Cute Ceramic Wall Hangings And Shows for 2022-2023 Season

 Just a few of the many wall hangings that will be available for the 2022/23 show season!

Most of the early shows were canceled due to the hurricane Ion.  Though I did start showing closer to home at the Promenade.  I was present for every show That Richard of Boulderbrook put on at that site.  I hope to be at all of his shows this year as well.  Boulderbrook Art Show Dates

Crystals for pots- Testing

Crystals in glazing can be difficult, which is why I have avoided adding to my list of sale items.   But now after taking glaze courses from CMW.  I feel very confident about putting the glaze on pots.  This crystal test came out of the kiln today and I'm quite pleased.  The sharper snow flake crystals are my favorite style.  I have some of the test tiles in a vinegar bath now to see how much sharper and stunning the crystals will look when etched. 

Everyone Loves Dolphins!

 

These little sculptures have been fun to make and are just adorable on the wall.  You just have to smile.

Ceramic Wall Art With Dolphins

   I have quite a few wall hangings made of tropical fish.  The one animal I really wanted to put on a wall was a dolphin.  So here are the dolphins.. and I did get a bit off track cause I made quite a few trigger fish too!
   There is a quarter in the photo that shows just how big these are... A real nice size for accents.

Ceramic Decals Created From Scratch

   
  Exploring the ceramic decal. Not all glazes like the iron oxide, but I'm finding that a glaze higher in calcium carb seems to help the iron from burning out at higher temperatures. The plate was fired at ^04 and the decal still is very dark and I think I could fire to ^4 or ^6 and not loose to much the decals coloring.  Testing that premise soon.
  The printer is set to put the toner on heavily. Also the paper setting is for the thickest paper. The thick paper setting slows the printer and allows more toner to be applied to the paper.       I have a use in mind for the RIO decals.  I have been painting with underglaze on the clay and plan to fire the decals over the painting to get the gradations and darker areas. 

 The paper I use doesn't have a covercoat for the waterslide.  I actually add the covercoat to the printed paper by using a silkscreen. The covercoat is what makes the waterslide work.
   
   The decals will be placed over the underglaze painting giving the painting added depth.

Sea Turtle Underglaze Painting

 

A 12" plate where the painting is done with an underglaze.  Finally starting to get the feel of painting on the clay.  I have been trying to get the piece to have the feeling of an oil painting.  It is much harder than what I thought it would be.

Whale of An Underglaze

 

After missing two show seasons due to covid I'm gearing up to get back to shows and hope to have many 'clay paintings available.'

  Since I've had time to play in the clay and explore underglazes I hope to be able to soon be able to give the paintings the look feel of oils.  The process is nothing like what I do with oils on canvas, but I'm getting comfortable with how to blend and using strokes.  Mush more of a challenge.  

Final Glaze Tests... Finally!

 Last of the tests for these three glazes.  Yup.. going to put the glazes into production.  Now on to the other glazes I've been developing.  While I'm happy to just have blues and green teals.. Though some of my customers like other colors too.. Hmm why I don't k now.. 😇😇  But onto the reds and yellows. 

The Paradox of Choice- Yes, it does exist.

   Its a new year...  And hoping it will be a good new year for all.  

   My resolution... I'm going to glaze all the bisque in the studio this month.  I will pick at least 6 glazes from the hundreds of lovely glazes I have made and tested. I will add them to my studio glaze buckets.

Sounds easy, right? Hahaha, no!

Enter in "The Paradox of Choice":
     To pick only certain glazes from a host of really nice glazes creates indecision.  Indecision creates a mental tension and leads to an inability to chose.  The brain keeps one sane by avoiding the act of choosing a glaze to use.  Which leads to just not doing anything in regards to glazing.

So Now I must pick.

Choices.. Choices.. and pictured is only a tiny, tiny, sample of all the lovely glazes.
Yeah.. I'm in trouble already..