Monthly Archives: August 2013

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!!!

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Xena as a Black Eyed Susan

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We thought the Boston Terrier in a Tutu would be our biggest competition.

There was a puppy parade at the August Final Friday in Nelsonville and I dressed Xena up as a Black Eyed Susan.  She was very well behaved maybe because we spent about a week reviewing obedience school.  Only one little yapping dog got her attention and no doubt she would just have wanted to play but some people are suspicious of Rottweillers so Jay nipped it in the bud.

Jay and Xena

Jay and Xena

She didn’t win the costume contest that went to a beagle in a hot dog bun.

second place winner

second place winner in costume contest

 

Good fun was had by all especially doggies that got to out for a change!!!

Shoe in for biggest dog

Shoe in for biggest dog

Contenders for smallest dog; won by a tiny Chihuahua

Contenders for smallest dog; won by a tiny Chihuahua

SNEAK PEEK AT NEW WORK

slumped glass "silica -based Life Forms; Flower"

slumped glass in a clay base
“Silica Based Life Form” Flower

Here are a few pictures of my new work.  I started experimenting with slumped glass a little over a year ago.  It all came about because Meigs county OH no longer recycles glass of any kind and the powers that be will not even entertain the thought of a bottle bill.  Being an avid recycler since the early 70’s I literally could not throw out something so easily recyclable.

After viewing an online how to video I realized I could create my own clay molds to slump the glass.  I grabbed all the bisque ware I had, broke up a bunch of bottles filled my “molds” and started firing.

Naturally nothing worked out the way I planned (if that ever happens I will be pretty sure I’m dead) but the results were very interesting and spurred me on to continue the experimentation.  I quickly learned that the edges are razor sharp, invested in a variety of gloves, and carried on.  A few people have suggested that I should soften the edges but quite frankly that is my favorite part.

detail photo of sharp edges from "In the Eye of the Storm"

detail photo of sharp edges from
“In the Eye of the Storm”

Eventually I decided to mount the slumped glass in clay bases.  I use either a white stoneware or a beautiful dark red/brown clay with black specks called Nelsonville Pottery clay by Columbus Clay Co to recreate the starbrick clay used to make bricks that are still in use today in Nelsonville’s streets and sidewalks.  The work quickly took on the look of trees, flowers and fish.  I plan to exhibit my “Silica based Life Forms” in the window of Starbrick Clay Art Studio at the September Final Friday in Nelsonville on September 27.  It will remain up for a month, if you’re in the area check it out, if you’re not it’s worth the trip

 Silica Based Life Form Trees

Silica Based Life Form
Trees

 

 

Silica Based Life Form Fish

Silica Based Life Form
Fish

 

 

New Raku work

pulling a hot pot out of the kiln (1800-2000 degreesF)

pulling a hot pot out of the kiln (1800-2000 degreesF)

 

Raku fired vase B&W

Raku fired vase B&W

Raku fired vase

Raku fired vase

Round Raku bowl

Round Raku bowl

square bowl Raku fired

square bowl Raku fired

Raku pottery is all about the glaze fire and pushing the limits of the clays ability to withstand some serious heat shock.  Usually a clay body formulated to take the strain of being pulled out of the kiln while still red hot ( in the 2000 Deg F range ) is used to minimize breakage.  Large clay particles are the rule as this allows the heat and moisture an easy path in and out of the pot.

And why would anyone do this?  Because we can!  And the results of putting the piece into a smoking chamber with combustible materials-instant flames-will warm the cockles of any pyro’s heart.  Last but certainly not least are the results!  The smoke can enter the molten glaze and red hot clay body to produce beautiful black and white crackle with  flat black unglazed sections, and spectacular lustre colors.

Of course as with most things, in order to get one thing you must give up something else and in the case of Raku pottery that is sturdiness and the ability to hold water.  But who cares!  I mean look at these results.  Dried arrangements look great in Raku and because they are less prone to heat shock you can use them for smudge pots, incense burners, candles and even ash trays.

They should NEVER be used for food not even dried food but their best use is Art.