Let the Beauty of what you Love be what you Do...
~Rumi

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Results from Glaze Calc Class

Finally got "Big Bear" glazed & fired. Though I think the form could be just a little better (it's a process & I'm still learning how to "go big" & my skills are not quite there yet) I am crazy about the glaze results! I have been working on variations of the Satin Mint glaze in class- the results you see here are from 3 different points on a 21 point triaxial. The darker brown in between the front & hind legs is simply the clay body & the effects of the soda fire.

Bear Sculpture~ H: 8 1/2", W: 8 1/2",  L: 21" Satin Mint Glaze, Modified. High Hills  Clay Body,  Soda Fired~ Cone 10





This is not my favorite angle, (his head looks funny!) but I wanted to give you a 360 view so you could see all the variations of glaze color & texture. (Click twice to enlarge for greater detail.)



Of the 10 or so small bears that came out of the kiln, these 5 are the ones that made the cut. The others I either was not happy w/ the glaze effects, the posture of the bears, or both. The one on the left is Satin Mint green on a dark brown clay body! I find it extremely interesting how totally different the glazes look on different clay bodies.


I also got a bunch of functional work back, but this cup was really the only one I was excited about. Why you ask? Well, because of the glazes!


While I did one dip from the Shino bucket from a premixed glaze, the other 2 glazes are from glazes we mixed & modified in glaze calc class. The center stripe is... *wait for it* Satin Mint Green!! (I know, I am totally obsessed w/ this glaze!) The rim & inside of the cup is "Ronbeck Blue," a result from mixing a line blend from my glaze triaxial slop & a classmates glaze triaxial slop. If you haven't figured it out, it has been named after my classmate & I, and it's a hit! Only 1 week of classes left~ got most of my remaining work glazed Monday... just a few more pieces to do & that's it. While I'm ready for a break, I also feel classes are coming to a close just when I started getting into the swing of things. Already excited to see how the final pieces turn out!
:)

8 comments:

clairz said...

I am always amazed at all the variations. You are learning so much, Becky!

Anonymous said...

I am impressed with all of the bears. The cup is in my favorite colors, so of course I like it. Just exactly how large is the big bear?

Ms. Becky said...

I truly enjoy watching your growth as an artist. I too love the Satin Mint glaze, the color variations are beautiful. I can only imagine how much work it is to become skilled at this, but you're doing it so well. It must be a whole lot of fun to finally get the pieces out of the kiln and see what the glaze looks like. I recall the days when I loved working in the darkroom - developing the film and then printing the photo. The most exciting part was waiting for the image to appear on the paper. You just never know what you're going to get, and I love that. I think the blue in the cup is spectacular.
And your new header photo blows me away. WOW.
happy day to you Becks.

Randy said...

The bear is great but that cup ROCKS!
One more week and it's all over. I hope your week is going well and that your back to feeling 100% better. Oh I missed the Clay show because of all the homework I had to do. I am sure I will see Kathleen at the Eldorado Studio tour on the 19th. I will just have to buy two tile to make up for the fair. :-)

Kate said...

I'm learning a good deal about glazes from reading your blog. Love the line-up of the five bears.

Went to Charleston, SC after our winter months in NM, and decided that we're going to try that wonderful city next winter.

Tammie Lee said...

gorgeous as can be, each piece!!

Linda Starr said...

Love your sculptures and the glazes are wonderful

Annie said...

The big bear turned out wonderful! All the bears did and the cup is lovely. Hope you are having a good weekend. xoxo