Vessels

Lately I have been making cylinders to hold pencils, toothbrushes, paintbrushes, flowers etc etc...in fact just about everything. Much like the candlesticks, the decoration involves drawing onto the surface. With the candlesticks the design is painted on. With the vessels the design is scratched into the surface with an old dentists tool. It makes for fantastic texture but is unforgiving if you are not sure of hand! It is tricky to photograph a round object.  The words say 'Koru' and 'Aroha'.  I like the idea of the history of primitive vessels and the part they have played in social interaction throughout human existence. Deep.

Postscript-These two have sold at Kina. 

Candlesticks

Going one step further with the idea of using 'doodles' from old diaries and sketchbooks to decorate a surface. I have also made some brightly coloured ones but do not know if the idea works so well with the use of colour. I have been using one of these at home and it throws out a lovely light at night.

Puppy dog.

A puppy dog. I really enjoyed working with the big ears! The Keanes Raku is still causing issues with the clear glaze over top during firing. Will resolve next firing.  But I am feeling much happier with how the puppy feet are going during construction and firing. Small things amuse small minds!

Post script- Sold at Kina.

Virtual Tarts @home

Dale Copeland (who I admire SO much) has just made a book about the artists who feature on her virtual tart web site.  There are about 50 Taranaki artists on the site and the book is a visual delight.   I am so proud to be a part of it. Recently she had a party at her place at Puniho.  Great fun.  This photo came from the party and has one of my favourite artists in the front left.  Alby Carter...you rock!

Tonight we have just got back from driving to Elam art school in Auckland. We drove up yesterday and back tonight.  Knackered. 5 to 6 hours each way.  Then a whole day at the varsity today before driving back.  My eldest daughter wants to go to art school next year.  We drove up for the open day. Long drive....Have I mentioned how knackered we are tonight? She so much wants to go to Elam and I know how talented she is.  She so deserves it. BUT there are 400 applicants and 120 places. Hmm. AND they seem to only look at the 12 portfolio photos of their work not their academic stuff as well. It is doing my head in tonight as I so want her to be able to do what she wants. Best go to bed now...tiredness makes for crazy thoughts!

Doggy bookends.

What a learning curve this little chappy was! The big discovery was that slabs 'warp' during firing and that next time I would have the front feet separate from the slab part...more stand alone from the body....to provide more support. Despite this, I am still using the 'doggy ends' to support my sketchbooks in the studio and they are working well. I am looking forward to making more soon.

French bull dog

I am really happy with the last lot of dogs that came out of the kiln. I am not so happy about how the underglaze and clear glaze went over the Keane Raku clay.  A bit gritty and some serious explosions in the kiln! All part of the learning curve?