stonecyffer’s journal

Aah, color! On Tuesday, I started working with a couple hard-as-hell slabs and had worked myself up to a pretty good state of frustration when J said, “I want to walk some of you through glazing tonight.” Hallelujah!

I picked a few colors I liked: a matt black/gunmetal, and a blue/green that was, I believe, dark turquoise. We mixed our first glazes, and prepped our pieces by rinsing them off and brushing wax on the bottom. I was excited to get started on the ribbon coiled vessel. I wanted it clear on the inside, so I dipped it in clear gloss first, then poured gunmetal over it. I then went in with a sponge and wiped the glaze off the ribbons. I gobbed up the sides later trying to wipe up the bottom of it, but J fixed it for me.

I took the large kidney coiled piece and dipped it in the dark turquoise. As it dried, the surface of the glaze cracked. Unfortunately, J said, some of the glazes are of unknown origin and are kind of goopy, and won’t fire well. He advised I rinse it off and try a different glaze later.

My little slab candle-holder with the different textures (scales, short feathers & tail feathers) was bisque fired and ready for glazing, so I dipped it in matt blue-green, which had just been freshly strained by another student.

On Thursday, I knew I’d have to leave early to go to dinner with the department, so I got in to the lab early. I decided to throw a pot, and I did two, successfully! I think the key is having someone else to chat with occasionally for a distraction. When I’m by myself, concentrating all my attention on the wheel, it never goes well. This time another couple of students were around and everything went smoothly.

I also got out my slabs again and scored & slipped together a napkin holder. I wanted to decorate the surface, but the two smaller slabs were too firm. J advised that I spray it with water a few times and it will soften the surface a bit so decoration can be applied. Our visiting artist, Najjar Abdul-Mussawir, was having a reception in the art building so the class wandered down for some treats and art.

I went in this evening and finished glazing the rest of my pieces. The little octagonal tea bowl and small pot, I did half matt black and have glossy black. The mow chow bowl I did in matt black, glossy black, with some blue/green matt inside. The altar-tree piece I dipped in matt black on the back and inside, and painted with blue/green matt on the front. I now have 6 pieces glazed and ready to be fired.