Legalize Pottery’s School of Fish Continues to Grow

posted in: Blog, General | 0

I just can’t seem to stop creating fish ceramics.  Here’s the latest creation, still pretty fragile, in the process of hardening (greenware stage).   Notice I’m using ‘fish wrap’ to cradle the piece while it is drying.

img_0571

Below is a smaller fish which just survived bisque firing, and now ready for glazing.

Feel the Summer Energy Rising

posted in: Blog | 0

This Summer has started out auspiciously — with a rare “Strawberry Moon.”  A full moon shone on Summer Solstice (June 20) — the longest day of the year.  Hasn’t happened since 1967, and we all know what a great year that was!   Won’t happen again until 2062 — pending intervening unknowns.

So, I’m trying to make Summer plans that are equal to this auspicious start, involving heretofore unknown feats involving ceramics.  I was inspired by attending “Open Studios” last month, in particular one artist who recently switched from 2D (painting) to 3D (ceramics) and was cranking out some amazing work.  Since then, I have begun some cranking out of my own:

Fish Dishes — each one unique . . .

IMG_0387 IMG_0385

 

Shallow Serving Bowls — with enough breadth (11”) to accommodate my propensity to carve carve carve.  The first pic reflects my favorite ceramic subject which is fish.  The second pic reflects another of my favorite things, words. The idea of carving words was inspired by an acquaintance who was spouting off about people really liking things (artwork) with sayings on them.  Plus, I was enamored with Ms. Bockle’s words in a recent MoveGirlGO post which I paraphrased . . .

IMG_0435IMG_0397

 

I’ve got loads more clay on hand to keep me busy for the rest of the Summer, and hopefully I’ll continue to “feel my energy rising.”

Fish in 3D

posted in: Blog, Uncategorized | 0

I’ve made loads of Fish Dishes in the past, 22 at last count, and the Legalize Pottery site has a whole page devoted to Fishes.  But so far the fish have been two-dimensional.

large_green_fish_goldlips_platter_side

 

While functional, my Fish Dishes aren’t what fish are all about, so to speak.  Now I’ve started to make some three-dimensional fish — sculptural, decorative, more fish-like, with a whimsical flair.

The basic technique is to start with a pinch pot, close up the top, and use a paddle to beat it into shape (no fish were hurt or injured during this process).  With the time-consuming addition of eyes, lips, tail, fins, scales, the fish is complete.  As a bonus, some evolutionary feet were added so the fish can properly stand for viewing.

IMG_0150

 

Top fish – before bisque firing

 

 

Bottom fish – after bisque firing

 

 

 

 

bisqued_fish_detail

 

Detail – after bisque firing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lastly, the glazes were applied – underglaze for the eyes (covered with clear glaze and a coat of wax), followed by Raku glazes —  Matte Blue (body) and Shiny Abalone (accents). Raku fired in a gas kiln to 1800+ degrees, and cooled in a bucket with sawdust & crumpled newsprint.  The first completed sculptured fish ended up with unique coloring which varies on either side.

raku_fish_side2 raku_fish_side

3D Ceramics Transformed into 2D Artwork

posted in: Blog, Uncategorized | 0

A Favorite Blue Fish PlatterQuite some time ago, I made a whimsical Fish Dish with multiple fins, elaborate tail, gills, scales, big lips and eye.   Multiple carving tools were used to create texturing and crevices.  Cobalt Blue Oxide was applied for highlighting the various features, red iron oxide was used on the lips.  Celedon glaze was brushed on.  (Hand-built from High-Fire Porcelain, dimensions are 7″ x 4″)

 

 

 

IMG_1824A few months later, this same Fish Dish was cloned, and became something entirely unexpected.  That is, my niece created a beautiful 2-D image of this Fish Dish, somehow transforming it into a piece of framed artwork.  My niece is not divulging the techniques for making this beautiful image, although there appear to be some watercolor elements.   All I know is — somehow my work was transformed into something else which can be considered to be true art.  I love this piece times two!

 

Summer Projects

posted in: Blog, Images, Uncategorized | 0

As usual, I skipped the Summer Session of my ceramics class, and instead worked on my own. Also as usual, accomplishments fell short of the goal, and there are only a few finished pieces so far, and fewer still are worth sharing.

Fish Dish #18, per customer’s specifications . . .

Image
Plaque (reversible), wire hanger with beads . . .Image 1

Spindly-legged stand with fish carving, inlaid with colored glass particles . . .Image

I spent most of my time slip-casting and trying to alter the results into something unique. I acquired several different molds and 4 gallons of slip, and spent lots of time/effort making the pieces ‘artsy’ rather than ‘crafty’ BUT not quite there yet.

Pyramids embellished with fish . . .IMG_1819

Work in Progress . . .

 

Fish with Hanger

posted in: Blog, Images, Uncategorized | 0

Image 1Image
This clever fish is able to morph into a spoon rest, or a soap dish, or a sushi dish, or a candy dish, or a nut bowl, etc.

AND, there’s a wire attached on the back, so it is able to hang out on your wall!

 

Finished with copper carbonate and cobalt carbonate in the crevices, and bright-colored underglaze on the lips and eye.  A light turquoise glaze was brushed overall.  Lastly, a chip of blue glass was added to the eye, which melted to create a great effect.  Cone 5-6 white stoneware, 5-1/2” long, 4-1/2” wide, sides about 2” high.

Latest Fish Dish

posted in: Blog, Portfolio, Uncategorized | 0


green_fish2

 

A unique and fantastical fish with exaggerated fins and hand carved textures.

Crevices decorated with cobalt blue, bright red lips, blue glass eye, glazed with celedon.

Approx. 8 x 6 inches, Handbuilt, Cone 10 Stoneware.