Experience Pottery ...

I began taking a pottery class back in April and I've been having fun making friends with the people in the class and also developing my artistic side. Rich, the instructor, is a cool guy who coaches as needed, but also leaves plenty of time for us to experience the variables of clay and water. When I was in high school I attended a pottery class and still have the nicest bowl I completed back then. I thought of actually getting back into pottery for years, but never quite had time or made time until April. After starting with some simple instruction on preparing the clay, I decided to become reacquainted with the wheel, making some simple bowls I liked and some bowls that not even a mother could love. We have these in various places around the house trying to put them to use.

Brown clay with Shadow Green glaze from wheel

Porcelain clay with various glazes

After spending some time on the wheel for a bit, I decided to focus on hand building to see how I could develop that. I feel that I finally have a knack for making some vases and free form bowls and I continue to develop my technique and experiment with new materials. I have to confess to taking ideas from Alicia in class and then developing, but she has assured me that it's OK to copy...

These are my first vases made by rolling out the clay and then rolling lace into it to make the pattern. I have developed my technique since these first, to seal the seam more smoothly and also imbed the lace in a new way. The new pieces still need fired, so time will determine how my new technique works.

Brown clay with white glaze that is wiped off.

 

 

 And I call these pieces my Chefooly bowls. Made by rolling out the clay and then draping and forming it upside down over a flower pot to create the shape. I was really surprised at the colors in the glaze on the green bowl. Again, it's Shadow Green and the people in class are beginning to tease me about always choosing Shadow Green to glaze.

Close up of bowl

Shadow Green bowl with marbles

I really like the shape of this blue bowl, but the glaze I'm not as happy with. It looks beautiful from across the room though on the shelf!