Testing glazes

My collection of Maco Stroke N Coat and Designer Liner...I keep the little jars upside down because chemicals accumulate on the bottom with gravity, so now when I shake them up, whatever is closest to the top is actually the most potent part of the glaze, (and if I've let them sit for about a month without using, they still can dry out, but are responsive to reconstituting with water.)    I also have the whole bunch in a carrying bag because sometimes I work at home, sometimes at the Black Mountain Center of the Arts community clay studio.

These are waiting for glazing.  The first test I did came out pretty awful.  Yes, 2 of these vases went directly into trash.  I'm glad I waited the week it takes for a turn around of the glaze kiln.  Now the others will have a better chance.  There are a lot of students in classes, as well independent studies students (like myself) who have several pieces in each kiln that is fired, so we all wait our turn.

Community studios have their pluses and minuses.  I keep being  patient with the things that aren't the pluses.

Today's quote (which reminds me of the recent kitchen gatherings prior to the feast of Thanksgiving.  Not to mention those wonderful courageous women who took part in the Women's March last January!)

There was a time where women stood together in a bond of sisterhood, women supporting women.

 

Geraniums

All winter long, my potted geraniums have sat in a south facing window, and blessed the grey view of mountains with their bright blossoms.  The petals have fallen on the sill and the floor, but I lovingly picked them up in gratitude for their cheerfulness in my life.  Yesterday I finally placed them on balcony railing for the gentle rain last night.

So I decided (don't know the day, but it was a definite decision) to try to put them on my pottery.  It's an ongoing process to see which techniques I like best.  Should I try to capture each little petal in the cluster?  I think not.  The pow of the color says what I want.  Details might just be the thing for another person, but not me.

Linear work done with Mayco's Designer Liners, colors with Mayco's Stroke & Coat.  A thin layer of Matt Clear over all the colored parts, then waxed, then dipped into Satin White.

Moon dancer plate

I tried slip trailing onto leather hard clay, and the slip trailer kept getting clogged up with clay.  I guess I've gotten used to a technique that works on bisque-ware.  I do love Mayco Stroke n' Coat glazes for the detail work, but it's a pain to put 3 coats on of each color.  I probably will limit the amount of color I apply...at least the Stroke n' Coat colors.