Creature - Round & Curious

Inspired by some old pottery a friend shared with me from a stay in Costa Rica. 

 

Childhood exploring place - Art & Gardens

We used to explore and play all over the grounds of this place when we were kids. Dad associated with it at the time. Art and gardens.  This picture above is in a tiny (approx 7'x10' footprint) structure -- we used to call it the Candy Land house.  Took a picture through window on one side(it was closed...as it was when were kids!) -- those are glass bowls set into the far wall..such a fun take on stained glass windows. Went there today for Father's day to revisit with gratitude. 

Once a year they would hold a fair there...rides among the redwoods...including a Ferris Wheel and a Merry-go-Round.  I remember the Merry-go-Round operator fell asleep one time, and I got an extra long ride -- ponies were my favorite...a special treat. 

 

Mishima -- Stage 2

 

Bisque Fire. The engobe (deep blue) now fired into the cut lines 

Next steps: Glaze surfaces, fire. 

Steps prior:

Below, pre-fire, at leather hard stage, apply the engobe focusing on the cut  areas, allowing to seep into the grooves, and then reapplying until sure the slits are filled flush to main surface.

Then use care with a scrapping tool and a sponge, remove the excess engobe. I discovered how incompletely I did that when it emerged from the kiln with lots of splotches outside the cut lines (last image here). Cleaned that up fine grain sandpaper.  

After it came out of kiln...smudge lines to clean up with sandpaper (keep surface wet, wear a mask).

In Color...Ceramic Figures

 

A duo in color. Was thinking about reality and acceptance in general at the time of sketching a few months ago. How many things can I make to put outside?! Ha.