short snippets

And finally they are finished.

2012-01-28T18:37:00.000+10:00

Here we are after two firings most of it is ready.
I just have to wait now for nice dry weather to do the raku firing and get these hearts and some other pieces finished.

waiting for the sun!

After the bisque firing.

Can you believe this was all in the kiln + the pile of hearts!

final result, tea bowls,

more...

and more...

and more...,

last set!

ordered mugs, and I tried a dinner plate, bowl and small plate to see if it looked good as a dinner set.

And the popular chicken mugs.

Sometimes I try doggies,

Or cats!

ON A ROLL AGAIN!

2012-01-20T19:16:00.000+10:00

I'm ready to do a bisque firing, I made a bit to much to fit it all in the kiln so.......
These ladies have to wait till next time.

I started loading the kiln witch always takes quite some time for me to do because I fiddle to get lots in there

So far loaded I have got about 20 mugs, 7 "rocks" 18 tea bowls, 1 dinner plate 1 bowl and 1 small plate, then in between some of the hearts I showed you before.

See the space on the top were I want to fit the pieces that are still on the table....

And as I sad, fiddle, fiddle fiddle... ta-daaaa... its in!

Because of the bisque firing there are no glazes on the pieces yet and I can stack them, witch is sometimes tricky as well, the colours might jump over from one piece to another so there is a little risk I am taking here, fingers crossed for this one.

After about an 9 hour firing and cooled for 24 hours it all should be ready to be glazed.

So much to do... So little time!!!

2012-01-07T18:50:00.000+10:00

I have been trying to do some more clay things... but we are still picking strawberries and it takes up a lot of time to pack them.. so not much time left to for other things.

I had an hour here and there and started on some hearts witch I will fire in my Raku kiln and with a bit of luck they will be ready for valentines day.

A Letter A Week- ALAW

2011-12-29T19:47:00.000+10:00

This is my fourth ABC.

A letter a week 2011, a project that began in 2010 and is primarily about having fun, experimenting and having a regular, small project to focus on each week.

The aim is simply to write/create a letter a week.

I took photo's of tools and parts in the toolshed and other objects that looked like the letters I needed.

A-a couple of files, B-2 D shackles, C- a little part of a iron door mat, D- was easy, a D shackle.

E- a pitch fork, F- 2 bolts and nuts, G- a bicycle chain, H- The legs of a stool.

I- a big nail, J- a curly tail of a ornamental chicken, K-some clay things I made, L- an aks.

M- handle of old shearing shears, N-old cotton reels, O- rolled vine, P-a hose clamp

Q-rolled vine, R- handle of an oil jug, S- a S hook, T-a hammer

U-another vine twined, V- 2 tall chook necks, W-the shearers handle upside down, X- chair legs.

Y- a part of a rubber door mat, Z- 2 Japanese brushes and a cotton reel.

A verry Happy Christmas to every one.

2011-12-24T18:26:00.001+10:00

Wishing All My Blogging Friends a Happy And Safe Christmas And a Healthy 2012. xxx

EARLY!

2011-12-14T18:06:00.000+10:00

I made the wreath out of rusty old wire.

I have started a bit earlier with the Christmas decorations this year, must be because the last of the kids have flown the nest, and I must have some more time up my sleeve!
Catching up on all the things that needed done but had to wait for some reason and it feels good!
Not much claywork done for the last 4 weeks and start to feel itchy to get back to it, got my list done for what I want to make and it is growing so after Christmas I hopefully have lots of time do do it all!

CULTURE 2 CULTURE

2011-12-03T18:24:00.000+10:00

I am invited to be part of this exiting project.
Ceramic artist from various parts of china and our local region are creating individual ceramic tiles, the size of dominoes, to be part of a major body of collaborative work to be exhibited in various Sunshine Coast venues in 2012.

DOMINO TILE SIZE- 8cm x4cm x1cm
CLAY-any
DECORATION- any.

So I decided to do some colourful ones, the glazes I use a lot for various pieces, and a set with horsehair and feather raku, pieces that I do quite a lot of as well.

I delivered them 2 days ago, it will be interesting to see all the tiles together.

The colourful ones, a matt glaze selection.

Horsehair and feather Raku.

the squiggled horsehair patterns.

NEXT COMA EXIBITION.

2011-11-18T18:12:00.000+10:00

Maleny image 10, The next COMA exhibition is coming up running from 28 November to 28 December, in the Maple 3 Cafe, Maleny.

The theme this time is "The Twelve Days Of Christmas"

I have chosen to use clay of course, a work 300mmx300 mm

Gone for the last one: A Partridge In A Pear Tree.

I did have some trouble along the way and it took much longer than I anticipated, but in the end got it all together, just in time!.

New look kitchen.

2011-11-12T20:42:00.000+10:00

I have been busy painting my kitchen, from a nice timber to distressed white!
It makes the whole kitchen look brighter and lighter and I'm happy with the result.

BEFORE

AND AFTER

And now there is more to do, youngest child left the nest, more rearranging, and clearing to do.

Its rather quite around here we have to get used to that I suppose.

ART AWARD.

2011-10-29T19:53:00.000+10:00

Last week I entered a sculpture into the inaugural Alan Reading Memorial Art Awards,

established by Lyn his wife in memory of Alan who passed away last year of cancer.

With proceeds to go to bloomhill cancer funds.

And was lucky to receive a FIRST in the mix media, whoopee...

A Piece that stands about 150 cm. high.

Made of recycled timber, oxidised iron, horsehair raku and black fired clay.

SPRING...

2011-10-23T17:21:00.000+10:00

It definitely is spring on our property..

Magpie geese on the dam....

Swallows under the veranda...

Tiny little frog on the window...

And a nest of eastern yellow robin fast asleep.

ANOTHER KILN LOAD DONE!

2011-10-08T14:22:00.000+10:00

The second glaze firing finished.

A bowl 30 cm. diameter

some close-ups

these could work for a painting I suppose.

18 cm. diameter

26 cm. diameter

I had fun doing these, away from the boring thing I think.

Just have to do different things keeps it interesting, for me anyway.

26 cm. diameter

I love trying different ideas and wen they work out good its a great feeling and I want to keep going.

26 cm. diameter

32 cm. diameter

LADIES DONE AND DUSTED!

2011-10-01T16:39:00.001+10:00

The first glaze firing done and it looks pretty good, I'm quite happy with the result.

It is always a surprise to open the kiln and see the work finished.

Happy pumpkins looking bright.

Sea urchins

This set of teapots was supposed to go to the teapot competition in Brisbane, but alas... only single items can be entered so I give it a miss and keep them for a future comp.

These bright bowls are a commission for a new shop.

Lots of curly feet, dots and stripes.

The next load of items are in the kiln and are finished tomorrow, fingers crossed for the result, not that I can change it now.

LADIES IN WAITING.

2011-09-25T16:02:00.000+10:00

New Chookies ready to be glazed and fired again.

Some new designs also need to be glazed with a clear glaze.

Well this time I have been making lots of new designs, which was a lot of fun, but it took me longer to do of course, used different clays as well.

And by doing that I have to do different firings because these clays need different temperatures.

A few domino's for the culture to culture challenge.

Another kiln load for the first firing and then I can finally finish al these pieces.

Preserving.

2011-09-03T14:35:00.000+10:00

Wen my grandma past away I got these bookends which I always loved.

That is a long time ago.
Being made of casting plaster, they are deteriorating badly.

I couldn't let that happen now could I.
Soooo, I made replicas in clay and I must say I'm very happy with the result.
Like this they will last forever.

Morrocan influence

2011-08-20T13:47:00.001+10:00

I bought this little pot in Morocco, not for the purpose of using it as a sample for my bowls, but after making the terracotta bowls it just called out to me to use it as an example to decorate the bowls, so here is the result.

I also made a bigger bowl with a different design which worked quite good i think.

I lined the bowl with a white slip and scratched the lines in this to reveal the terracotta underneath, the a clear glaze over the top with some copper oxide in it. I left the outside and rim unglazed to give a nice contrast.

ABC 2011.

2011-08-12T14:27:00.000+10:00

The finished ABC for 2011, as we did last year we made another ABC this time I used a different material than clay and had lots of fun with it.

The finished book.

www.aletteraweek2011.blogspot.com this will bring you to my other blog to see all the entrees.

some detail on the front.

Here are some of my pages out of the book I made.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

2011-07-11T20:05:00.000+10:00

First 3 weeks in Holland to catch up with all the family, then....

MOROCCO!!!

And what an experience it was.

So many things to see and do, I think we fitted in as much as we could in the 10 days we were there.

2 days Marrakesh

2 day trip up in the atlas to the Berbers

3 days in Esaouria

2 day trip to the Sahara

A fully packed 10 days with lots of photo's to be sorted and memories never to forget.

BACK IN TIME.

2011-05-28T06:20:00.000+10:00

I have gone trough my pottery photo's and found these images, some pieces I did 6 years ago.

I'm glad I take photo's of the pieces I make, which takes time and effort to do but great reference for later.

One forget sometimes the things we made!

It's good to go over all these photo's and remember...

and sometimes it gets the inspiration going again, as I hope I will get on my trip and come back refreshed and ready to start.

This is the winning piece I made for the Kenilworth Art Festival.

Last bits finishing.

2011-05-15T18:35:00.001+10:00

I am trying to get some pieces finished before I go on a HOLIDAY.... whoopy!

4 weeks Holland were I will be caching up with 9 brothers and sisters of mine and 7 brothers and sisters of Hans (hubby)

and then 10 days Marrakesh!

This week on Thursday starts the exhibition at Immanuel college.

Next week we have the COMA exhibition "between the lines"

So lots to be done.

Wen I come back in July the Nambour garden show will be nearly there, which is always a good selling point for me, and I need my things ready before I go.

Not the best background, they look great at night wen the candle is burning in the dark.

MALENY ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR.

2011-04-30T18:04:00.000+10:00

This week-end we have our mothers day fair going from Friday to Monday.

I made some special mugs for mums, and luckily for me they didn't last long.

It's not over yet but I'm pretty pleased with the results so far.

It's always a gamble, you never know what will sell, so I have lots of different things to try and have something for all tastes, and sometimes that doesn't even work.

We are lucky with the weather it has been raining all week but this morning the sun was out.

And it is very busy in our little town we also have the "wood expo" happening from chainsaw to fine furniture and that always attracts a big crowd.

HAPPY EASTER!

2011-04-23T19:24:00.000+10:00

Another batch of hatch lings... 6 this time, just in time for Easter.

some shots from my morning walk at home.

Ready to be harvested

NOT JUST RAKU.

2011-04-16T09:46:00.001+10:00

After I did my first raku firing I thought this is not for me, and look at me now!
It's not just raku there are lots of tricky bits, get the glaze right, the firing, the reduction and after all that the outcome is still unpredictable.
So here are a few wall-tiles finished after that last firing.

Just a white crackle glaze with a different glaze on the hearts, no glaze on the black bits.

I'm happy the way the turquoise worked here, for some reason often it reduces to much and many times it goes a yukky brown-red.

Mmmmmmmm........not sure about this one!

A mixture of glazes, fish should have been brighter!

LEFTOVERS.

2011-04-02T09:22:00.002+10:00

After Throwing or handbuilding there is always leftover bits of clay as I mentioned before, and after using these bits there is again leftover clay, smaller pieces this time.

With these bits I usually make clay stamps or beads

which come in handy for various pieces I make.

Clay is such a fertile medium to use it amazes me time and again.

After a few firings.

2011-03-23T16:30:00.001+10:00

A few firings later.

some pieces from the RAKU firing, The crackle glaze worked different this time. I quite like the result.

The colours from my mixed glazes worked wonders and gave me beautiful colours.

I made 3 fish but one exploded in the bisque firing. It's hard to know what the reason was for this, It was dry enough, the only reason I can think of, is that there must have been some air trapped inside.

They are doing well!

2011-03-17T19:57:00.000+10:00

My not so little chickens are doing well.

Here is my white one, cute and oh so fluffy!

Then there are these 2 darker ones, which I think are ROOSTERS!!

Starting to fight each other so see who's boss.

So one of these days unfortunately they have to leave and live somewhere else.

Here they are all together a month ago fluffing in the dust, it doesn't take long for them to grow up.

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS.

2011-03-12T18:13:00.000+10:00

A FULL KILN!

Another load ready to be fired, a fully loaded kiln. In this load I have pieces that need to be fired once more with glaze added on them then fired at a higher temperature, and some that only need one fire in the electric kiln and then another firing in the raku kiln, still there are again other pieces in here that need a firing to only a low temperature, so a real mixture of different clays, firings and glaze application. Why am I doing this again??

Just to keep it interesting and keeping me on my toes!

Waiting to go in the next firing together with the low fire glazed pieces.

These need only one firing in the electric and then in the raku kiln.

And with all the different firings I want to try new glazes just about every time I fire, again to keep it interesting!!

Little pots of trial glaze to see if I like it, and then make larger quantities.

And so.....I end up with these little pots of glazes which I will use again some time later.

RECYCLE.

2011-03-03T16:57:00.000+10:00

I work with many different clay-types so in the end get all these different colours and textures which I still can use.

The slips and slops and pieces that have been cut of while trowing on the wheel.

Little strips and cut-offs after turning and finishing pieces.

After slaking and drying the clay a little bit I end up with these colourful pieces of different clays.

Then some elbow grease and lots of kneading to mix the different clays

I will end up with some new balls of clay ready to be made in some more wheel-or hand build creations.

ACCEPTED.

2011-02-24T19:47:00.000+10:00

I put A submission in the 500 series from Lark books and been accepted into 2 books now which is pretty exiting.
The first one was in 2008 in the 500 tiles book, for this book there were 1500 submissions so very happy to be one of the lucky ones.

The second book only just came out this year. for this book there were 2100 submissions so lucky again.

It feels good to see your work published in a beautiful book full of inspiration.

A few words from the judge: In selecting pieces for the book, i considered more than 2100 submissions. I gravitated towards work that seemed to preserve the custom of raku while pushing it to new frontiers.The selected artist have dramatically expanded the technique's aesthetic vocabulary while demonstrating astounding skill with surface, form, and firing. Their reverence for tradition combined with their thirst for experimentation ensures that raku will continue to flourish for years to come. I'm proud to share their work with you.

Jim Romberg, juror.
professor emeritus of ceramics, studio artist, and director of Eagleheart Center for Art and Inquiry.

RAKU PIECES

2011-02-15T19:52:00.000+10:00

Last Saturday we finally had a nice dry day, so time to do a RAKU firing.
I had some little tiles, wall tiles and some more horsehair tiles to do.(I will post these later they need a bit more work done to them)

Wall tiles mounted on timber

Small tiles 8x8cm.

I haven't worked out yet what to do with them!

some detail of the small tiles.

Collagraph printing workshop.

2011-02-11T19:38:00.002+10:00

This week I did a collagraph printing workshop at the Caloundra regional gallery.

First making the plates from mat-board and gluing different textures on in a way of your choosing.

After a couple of coats of shellac the plates are ready for inking and printing.

This is so much fun to do and I was quite happy with the results.

Not the best of prints yet, but certainly something I would like to do more of.

GLAZE FIRING DONE!

2011-02-01T18:23:00.002+10:00

Bowl, just for fun.

Bigger bowls for salads, bread an whatever else you want to put in it.

Detail of bigger bowls.

Mugs, also just for fun.

More mugs.

And some more bowls.

3 NEW CHICKS!

2011-01-22T16:52:00.000+10:00

Finally it worked, my silky chicken got 3 baby chickens.

It took 3 tries to get it right and I don't really know why it didn't work the previous times.

Interesting to know that this time I took eggs that have been stored in the fridge before I put them under.

And they say that doesn't work!

Aren't they small!

One stripy,

One grey,

One yellow.

How cute they are.

GREENWARE.

2011-01-16T19:17:00.001+10:00

Finally some more work done, mugs and bowls this time.
decorated and ready to put in the kiln for there first firing to 1000 degrees Celsius.
Then a clear glaze over the top and firing again to 1220 degrees.
But first I have to make some more pieces to fill up the kiln, which i hope to do this coming week wen it will be drier weather then last week, it takes a long time to dry pieces in this damp atmosphere.
It feels good to get back into it. With the holidays almost over and a quieter time coming up I might have time to do more.

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

2010-12-31T19:21:00.000+10:00

PIECE, FRIENDSHIP, HAPPINESS, LOVE, HEALTH FOR ALL.

I JUST LOVE BRUSHES!

2010-12-27T20:08:00.001+10:00

In pottery, brushes have many uses. They are used to apply slurry or slip to joints during construction. Brushes are used to apply decorative effects such as slips, underglazes, glazes, and overglazes.

I do like brushes a lot, whenever I see brushes I have to stop and look, feel, buy or take photos.

So here are a few I collected over the years.

These I saw in the national gallery of N.S.W.

Then there are these I saw Jackson Li making in Gulgong.

Jackson Li, a very talented potter and brush maker who uses natural hair from many different animals or whatever he can gets his hands on, with lovely bamboo handles.

This one I couldn't resist and bought it, I haven't used it yet, just waiting for the wright pot to come along!

Johanna De Maine has been to Jingdezhen City in China for three weeks to attend a summer school and network with other artists. Jingdezhen City is a sister city of the Sunshine Coast and has an 1800 year reputation as the porcelain capital of China. After her visit she had a informative talk at Buderim craft cottage which I attended and admired the brushes she brought back.

And then.... there is my collection of well used brushes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

2010-12-23T19:28:00.000+10:00

WARM CHRISTMAS WISHES TO YOU ALL.

AND A PEACEFULL AND HAPPY 2011

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS

2010-12-17T20:17:00.000+10:00

THE DECORATIONS ARE OUT.

THE TREE IS UP

SOME PRESENTS ARE WRAPPED.

AND THERE IS 8 DAYS TO GO.

GOT THE MENU SORTED, SHOPPING LIST READY, PRETTY MUCH ON TRACK THIS YEAR

FEELS GOOD, AND HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT.

SO WE CAN ALL HAVE A RELAXING WONDERFUL DAY TOGETHER WITH THE FAMILY.

WERE IS THE SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-12-07T19:19:00.002+10:00

Lots and lots of rain.

The dam is full.

Overflowing

Water everywhere.

Brings out fungi.

And big spiders to.

Christmas break-up.

2010-12-03T17:03:00.000+10:00

Last Thursday we had the Christmas break-up day with our pottery group.

So all on the bus to the Bribie-island art centre.

As it happened there was a pottery exhibition on, perfect for us to have a look at.

some beautiful work from many talented people amongst them Cath Macauley and of course I could not go past this sweet little necklace!

The art centre is a wonderful place with lots of room for everyone, a shop, and a gallery.

ANOTHER T-POT!

2010-11-27T20:06:00.000+10:00

This one is just for fun, the colours came out o.k. although I would have liked them a little bit brighter.

The beading of the blue glaze worked well, A glaze which happened by accident.

I like to try lots of different glazes, and make up small batches to try first which leaves me with all these small amounts, in the end I will put them together similar colours together and so here I created a beautiful beading glaze. The only trouble is... I cannot repeat the recipe so wen this batch is finished its gone forever.

T-bags.

2010-11-23T18:42:00.000+10:00

Today I am sharing the work of my daughter Jessie.
She is studying interior design and as an assignment had to design something out of recycled material. Knowing a few of you have been working with tea-bags would appreciate her work.

FINALY...I'M BACK!

2010-11-20T19:15:00.001+10:00

It's good to be back, I've got a new camera and very happy with the results, still learning how to use it properly, which will take some time to get it right I think.

The Maleny arts and craft Christmas fair is on again on the 26-27-28 November, so busy getting my pieces ready for that.

Hopefully it will be a busy week-end, with lots of people through the doors!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

2010-10-21T19:42:00.001+10:00

At least that is how I feel about my last Raku pieces.

I have been trying to get these wonderfull colours for some time, Getting the copper matt effect you want in Raku is all about glaze manipulation and timing.

How bright the colours you get depends on:

Firing,
The thickness of glaze and how you apply it.
Temperature and duration of firing.

Post Firing,
Temperature at which you start reduction.
Timing before and during oxidisation.
Rate at which the final cooling takes place.

It is sometimes disappointing if it doesn't work to begin with, it's something you have to keep trying.
And then there wil be these exiting results you are looking for.

Take a rest!

2010-10-06T19:35:00.002+10:00

I have been working on a few different things at the same time, which obviously not always works!
A tea-pot exhibition coming up in Brisbane and I have been making a few different ones, I was very happy with this one wen it was bisque fired, but now....NOT any more after the glaze firing!

Handle totally crooked and cracked. so a big no no for this one.
I feel I don't have one good enough to enter the competition, a bit disappointing hopefully better next time.

I made some wall tiles and raku fired them, luckily they are a lot better,
and ready to go into the open gardens exhibition this week-end together with a few other garden sculptures.

After the week-end I have to take a break from clay and look after Hans(my husband) who will get 2 hip replacements next week and will be out of action for some time.

MORE NAKED RAKU

2010-09-25T17:54:00.000+10:00

BEES.

2010-09-22T18:31:00.001+10:00

Last week there was a lot of buzzing going on at the olive tree, a bee swarm looking for a new house.

It settled in the olive tree for a wile and went on its way a few hours later.

The this morning more bees swarming this time in the mandarin tree.

Spring is the season for bees to swarm. Despite being happily housed in their hives, nature has vested within bees the urge to leave home annually in search of ‘greener pastures’. In actual fact, what happens is that the old queen bee leaves the hive with a large colony of her subjects when a new queen, one that the worker bees have raised in the hive, is about to emerge from her cell and make a challenge. By leaving with at least half the hive to support her, the old queen makes room for the new queen to build up the remaining hive to full strength, thus ensuring the continuation of the species, indeed its expansion.

T POTS GALORE.

2010-09-12T18:10:00.000+10:00

I have been making a few teapots.

Making tea pots that will pour perfectly is not an easy task.

I did a teapot workshop with Kevin Grealy years ago and he stated his criteria for a functional teapot, which are: *That it makes tea successfully

*That it pours tea successfully

*That it retains the leaves successfully

*That it pleases the eye in use and when not in use.

I am not fully sure if I qualify in every task.

Not that all the teapots I made are for domestic use, I do like to make decorative teapots maybe more, and as Kevin states, none of the previous concerns are of importance for these except for exaggeration, satire, humour etc.

I always take on the challenge of making some usual ones as well.

The teapot on the right is a functional one.

Three decorative little t pots.

Definitely decorative.

And two decorative teapots that have been RAKU fired.

breakfast.

2010-09-05T18:33:00.000+10:00

On a quiet Saturday morning having breakfast on my own it dawned to me that I am using nice pots that I collected over time from people I met, A coffee cup from Kaye Pemberton, breakfast bowl from Michael Pugh and a small bowl from Chester Nealie www.sidestoke.com/Nealie/index.html all wile reading the last Australian ceramics aaaahhhhhhhh live is good!

SPRING IS ON IT'S WAY.

2010-08-29T17:15:00.001+10:00

Spring must be upon us!
On Friday in a nice sunny place we found this visitor (a red bellied black snake) brrr...
Luckily it quickly disappeared.

NAKED RAKU.

2010-08-27T18:03:00.000+10:00

NAKED RAKU is somewhat complicated: a resist slip is used to prevent the glaze layer from adhering permanently to the surface of a burnished pot. After firing and smoking, the glaze is removed along with the resist slip, revealing a subtle patterning where the smoke has partially penetrated through the crackled glaze to the (naked) raku-fired clay surface.

Here is the result of the first NAKED RAKU firing, this time I only did two pieces just to get the feel of it and to be sure it worked o.k., not totally happy with the result so far, but at least I can adjust for the next firing in 2 weeks time. Not that the outcome will be exactly as predicted, there is always a hint of surprise.

FINALLY FINISHED.

2010-08-20T19:29:00.000+10:00

The finished "sea urchins. Hanging mosquito coil holders.

Fun garden stakes and more mosquito coil holders.

If the weather is nice next week I will do some more Raku firings,
I started on the pieces some time ago I try to do a mixture of raku firings, naked raku, reduction raku and hopefully some horsehair raku as well.

The word Raku means "joy" or "happiness".

Firing Methods and Results

Raku
The process of Raku firing differs from other firing methods because the pots are removed from the kiln at their maximum temperature.
Thermal shock of this rapid cooling is stressful on the pottery. It is achieved by using an open clay body. The porosity of the clay body acts like a shock absorber, preventing the body from immediately fracturing when the pot is removed from the kiln.
Raku glazes are often fractured, which are referred to as Crazing. These crackle glazes are enhanced by the post firing smoking of Raku pots that embeds carbon into the crackles of the glaze.

BLUE CHOOKS.

2010-08-08T18:49:00.000+10:00

My version of chickens! a bit blue..a bit silly...a bit long. the tallest is about 40 cm.long.

THE GIRLS ARE COMING HOME...

2010-08-01T18:22:00.000+10:00

At least that's what I thought, having 4 baby chickens it turns out I have 3 roosters and 1 hen..

Here are the boys, there comb is bigger and there tail feathers are longer, it took quite a while before you could see the difference but now it is very clear, doing there little fights, but most of the time happy to wonder around together in harmony.And here is the only girl, hardly any comb and a lot fluffier on top.

black and white.

2010-07-28T17:56:00.000+10:00

Finally finished a few more of my little pots they are about 10 cm. high.

The feathers worked better this time I think.

And I have been busy using the different clay samples I brought back from Gulgong,

coloured some porcelain with stains, tried different shapes, and now they don't want to dry in this damp weather so I keep fiddling with other ideas and will keep you posted on the result.

Easy cooking!

2010-07-22T19:22:00.001+10:00

I have been making these terracotta pots for the microwave lately, and they are very popular. In today's busy lives it makes cooking your potatoes very easy and QUICK.

Directions for use.
Use only clean dry potatoes.
Place clean, dry potatoes, about the same size, in pot.
Cook on high for 3 minutes.
More or less depending on the size and number of potatoes.
Just experiment.
Never wash this pot-it just keeps getting better.
AND THE GOOD THING IS IT REALLY WORKS!
People who bought a pot told me they tried broccoli and other vegetables as well and are happy with the result, I should try this myself and see.

bower bird.

2010-07-14T16:59:00.001+10:00

On my walk today I discovered a bower from a bower bird,The male Satin Bower bird is perhaps the best known and well documented of all the bower birds in Australia. This fame partially stems from its practice of building and decorating a bower to attract females. This consists of two parallel walls of sticks, is built on the ground, and is used as a courtship arena during the breeding season. The male decorates it with bright blue coloured objects that it collects; blue clothes pegs, drinking straws and bottle tops are among the favourite stolen items, while bright blue parrot feathers, flowers and brown snail shells, make up the majority of decorations away from human habitation. A mixture of chewed vegetable matter and saliva is used to paint the walls of the bower. The bower owner meticulously maintains it throughout the year.

I will go back tomorrow and try to photograph the bird in its bower.

ALAWs first alphabet finished.

2010-07-14T16:51:00.000+10:00

And here is the result of the first alphabet for ALAW.

TEAPOTS.

2010-06-30T18:43:00.000+10:00

Some teapots I did a couple of years ago.

Not to use but just decorative. I really liked doing these and should be doing a few more. There is always to many things I like to try and then I forget what is all is!!

Horsehair and Feathers.

2010-06-19T17:57:00.000+10:00

Some horsehair...Some feathers in black and white.

Some horsehair....Some horsehair in toasty caramel.

I am quite pleased with this result of gift-boxed horsehair and feather pots.

Black and white gives a nice contrast with the black boxes.

The letters for May.

2010-06-05T14:21:00.000+10:00

O.K. we are nearly at the end of the first alphabeth, so this month I have done 5 again, the F looks a bit faint but is better on white.

NATURE AT ITS BEST.

2010-05-30T16:11:00.000+10:00

I found this beautifull bright yellow butterfly on my way to the letterbox, as far as I can find out it is the Large grass yellow butterfly, not a 100% sure about this.

inspiring!

2010-05-14T10:51:00.000+10:00

"Painting with smoke"

a handbuild vessel made by David Roberts from the U.K.

And what a wonderfull week it was in gulgong. David Roberts one of the 18 master potters from around the globe, demontrating there way of ceramic making.

Our turn on saturday, my pot before firing, glazed and scrached. Cooling down and some pots finished.

It was a full program from 9.00 in the morning till about 8.00 at night. So plenty to take in and deciding wich demontrations to go to.

A warming up session of Louise Boscacci!

More for "Clay Energy" Gulgong

2010-04-23T19:04:00.000+10:00

"Up In Smoke"

All delegates/potters/teachers/students are invited to make and exhibit a ceramic art work that will fit inside a matchbox.

All work will be exhibited during Clay Energy Gulgong 2010 in a venue to be advised.

A final 45 works will be chosen by Michael Ciavarella and Rowley Drysdale, with the aim of an ongoing tour of the exhibition. Venues for the touring exhibition will also include Fusions Gallery, Brisbane, and The Gallery, Eumundi, Sunshine Coast.

There is no set theme.
All participants are to bring their work with them to be delivered on Wednesday, April 28.
Late entries will not be accepted!
There will be a People's Choice Award and an Exhibition opening.
Please note:
No box is to be altered or painted on the outside.
The art work MUST fit inside a standard Redheads Matchbox (content 45 Safety Matches).

I did mine but only just in time! I had to do them twice!! The first time I used different colours which I discoverd didn't look good enough, not to me anyway. So I did them again and the red, black and white do look so much better.

"Clay energy" GULGONG

2010-04-18T19:06:00.003+10:00

Clay energy is the eighth in this series of clay events and promises to be as rewarding and stimulating as the previous seven have been. International artists from Finland, Hungary, Israel, Iceland, UK, USA, NZ as well as Australian artists will lead the workshop presentations. Participate in experimental raku and hands-on events.

Talks, demonstrations, exhibitions and special events will take place in the historic and friendly town of Gulgong, heart of the renowned Puggoon clay deposits - a town small and convenient enough to be intimate and at the same time becoming again the hub of the ceramic world. Janet Mansfield is the art director and will host a day at Morning View including exhibitions and participatory events.

So... I can't wait to go there, leaving Maleny on the 27th of April for this 5 day event.

These are my 2 entrees for The Australian Ceramic Association 2010 members’ exhibition.

which is called 340 grams.

Why 340 grams?

This is the weight of a normal issue of The Journal of Australian Ceramics. The challenge? Take 340 grams of wet clay and make a bowl or a sculpture.

The next 4 letters for AlaW.

2010-04-03T13:59:00.001+10:00

I used different clay, glazes and firings for these 4 letters for the AlaW project. Did some glass slumping for the letter Z.

The white glaze is a crawl glaze and the blue beady glaze was a happy accident, at least I think it looks somewhat different, and I will definitely use it again.

Happy accidents do happen when one experiments a lot with glazes.... and then there are the accidents that are a disaster! Were the glaze is to runny and just runs of the pots and makes a mess on the kiln shelves.
I'm sure I am not the only one that experiences this it's all part of the fun. Just get the angle grinder and try to get it of with not taking too much of the shelves, which doesn't always works as you can see.

year of the tiger 2010.

2010-03-27T18:51:00.001+10:00

Two giant digital origami tigers will playfully celebrate Chinese New Year of the Tiger on the forecourt of Sydney’s Customs House from 11 February – 14 March 2010. The  Chinese  or  Lunar New  Year  is  the  most  important  Chinese  holiday  and traditionally  starts  with  a  Lantern  Festival.  The giant digital origami tigers fuse ancient lantern making methods with cutting edge design and fabrication technology, bringing tradition and innovation, east and west together.

Each tiger is in the size of a truck at 2.5 metres high and 7 metres long at a weight of only 200kgs. they were made with sustainability in mind by using fully recyclable materials, aluminium and barrisol. The big cats will be brought to life with low energy LED lighting.

And I was lucky to still see them there last week (22-25march) very impressive especially at night .

THE SIGN OF THE TIGER
Courageous, active, and self-assured. Optimistic, passionate and independent. Rebellious, dynamic, and unpredictable. Quick tempered but considerate. Affectionate but careless. The Tiger is a natural born leader and symbolizes power, passion and daring.

People born in the Year of the Tiger are generally well liked because of their charming personalities. Often, failing at a given task or being unproductive in his personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a deep depression. Criticism from loved ones can also generate this type of Tiger reaction.

Tigers are fond of competitions. They simply cannot pass up a challenge. They may appear cool and are unpredictable, and it would be unwise to underestimate their reactions. Natural leaders, they have a strong sense of their own dignity. They are intelligent, alert, and farsighted. Good strategists and tacticians, they often have a hidden agenda. As long as they do not risk their luck too often, and keep their restless nature under control, they will enjoy success and happiness.

People born in the Year of the Tiger are straightforward and uninhibited in nature. They will never give up no matter how frustrated they may become. But, they are also full of suspicion and sometimes will take hasty action.

They must be aware of how they react to and are affected by the consequences of their tempers. They should take it a little easier and learn to pace themselves to keep active longer and to prevent early burnout. They are blessed with flexibility and often recover quickly from illness or pain.

Some people born in the Year of the Tiger are gentle and full of sympathy. They are kind, love babies and anything that arouses their imagination. Others can be stubborn and selfish. Generally speaking, people born in the Year of the Tiger are fond of playing, and full of enthusiasm and sentiment. Some are mercurial. They can laugh happily one moment, and cry the next. They will be optimistic, but at the next they will lose their heart totally.

People born in the Year of the Tiger take pride in being different than others, and generally illustrate their originality best in their homes. Their homes are usually filled with exotic treasures. They are fast learners, need challenge and often work alone. Some tend to change careers more often because they get bored easily. They are natural born leaders and perform best if working towards positions of power and influence. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be quite impulsive spenders because they know they can always make more.

It is interesting that their two main features are rashness and hesitation, a pair of contradictions. If they know how to relax and do things according to the situation, they can become quite successful.

matchbox.

2010-03-18T19:19:00.001+10:00

I need to make some small items that will fit into a matchbox; I did make the box as well although I can't use it for this project.

The little brooches fit nicely in it, just trying to think of some more ideas that are cute, different and unusual.

welcome break.

2010-03-13T18:32:00.002+10:00

A few days at Lady Elliot Island was a great break away from all the rain!

Sunshine every day, water temperature 28 degrees.

Watching turtles hatching at night.

Beachwalks every day.

Turtles, sharks, manta rays, stingrays and thousands of fish in the sea.

It was just magic.

and some beach art!

New stamps.

2010-02-26T19:03:00.000+10:00

I got some new alphabeth stamps and tried them out on my bowls.

And made some tags.

Not the only one!

2010-02-19T18:53:00.005+10:00

So I'm not the only one who likes rusty bits and pieces. I do know that Barry and Kim work a lot with it as well, but Rosella's???

I found this pale headed rosella checking out this rusty bit of iron, I'm sure it is checking it out to make a nest in it. I was there for quite a while and eventually left probably didn't think it was good enough.

My new coffee mug.

2010-02-04T17:17:00.002+10:00

I made some porcelain coffee mugs without handles and picked 1 out for myself I really like it and it sits perfect in my hand . So here is the rest of them as wel.

Then I made some more pendants trying different patters and colours.

And....still working with porcelain to get it nice and thin which worked quite well this time.

ALaW.

2010-01-25T19:30:00.001+10:00

I did the glaze firing and used a matt glaze. I only used two different glazes and ovelapt the glazes on some parts of the letters to create different colours.

As I said before I have to do 4 letters at the same time and for that reason I am not going to use the letters in alphabetical order and just mix them up so the end result will be a "patchwork quilt" of different clays and techniques.

keeping busy!

2010-01-14T17:22:00.001+10:00

Christmas and the start of a new year are gone, and other years it took me some time to get back into clay again. Not this years I'm overflowing with ideas witch is not always a good thing.

Too many thought going around in my head!!

I love working with porcelain at the moment so I’ll stick with that fore a wile.

This is what I have done so far not fired yet, in the green stage as they say. It will be a challenge to get the glazes on them as I intend to, I live in hope and see a bit later.

these will end up as brooches and pendants.

ALaW.

2010-01-13T20:00:00.000+10:00

A letter a week, a project started by Fiona Demster and friends, a challenge to write or make in any other way a letter a week, creating 52 letters, which must form 2 alphabets, by the end of 2010. They have few rules - any medium, any style - but the letters must be written on a 7cm x 7cm square.

So Fiona has kindly allowed me to join them.
Of course I will be using clay and decided to use a different clay every month. also I will try to use a different technique as well.Clay will take longer to finish therefore I will cheat a little and make my letters for the month in 1 go so they have time to dry, fire, glaze and fire again.
For January I have used stoneware clay, printed pattern and glaze them after they have been bisque fired.

woodford folk festival.

2009-12-31T19:30:00.001+10:00

I haven’t been to the Woodford folk festival sinds it has left Maleny and that was in 1994!

So yesterday I had the opportunity to go and it was good to see that not much has changed in al these years, it looked pretty much the same as in Maleny only MUCH, MUCH bigger and better, how is that possible I hear you think, well.... there is a lot more room of course (500 acres) more than 2000 performers and 580 events are programmed featuring local, national and international guests.

There is just more of everything. The atmosphere is the same, the crowd are the same just a great feeling to be back if only for just 1 day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-23T14:26:00.006+10:00

WARM CHRISTMAS WISHES FOR EVERYONE.
AND FOR 2010 LOTS OF LOVE, LUCK, HAPPINESS AND INSPIRATION.

MAY THE YEAR BE WONDERFULL FOR ALL.

A new approach.

2009-12-20T18:03:00.006+10:00

Finally done some new feather firings, this time with emu feathers they have beautiful long feathery, fluffy vanes and give a great image on the white clay.
I left it all black and white this time, a nice change from the toasty warm browns and oranges I did before.

available in Maleny artworks gallery.

The potter wasp.

2009-12-14T20:14:00.005+10:00

A potter of a different calibre, I been watching this wasp making his perfect pots and thinking he is a potter in his own right, trying to find out it wat sort of a wasp it is and find out it is the POTTER WASP!

And still ad it a couple of days later making more pots on top of each other.

I wonder how much longer this potter wil be building.

Mapping The Range

2009-12-06T19:17:00.009+10:00

Mapping The Range A coma exhibition in Maleny artworks gallery starting 12 December.

My entry: "DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE"

Yesterday,

Today,

Tomorrow.

MALENY,

what a wonderful place to live in, high up in the Blackall Range, it's a haven close to heaven.

1- YESTERDAY, we had just the rolling hills with beautiful trees.
2- TODAY, several new housing estates are under construction to serve the needs of new arrivals.

3-TOMORROW, Tourism and retirement retreats will certainly continue to be in great demand well into the future.

Population
In 1900 it was 550
In 2009 it is 6000
In 2100 ???

HOT, HOT, HOT....

2009-11-28T16:23:00.003+10:00

A very hot day today, a light storm in the afternoon and it really didn't cool it down a lot.

To hot to pot, clay drying to fast, just have to take it easy for a couple of days.

The making of ceramics.

2009-11-18T20:20:00.005+10:00

Many people don't realize just how many steps are involved with pottery and ceramics. I've always wondered just how many steps there are in making a pot, so here goes.
1- Purchase clay
2- Wedge clay for throwing
3- Throw pot on the wheel
4- Remove pot from wheel and allow to air dry
5- Trim foot of pot
6- Add handles or other
7- Allow pot to dry completely
8- Clean up rough edging marks or bumps
9- Load kiln for bisque firing
10- Bisque fire kiln
11- Unload kiln and rinse pots
12- Put wax resist on pots
13- Prepare glazes and glaze pots by dipping or brushing 3 coats
14- Load kiln again for glaze firing
15- Fire kiln
16- Patiently wait to unload kiln

Okay, there are approximately 16 steps in the basic creation of a pot. I did not include the methods of recycling clay, cleaning the wheel and equipment, the making of glazes, or the cleaning of the kiln and shelves. Then there are the additional steps of selling your wares either in shows or online, taking photos, writing listings, figuring out expenses and shipping costs etc. I suppose that with anything we do in life there are many steps involved. One of the many aspects of ceramics that I truly appreciate is how it encompasses earth, water, air, fire and metals. If I am not mistaken it is the only craft that encompasses all of those elements

sweet little pieces, wat to do with them???

New work

2009-11-14T19:38:00.004+10:00

I have to do 4 firings to get my work finished this week. One load done,

Next one in, I wanted to fire overnight but waking up and thinking is must be nearly finished no such luck the kiln is still cold, power switch has flipped and I have to start again!

Started this morning at 6 o'clock and that makes two.

Glazed the first load ready to be fired Monday, fingers crossed and hope it all turns out the way it supposed to.

Christmas is on its way.

2009-11-10T19:08:00.004+10:00

I have been making some photo's to use for Christmas cards, every year I make my own cards just because it is fun to do, they are individually, personal, and it will save me money in the process. So this year it is photo's, I am trying to keep it in one colour looks better I think.

there's chickens,.... and then there's chickens!

2009-11-06T18:35:00.006+10:00

Getting ready for the upcoming Christmas fair, making some more chickens, this time I call them bag-ladies, can U see the little handbags they are carrying? Still in the drying stage so no colour on them yet.

And then there are these cute little baby chickens, silkies so lots of feathers coming up and this is Wat they are going to look like.

I AM GETTING 3 HOORAY.

weeds!

2009-10-29T19:23:00.003+10:00

Even the weeds look nice! Well... that's wat I think anyway and there is lots of them and many different varieties as well. Hard to keep up getting rid of so best to enjoy the beauty!

workshop.

2009-10-23T19:16:00.004+10:00

I have been attending a workshop with Jim Robison over the last 2 days, something totally different from what I usually do very inspiring and nice to have picked up some different techniques as well.
He mainly works with clay slabs and build bigger things.

"the feather journey"

2009-10-20T19:11:00.005+10:00

From white pot to feathered beauty.

Another article I read and is very useful!

If you have any problems, it helps to know exactly what you've done with the product-that means keeping track of things like firing schedules, used pyrometric cones, samples of the unsuccessful work, the original container the material came in with the batch number etc.

Not something I always do and I believe we al are guilty of at some stage!!

these are for you Barry!

2009-10-17T18:02:00.002+10:00

A water tank with beautiful patina on it's outside.

I saw this tank at lake catarabah the salt air must have something to do with it.

It's not always as easy as it seems.

2009-10-11T14:03:00.004+10:00

All pottery products are based on raw materials occurring in nature and they are therefore ALL VARIABLE all of the time.
REMEMBER THERE IS NOTHING MORE CONSTANT THAN CHANGE.
The materials, the kiln, performance and the methods are always variable and something as simple as water quality or weather will change the performance of pottery products.

a bit of information.

2009-10-06T19:59:00.003+10:00

Pottery is 50% creativity and 50% science.

Understanding your pottery materials is essential

if you want to have control of them. This includes not only knowing their best characteristics and performance, but also their worst and most temperamental. Just like humans, every material(clay, glaze, colourant, raw material etc.) has its own character and will not be identical in performance to others. PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND.

Some information I found amongst my collected pieces of paper, and something I do understand now having worked with clay for some time, but never seen it this way before.

So yeah, it is a good idea to keep a technical diary or logbook to record experiments.

vessel.

2009-10-01T19:00:00.005+10:00

Maleny artworks is having a "vessel" competition going this month, this is my entree, "GROTTO"

A multi-fired piece to get the colours the way I wanted them, the base is 25x25 cm. The height is about 50 cm.

I had a sneak preview yesterday wen i dropped of my pieces, looks very impressive and lots of interesting vessels are on display worth a look if you are in or coming to Maleny this month.

And then a few more of mine.

2009-09-28T19:39:00.003+10:00

I had fun making these funny little teapots.

And now I am getting ready for my display in the Maleny Library, displaying in the two cabinets in the foyer.

One will be filled with my horsehair ceramics the other one will be a mixture of all other thing I do.

And here they are.

2009-09-25T19:22:00.009+10:00

Last night I went to the opening of the Maleny teapot and tea cosy competition, and what a

variety of weird and wonderful pots and cosies there was, I wouldn't have liked to be a judge but I totally agree with there decisions of the winners

Winner of the creative teapot made by Charlie Moore

"Aunt Edna comes to tea "

And I am very happy to get a Highly commended for my functional teapot

"Green Tea"

Some of the other teapots I liked:

FINE ARTS, TEAPOTS AND TEACOSIES.

2009-09-20T19:33:00.005+10:00

This coming week-end 25, 26 and 27 September the Fine Arts, Teapots and Tea cosy competition is on there will be funky teapots, fuzzy tea cosies and wonderful paintings on show.

Beautiful work by Shannon Garson.

Great artist are doing the judging, Shanon Garson will be judging the teapots,

and Loani Prior will judge the tea cosies.

One of Loani's funky tea cosies from her fantastic tea cosy book.

Woopy!

2009-09-13T15:21:00.003+10:00

The bowl survived and I'm pretty happy with the result. As predicted it came out greenish.
Have to make some more I think.

It survived in bisque!

2009-09-12T12:19:00.003+10:00

Well that was good, it survived the bisque up to firing 2 and hopefully we get trough that one save as well, I really like it so far, but you never know what the end result will be.

I love the way the colour comes out in the crevices but they will change to green after the glaze firing I think, its in the kiln now always an exciting surprise opening the kiln door and see how it all looks.

Trying something new again!

2009-09-08T19:12:00.003+10:00

I tried something different with this bowl, hand build in a mould with the foot thrown on the wheel later. Not fired yet, a bit of a challenge I hope it won't crack in the bisque, will it survive??

First rain for a while

2009-09-07T20:22:00.002+10:00

We have been lucky today with some heavy rain, it brings out the little green frogs straight away. They sit on the windows trying to catch the little insects that get attracted to the light.

result pit-fire!

2009-08-31T15:37:00.003+10:00

Here is the result from our pit-fire, as you can see some didn't survive!!
But others will look good after cleaning and polishing.

short snippets

And finally they are finished.

ON A ROLL AGAIN!

So much to do... So little time!!!

A Letter A Week- ALAW

A verry Happy Christmas to every one.

EARLY!

CULTURE 2 CULTURE

NEXT COMA EXIBITION.

New look kitchen.

ART AWARD.

SPRING...

ANOTHER KILN LOAD DONE!

LADIES DONE AND DUSTED!

LADIES IN WAITING.

Preserving.

Morrocan influence

ABC 2011.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

BACK IN TIME.

Last bits finishing.

MALENY ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR.

HAPPY EASTER!

NOT JUST RAKU.

LEFTOVERS.

After a few firings.

They are doing well!

PACKED TO THE RAFTERS.

RECYCLE.

ACCEPTED.

RAKU PIECES

Collagraph printing workshop.

GLAZE FIRING DONE!

3 NEW CHICKS!

GREENWARE.

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.

I JUST LOVE BRUSHES!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS

WERE IS THE SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas break-up.

ANOTHER T-POT!

T-bags.

FINALY...I'M BACK!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Take a rest!

MORE NAKED RAKU

BEES.

T POTS GALORE.

breakfast.

SPRING IS ON IT'S WAY.

NAKED RAKU.

FINALLY FINISHED.

BLUE CHOOKS.

THE GIRLS ARE COMING HOME...

black and white.

Easy cooking!

bower bird.

ALAWs first alphabet finished.

TEAPOTS.

Horsehair and Feathers.

The letters for May.

NATURE AT ITS BEST.

inspiring!

More for "Clay Energy" Gulgong

"Clay energy" GULGONG

The next 4 letters for AlaW.

year of the tiger 2010.

matchbox.

welcome break.

New stamps.

Not the only one!

My new coffee mug.

ALaW.

keeping busy!

ALaW.

woodford folk festival.

*******MERRY CHRISTMAS*******

A new approach.

The potter wasp.

MERRY CHRISTMAS