart of the show in March. Stanwell Park is only a half an hour drive from my home in Appin, so looking forward to a good business relationship with John and Frances in the future.

The series of work in the exhibition is called 'Sea Shells' and as you can tell by the name, the body of work is based on my love for nature and the sea. I love to wander along the beach and find little treasures as inspiration for my work.  The textures and colours of the rocks, sand, rockpools, seaweed and shells and I find beautiful and Raku firing my ceramics accentuates and compliments the pieces I make giving them a natural and earthy feel. 

Below are a some examples of my work that will be in the exhibition. There will be a number of well known  artists (unlike myself) featuring their work in March. If you have the opportunity, go along to see what is on offer. The program is also below for your information. There will be entertainment and refreshments. The coastal drive to Articles Gallery at Stanwell Park is very scenic and enjoyable. Don't hesitate to contact John or Frances on 02 4294 2491 for more information. Make a day of it.

'Tree of Life' Candleholder

I have not posted in a while as my husband and I have been putting alot of our spare time into building a new pottery studio in our garden. I have been doing my pottery in our garage but we desperately need our garage back for other things. I am very excited as it's nearly finished. Just have to add internal shelving and benches and a few cosmetic things to finish on the outside. Stay tuned, as I will post photos of the completed studio within the next week.

Here is a piece that I made recently. I love nature, so this is often reflected in my work. It was bisque fired then Raku fired. I used a white crackle glaze for the main glaze and a copper matt glaze was used for the leaves. For additional highlights I also used a red enamel paint for the centre of the flowers. This piece was made from a slab of clay folded around a pvc cylinder then I added additional elements from there. I enjoy making sculptural pieces but since I like to sell my work at markets, there is more demand for pieces that are also funtional. I plan to make others like this and want to experiment with making some that will hold more than two candles and that can accomodate tea light candles in some way. This piece will be for sale at next Picton Creative Traders Market on Sunday 2 October. Come along and have a look at his and other new work for sale.