Author Archives: Carol McDonough

About Carol McDonough

Carol McDonough owner of CMcDonough Designs, has been making pottery, clay and glass sculptures for over 35 years.

Glass & Clay Sculpture in Starbrick’s Window

All the sculptures awaiting transport

It seemed like I had forever when I made the commitment to put a display of my new glass work in the window of Starbrick Gallery. I kept making more thinking I’d never fill up that huge space, but as I grew the collection of silica based life forms the window space miraculously got smaller and it all came to a very nice intersection if I do say so myself.

I’ve never mounted a show before so I was pretty wigged out for a few weeks in advance, Jay got a lot of work done in his shop. I knew it would take a few trips to transport the sculptures because they are not packing friendly so I started on a Wednesday morning. Naturally, when I arrived the old window display was still in place. It didn’t take me to long to empty it out as the coffee and adrenaline were kicking in. After picking out the pedestals and wrestling them into the space I decided they needed a coat of paint. Two trips later my painting, arranging, signage and lighting were done. The work is on display!

Fish Silica Based Life Forms

Fish Silica Based Life Form

Tree Silica Based Life Forms

Fish Silica Based Life Forms

Flower & Tree Silica Based Life Forms

The show was supposed to be up for a month but the Starbrick Gallery needs two weeks to paint the rest of their pedestals and place tea cups upon them.

I will find another venue and post an update. I am also posting all the pieces in the store one at a time. Free delivery in a 100 mi radius of Rutland, OH. If you are farther afield we can negotiate.

Where to find my work

My pottery and photo note cards are currently sold in 3 shops and 2 online shops. If you see something online and want to know what other colors or sizes are available contact me.

The three physical shops are as follows

The Dairy Barn; 8000 Dairy Lane; Athens, OH 45701 website<The Dairy Barn Arts Center>

Hyacinth Bean Florist; 540 W Union St; Athens, OH 45701 website<Athens Florist | Athens OH Flower Shop | HYACINTH BEAN FLORIST>

Nelsonville Emporium; 31 Public Square; Nelsonville, OH 45764 website<Nelsonville Pottery & Arts>

My two online shops are through this website and on etsy at < Hand made clay for home & garden. Photos/note by CMcDonoughDesigns>

and of course you can always take a ride in the country and visit the studio where you will get the best price, a beverage, lots of stories and more!

I also enter juried art shows and currently two of my slumped glass pieces are on display in Athens, WV as part of the Athens Voices traveling exhibit. Photos below.

In the Eye of the Storm

Silica Based Life Form
Flower

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!!!

Xena as a Black Eyed Susan

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

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

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

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”

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
Fish

New Raku work

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

Raku fired vase B&W

Raku fired vase

Round Raku bowl

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.

Raku Firing Demonstration

looking into a hot Raku Kiln

My first blog entry, ever. No pressure, what should I cover first.

How about Raku pottery and my Demo firing at the July Final Friday in Nelsonville Ohio. If you were there thanks for checking out my web site and I hope you won the raffle!!! I’m writing this the day before as I fire some of the pieces I made, today. There won’t be time Friday evening to do all the pots I made from the 50 lb box of Raku clay that I got from the Nelsonville Emporium last month. So far I have only broken one piece probably because it was too tall for the smoking chamber and I hit it with the lid when it was molten hot and in a fragile state. Well time has flown, the Raku firing was a great success! The weather was perfect, I had a great spot right next to the fountain. I didn’t blow up any pots and people were properly amazed to see a glowing orange pot being lifted out of the kiln & placed in sawdust where flames ensued. The Raku Raffle was won by Mike. He chose a blank pot, applied glaze by dipping into a 5 gallon bucket then shaking off the excess. He also loaded the pot into the kiln, then lifted out the hot pot and placed it in the smoke chamber. The results were fabulous with beautiful lustre colors.

Raku Kiln set up by the fountain

pulling out a red hot piece of pottery

washing off the ashes

things get really dramatic when the sun goes down

Here are some of the ware that was fired that evening.

C McDonough Designs

Throwin' clay and bailin' the hay!