Monday, July 26, 2010

Peach Painting

Melanie Magee is a local painter who visits Helena's market days regularly. She recently purchased one of my bowls and used it in a painting. Check it out here.

The Plate

I have been working on a large plate for my SIL to go on top of her entertainment center. Her living room is two stories and she wanted a very large plate to go in the space. My first attempts were disastrous. Rolling out such a large piece of clay with a rolling pin proved fatal as the plate ended up in pieces as it cracked while air drying.



I made a bat. I had to remove the splash pan and stand to throw. It was HARD to do. I had no leverage as I usually use my hip to anchor my elbow while centering. But after lots of diligence and a sprained finger, I made it.



I added some texture using bits of hardware like screw heads
and sheet rock sand paper.





Hopefully it will make it through the bisque firing. I am worried about air bubbles.
I don't believe I will throw anything this large again. However, I have all kinds of ideas for textured plates. I am now on the search for an object to make a mold from. Something with a smooth bottom and a lip of an inch at least with a diameter of around 26 inches would be the optimum thing. Any ideas?