November

I have really been doing a lot of work, and a lot of new work. But you wouldn't know it from my lack of blogging.
In addition to pottery, one of my newer projects was to start an Etsy shop. You can see it here (and I hope you will):
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jeannepottery
It has been quite a learning experience as so much of it appears to be a combination of patience and networking. Both of which are rather difficult.

Here are my new style of bowls, bright colors and hand carved design.

Wild bright colors. These are some of the pottery I had on display during the months of August and September with members of the PWA at the Waiwai Canyon Winery. The title of our show was "Wine, Women and Song."

This bowl is sold. I wish I had more photos of it, but I got it out of the kiln just in time to do a very quick photo session, then pack it for the show.

They made a nice set of nesting bowls.

The glazes and carving on this remind me of a pond during winter, partially frozen over.

Rennaisance Fair is coming!

and it will be here this up-coming weekend. I have attended this fair since it's beginning year, which was (gasp) 35 years ago. I am the only artist who has had a booth there every year.



These are some of the green pots I will be glazing for the fair. I am exploring some different surface designs and trying an approach that is much more "loose". The two teapots on the upper left are great examples of the differences between a loose and a more refined teapot shapes.

These will be glazed mostly in the huckleberry glazes, but I want some in greens and others in the raw-sienna glaze I'm working with as well.

It's very exciting antcipating how they will turn out after glaze firing.

Intended for Empty Bowl Donations

This Phoenix bowl was painted with underglazes and fired to cone 6.

This paticular influence was from a Medieval Persian fabric design.

Another Bird Bowl, also Ancient Persian in design for both interior and exterior

Bird designs after high firing

These plates & bowls from the previous post were fired to cone 6. I found I liked the underglaze applications best. I still have quite a bit of experimentation to do until I am satisfied with the cone 6 faux maiolica. The application of white glaze base upon which the maiolica is painted needs improvement I think. The glaze texture was lovely, satiny-smooth, after having been fired though, there was some glaze peeling before firing.

This Pelican plate is now in the collection of Brighid, Baroness

Dragon's Laire. Given to her by an anonymous friend. I've been asked

who, but my lips are sealed.

Mistress Sine has spoken for this raven bowl. I am happy with

the glazes, but would like to fire it one more time to

smooth the texture more.

All in all, I was excited by the outcomes of this firing and plan to do more without waiting to get snowed in this time.

In My Snow Island

This pelican design was done in underglazes and will be

fired with a transparent glaze over all.

During my enforced vacation/marooned status, I did get some ceramics done. I brought some bisqueware, cone 6 maiolica base, and underglazes into the house and painted birds on the bisqueware. It was so much fun.

I've noticed Canadian Geese in the air and on the ground

even during this bad weather. They are inspiring to see.

This one is painted in the style of maiolica and will be

high fired.

The Raven is a bird I am always in awe of. Wonderful

birds and the symbol of the trickster.

I used underglazes to paint the bird on the bowl, it will

be covered with a transparent glaze and high fired.

Another travel mug

Here is another travel mug from pre-made bisqueware. This one was for my handsome middle son who likes the Goth lifestyle. I've made him several mugs with skulls so I thought I would "branch out". The leafless trees are suitably spooky. He was born in the year of the boar, thus the boar under the tree.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.
This is where I will record and consider my ceramic progress and the life issues that contribute to my work. I hope you find it interesting and informative.

At this time in my art journey, there are two strong facets that will occasionally blend together beautifully, at other times they are centuries apart.



The photograph at the left is an example of my interpretation of a historical pot. I have a great love of history and research constantly to find the most handsome and interesting pots. I also do "experimental archaeology" to test the functions these ancient designs served.

The original of this "drinking jug" was unearthed in Exeter, UK. It was from the Twelfth Century and thought to have been imported from France. I like everything about it, the strength of the shape, the surface design, the glaze application. The owners centuries before must have been so proud to set this jug on their table or to pour libation from its handsome form.

My other style is Contemporary Studio Pottery.

With this work I am constantly experimenting and trying unique ideas. My goal is always to make a work of art functional for everyday use and appreciation.

The mug in the picture above is my most recent style. I employ textures everywhere and multiple glazes. I enjoy adding multiple touches to this style, while they are leather-hard I attack them with stamps, rollers, scratching blades, extra tiny bits of sprigging. Glazing follows the same spirit have a general idea in mind when decorating commences, but no plan to follow. I just let my right brain loose on them and the pots love it. An appreciative customer titled the new red-purple glaze I've been working with "Huckleberry". I especially appreciated this, I grew up on huckleberries and consider them my "soul food". So how perfect a name for my soul work.