Vases

Yes! Again I am trying to make tall vases on the wheel, it is hard, at least it is hard for me. I can do small vases, but my goal is to make something tall, with fat walls so I can carve them and thin wall so I can paint them.

I got help from my teacher Scott with this vase, and I want to do something exactly like that all by myself, perhaps I have to practice more, perhaps is time to buy a wheel and practice more at my house. I am working on that, but every time I think we can afford one something happen, roof leaks, pluming problems, car problems, there is always something, but hopefully this will be the year.

Anyways, this vase was decorated with mishima and later sprayed with spodumene and dijon glazes, cone 10. I wanted to make a clear difference in the color of the bunnies and the color of the background, but I couldn't every time I tried I couldn't totally control the spray gun. I was thinking a different spray gun, the one you can use to paint but I have been told that the consistency of glazes and the consistency of ink will not be the same even when it kind of look the same, bummer!

I was also looking the videos of a wonderful potter, his name is Charlie Tefft, and he makes the most lovely pots, he also sprayed his pots, and in his video, of course, it looks like it is not that difficult, but IT IS! I am going to keep investigating and experimenting with goof luck I will be able to find something that works for me.

Here is the vase, tell me what do you think or suggestions.

Tumblers

Like I said, I have been practicing new forms besides bowls. I was making tumblers and trying different glazes, but in the end I think I always do the same, draw something on them. Here are my two first carved tumblers. I carved them free hand when they were on leather hard, then I add some red oxide wash and cleaned them and finally I add celadon green glaze and fired cone 6.

Moraditos/ Purple

I am tying new colors for my slip decorated bowls. I am also trying new designs to perhaps doing some sets. Here are four different designs in purple.
 

 

Playing with the slip trailing tool

A month or so ago, I bought a slip trail tool at a Highwater Clays Store in St. Petersburg, FL. I have seen many really interesting designs made with that tool and though why not try it myself, since I like decorating pots and I am not afraid of complicated designs.

So yesterday and today I have been practicing with this little tool, is not so hard to manipulate once you have the slip in the right consistency, that is the hard part. Too thick and is really hard to squeeze the plastic container and to watery, and the design will run away.

I have not master it yer, but I will keep trying, possibilities seem to be endless. Here are my two attempts. Hope they will make it to the studio tomorrow.

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