Jumbo Gingers -- 2023 .. year #14

The kids jumbo gingerbread cookies -- even as teens they humor their Auntie. We have one that touched the sun, and has some of the galaxy on it -- including Saturn and the Milky Way. Then, we have the ginger that had a wounded leg (Auntie pan transfer issue), with it getting taken to extreme with additional decorated injuries, and a cane for support...not a candy one. 

 

Altered forms - Ceramics

Working on concept of similar forms, aligned, and altered. 

Various clay bodies, all initially thrown on the potter's wheel.  

 

Goblet -- bigger than an elephant

 Large goblet for notable achievements. Bigger than an elephant.

Same Mountain - 3 different hikes

 

                         

Took a hike  each day, three days in a row -- two different towns in the county, all miles apart. Yes,  being a relatively tall mountain in the area helps. As does the weather. Refreshing geographical marker with each view. 

Cooper's Hawk, Band Tailed Pigeon

 

I was walking around a local reservoir, and a Cooper's Hawk scooted from one tree to another along my route. Thought was that he/she might have prey, as wasn't flying away.  Just a minute or so later on the trail, all the sudden I hear noises -- branches snapping-- and -- BAM -- inches from me, this band tailed pigeon falls from above. Since I had just washed my hair, I was very grateful for the inches. (Yes, that is a joke, even if I was a dirt ball, I wouldn't want the headless bird to fall on me). Have witnesses -- it was inches. Feather fluff flying. 

Black Mountain bowl and balls

 

Used Black Mountain clay for the first time in my memory. Wanted the contrast with white family glaze. I had thrown a simple bowl to hold my test tiles (balls).  Had planned 8 balls, but ran out of class time. Found that my hand was big for the ball shape, could have done it on hump, but was trying to regulate my shape, so keep the amount of clay the same by measuring prior....the hump might have given me too much flexibility, giving my balls too much freedom to come out same ballpark shape. I think there is pun potential there, but enough close calls. :) 

Balls of Clay, Mock up of building in clay

Tried a clay body new to me. The balls are pseudo glaze test tiles - was trying to see if I could get consistent size. My hand is definitely larger than the balls here, so a little tricky on shaping on wheel. 

Below is quick mock up of the Marin Civic Center. Did it in honor of the contiguous curve, and various related shapes.   I ran out of time on the roof and endcaps of the roof on long building. Smashed it. May go back and do it again, but when have time to have element dry enough for proper placement and carving/cutting of windows, roof design, etc.