I'm firing the first of 2 kilns today for a project that's going into the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art at the beginning of October. I should have taken a snapshot of the kiln after it was loaded - will have to take one to post on Monday when I unload.
Firing is always an exciting experience - filled with eager anticipation, and always a bit of dread. I do gas reduction firings and that basically means that the results are never 100% certain. (One of these days I'll do a post that explains a lot more about firings.) Also, because of the way that I build my sculptures - the tubes trap air and moisture - there is always a slight possibility that one of them won't survive.
Monday evening will tell the tale!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Wassi Art: Pottery Studio in Ocho Rios Jamaica
Last week my mother and I visited Wassi Art pottery studio located in Ocho Rios. We got a tour and talked at length with the artists about the process.
Local clay is dug from the Blue Mountains.
Wassi pottery brings the clay back to their manufacturing studio in Ocho Rios. There it is processed. First it is washed to remove impurities.
Then it is poured into canvas lined troughs.
Once it is firmer it is scooped out onto plaster to further dry. When it is still soft enough to work it is wedged so that all air is worked out.
The master potter makes all of the wheel thrown vessels.
Then the artists are passed the pots to alter, paint with slip and do sgraffito. Each pot is unique.
Once they are dry they are bisque fired to about 2000ºF.
Then they are dipped in clear glaze and fired again to 2000ºF.
Each unique piece has the signature of the artist.
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