In The Studio

Here are some snapshots from the second half of September:
(Clockwise from the top)

Mineral bowls drying
Lithic vessels about to be fired in the kiln
Mineral bowls being glazed
Lithic vessels made for a Luce et Studio order
Mineral bowls in the making
Gazing from above onto the small Lithic vessels
A view from my Barcelona studio
A larger Lithic vessel posing on the table as I contemplate its form

In The Studio

 

I have been spending countless hours in the studio getting ready for my show at Luce Limited on August 3rd.  As I am taking a little tea break I wanted to post some images of work in progress.

In The Studio

In the coming few months I plan to focus on my Off Circle vessels again.  There is something about the organic shapes and thick lips that keep me coming back to these forms.  It has been a long time since I have sketched out my ideas.  I was having fun in the studio with my large pad, favorite pencil and a hot cup of tea.  It's nice to just sit back and sketch.  Trying out a form quickly on paper is much easier than building it in clay!

Lithic

Lithic is my new line of sculptural vessels.  It all began when I discovered this beautiful chocolaty clay.  Unlike my previous pieces I decided to work purely with handbuilding techniques.  I realized that off the wheel I could create more dramatic angles and severe curves.  Lithic is the result of an experiment with new clay and new techniques.  I can't wait to make more of them!  But, that will have to wait for just a few months, because I am now working on another new and exciting project!!

Fun with Clay

Last weekend I had a few friends and their adorable toddlers come to my studio for some fun with clay.  To the amazement of the parents these talented two year olds produced beautiful plates.  The plates are still drying in my studio and waiting for their turn in the kiln.  I can't wait to see the fired versions!

In The Studio

These are some snapshots from my studio today.

Currently I am working on a tableware set.  I have decided on the general shapes and I am now in the process of carving the actual models out of plaster.  Today I started working on a really small piece.  I had forgotten how tiring carving plaster can be.  I have achy wrists!   I need to do some wrist stretches.

In the Studio

Today was my first full day back in my Barcelona studio. I am working on expanding the visual vocabulary of my Off Circle vessels.  I have been experimenting with fully hand-building them, instead of throwing the pots on the wheel and then altering them.  I think with this change in method I am able to create pieces that have a stronger organic feel.  Each new piece seems to be getting closer to the image I have in my head.

It's great to be back!

New Studio

At last my studio is done and I can begin to create!! I have so many new ideas I don't know where to begin. I guess my first task is to find some clay.

If you are a ceramist from Barcelona please leave me a comment and let me know where I can get clay.

The last image is my amazing view of the RENFE tracks!

A New Take on The Off-Circle Vessel

I am working on a new project!

I have been wanting to widen the lips of my Off Circle vessels. After a few unsuccessful trials of trying to construct these wide lipped bowls with the same method I had previously used, I decided to rethink my concept and technique. I realized that I wanted to create pieces that gave the sense of weight and heft, but in actuality were very light. Producing my Off Circle vessel as a double-walled form was the conclusion that I came to. Creating a vessel with double walls will give me the heavy look and light feel that I am going for. It will also solve my problem with constructing a wide lip. Hopefully...

Above are some images of the interior and exterior walls that I carved. I will create molds from these clay volumes, into which I will press thin slabs of clay.

Beginning of a New Bowl

I have just begun working on a new line of slipcast forms. I thought it would be fun to document my design process from beginning to end. Above are images of where I have gotten so far.

First, I begin by sketching out my ideas. I make drawings on paper, as well as construct small clay models. When I have a general idea of the shape that I want, I pour a block of plaster. I make sure that this block has equivalent volume to the vessel that I have in mind . Once the plaster has set, I begin to carve it down. This part of the process always takes a long time. It is very labor intensive, but it is also the most exciting. Although I have a general idea of the bowl that I want to create, I allow myself the freedom to work from instinct. The outcome is always a bit of a surprise.

Stay tuned to see the final vessel...