Mortars

We have been crushing our peppercorn in a metal bowl with a smooth finish, using a wooden pestle, for months now. It's about time I make a mortar... I would also like to form a pestle out of clay, but am trying to figure out how I could glaze all but the rounded tip. My idea is a hole in the handle (where a strip of leather could be strung through after firing) and for it to be hung on what ceramic bead makers use (a bead tree?). Here are the mortars thus far:

The other week, a poor 'ol wren flew into our back room where the hot water heater sits. She finally had enough of my picture taking and flew back outside.

Painting

When I paint a bird with black underglaze, I wait until the surface of the clay is not sticky to the touch and leather hard. I first sketch out the form with a pencil on the clay body while looking at a photograph for reference. Then, I use a small brush to paint the dark areas. A brush made out of a deer tail is used to shape the branches. Finally, I use a sharp metal tip (also used to draw on zinc plates for etchings) to carve out details and texture.

I have yet to see a glazed and fired product of these birds I've been meticulously painting. I hope they turn out nice!

Tools

This is my work corner where I throw ceramic pieces. We've weighed down a scrap piece of linoleum on the carpet floor and stapled another piece to the wall. I think when it gets warmer, I'll move back out to the walled in porch area where the kiln also sits. I moved inside for the winter because the water in the clay was freezing up.

Approaching spring

It seems spring is arriving quickly this year. I heard frogs croaking in a swamp and daffodils are peaking out of the dirt in our yard. We are discussing plans for early spring crops. Garlic and onions have already been planted (garlic was planted in November and onions, last weekend) in our garden beds that we commute to. We will plant some other low maintenance crops like potatoes and buckwheat there this upcoming weekend. The cilantro had already returned, the cold temperatures made the leaves extra sweet and delicious. 

I met up with the Mud Slingers Pottery Studio group at the new studio spot yesterday evening. It is a store front space right next to the Chocolatier Barrucand Shop on Union Street in downtown Concord. Everyone's really excited about the change. 

I'm still trying to balance science, clay, and everything else. Here are pictures of some recent clay projects of mine.

Covered by a blanket of clouds

Making meaning

I gave the little living room clay corner some of the attention it needed today. Studying for my first geology exam has been time consuming this week, and clay has been moved to the back burner. I have been reading about "making meaning" and the nature of science for my education course as well. The readings encourage me to be purposeful in my life.

When throwing on the wheel, I feel a better sense of meaning when I imagine how the piece might be used, handled, and maybe even loved. I think that the product has a higher chance of claiming this role if it is planned. This path is challenging, but I think that the process will be more rewarding and I will continue to try at it.

Below are some pictures associated with my grandmothers. I feel like as we get older, we have a better grasp about what is meaningful. From what I remember, maybe they did. 

A wooden heart that maybe my granddad Wint cut and my grandma Mary painted.

A drawing I have yet to finish of my grandma, Obachan, on my mom's side.  

A dish for a handsome dog

Fender will soon have a new dog dish. I thought a skull and cross bones was appropriate considering how much he likes gnawing on the bones scattered throughout our house. Currently Dewey has a dish with a beetle painting, but she may be due for a fresh new dish as well. 

I like carving on the painted or dipped slip surface. I feel more comfortable carving than painting because the action resembles drawing on paper. 

Fender, who will be one year old mid February.