Inspiring Path

Via Pinterest

Some lovely shapes in this path. 

This would be a good way to develop my garden path, 

adding to my ceramic "stepping stones".

On the look out for (more) interesting junk to bring home : ) 

Watts Chapel

I was amazed when I first saw photographs of this place, in a magazine a few years ago. I was even more impressed when I read of how it had been hand built by locals,

 under the direction of Mary Watts.

I had opportunity to visit, en route to the south coast, last weekend. These are my photographs but with poor weather and light - there are many far better here and other places on the net.

The interior decoration has been created using gesso and an array of materials to form the relief,

 including felt, chicken wire and rope.

I love how the colours reflect light and glow through the darkness.

The whole place is full of symbolism.

I liked best of all the red brick exterior but here I have to rely on others' photographs.

 The chapel was built using clay dug from Mary Watts' garden.

 After the completion of the chapel, in the early nineteen hundreds, she held pottery and clay modelling classes for locals. Those students became professional, forming the Compton Potters' Art Guild and then Compton Pottery, which continued until 1956. 

 Each angel face is individual.

Exterior images from Peter Cook on flickr

Sue Roddis and Gothic Bohemian Stock.

 

New Project

William De Morgan

 I have long been an admirer of late 19th century Arts and Crafts artists and designers such as William Morris and William De Morgan. The ceramics of this era utilised such beautiful coloured transparent glazes and underglaze decoration but De Morgan's red lustre ware is particularly special.

 In his animal tiles I can see influences from medieval tiles, stained glass and carved decoration.

Sometimes he depicts fables or folklore. 

 De Morgan was also heavily inspired by Islamic designs. He used Islamic motifs but he also incorporated the feel of Islamic decoration into his own designs with swirling foliage. Ornament fills every space and the diagonal aids flow in repeating tiles.

 I have a ceramic project in mind and I will use William De Morgan as inspiration.

My ceramics will be for the garden. I particularly love the animals but prefer to concentrate on native creatures, the sort that might be spotted on walks.

I'd better get drawing then.



Woodland Creature

My zodiac sign - Capricorn - suggests that I am a lover of rocky heights.

 There have been many a time I've enjoyed being above the clouds after a steep climb,

 however ...

lush green

 deep shadows

 dappled light 

 damp, mossy banks

 and the sounds, smells and secret life of woodlands is where I feel most at home.



New Tools

Playing around with bits out of the tool box

and

the toy box.

Soak up the Sun!

Today was the first for weeks that I've been at home without rain. I was able to investigate the garden and discovered plenty has been happening. Whilst it poured on and on I busied myself with other things - chores indoors. I've missed the outdoors but I can see that, for my garden at least, the rain has been beneficial. 

Now we're all greatful for some sunshine - its free!

Want what you've got.



This is Mishima

A wobbly porcelain pinch pot with a ridiculously small foot. I carved decoration into the surface when it was dry, then bisque fired it. I then painted black vitreous slip on and cleaned it back until only the carving was stained. I made this pot and later found out about the Japanese term "Mishima".

And then this little one I did the same way. The drawing looks a little like a cave painting. Although I like the contrasting black glaze on the outside, that rim was so difficult and remains messy. 

Now look how the professionals do it........

I think Priscilla Mouritzen does her great insect decoration in one firing, then a glaze inside.

She is "The Tops", as far as I'm concerned, for porcelain pinch pots.  

Beautiful detail and just a touch of subtle colour by Molly Hatch.

A variation - I pressed tools into red clay to "draw" the fish features then covered it all in white slip. When it was dry I scraped back the white slip just enough to pick out the features and textures.

Next, more experiments pressing lino into the clay.



Sue Paraskeva

Sue Paraskeva // Artist profile from Jamie Isbell on Vimeo.


sculpture

sculpture, a photo by Rover's Eye on Flickr.

Some beautiful photographs of great sculpture from Flikr.

Resolutions

Rather than a single New Year's Resolution I am more likely to compile a list and then soon afterwards feel swamped. This year I was inspired by Lesley and this video

29 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE from TO-FU on Vimeo.

For a get together this weekend I made little parcels

for each guest to choose their own at random

- and of their own free will.

This was the one I picked out, with eyes shut.

Illustrated with detail from a Peter Blake collage.

Now Lesley is taking her resolutions one week at a time here.

I love her little boxes.

Sounds like a much better way to manage a list - one step at a time. 



Three Hundred and Sixty Five

 This beautiful book has been with me for 4 or 5 years now.

It's spine is distorted from lying open all the time. It takes time for it to adjust to me returning to the front pages again.

 

 Challenging and inspiring reminders for each day.

 I read and turn the pages when I remember. Some I've rarely seen - hectic times.

One of the ways I try to stay with the big picture. 

Mary Wondrausch Inspired

After watching this TV programme and seeing this potter I wanted to have a go at slip decoration myself.
I had done a few experiments when I first started at the college but the clear glaze was disappointing.
 Here I used a honey glaze which makes the white slip yellow and gives the red clay a lovely richness.

Mary Wondrausch gives the impression that slip trailing is easy but I found it really difficult. I enjoyed it though, as I like drawing. I shall do more. Also I'm very pleased that these are 3D and functional pots (though you wouldn't want to drop one on your toe).

 I am making progress.



Mostly Prints

Mostly Prints, a photo by Rover's Eye on Flickr.

Some of my favourite prints from Flickr

mostly ceramics

mostly ceramics, a photo by Rover's Eye on Flickr.

a few of my favourite things from flickr.