Poof'n Out!: cobalt

Tests and Practice

Tests and Practice

Testing the imari gosu a bit more before I start cranking out the work... I should be getting in my frost cone 6 clay in soon. I ordered 150...

The Clay Studio: Blue & White Workshop

Today I had the privileged of taking the Blue and White workshop at The Clay Studio. We had several demos today. Throwing large vessels, throwing off the hump, and using cobalt pigment to create designs on bisque ware. Instructing today was Seigoh Maeda, Makoto Saeda, and Kunio Watanabe.<br />
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The workshop started with a breif introduction and then moved into demos. I watched the Kunio Wanatabe throwing off the hump demo. He only used two tools, one of which was a simple rib tool he had made and the other was a more complicated "dragonfly" tool. The dragonfly measures the depth and width of the intorior of a pot. He used the rib to form and compress the interior of the cups.<br />
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He threw left handed (with the wheel going clockwise) as is standard in Japan, but was still a little nervous about using new clay, on a new wheel, and in front of a couple dozen people. He was throwing a lot wetter than I would, and he even commented on how difficult it was getting to work with, but I think that is because he was using a new clay body( 257 at The Clay Studio is a weird one).</div>
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We then moved on into the hand-building room where Makoto Saeda demonstrated decorating using the cobalt pigment as a decorative under glaze. </div>
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<li>He started by drawing a simple design on the plate in pencil. He then used a paper towel to wipe off some of the excess graphite so it doesn't create a resist for the lines he were about to draw. </li>
<li>He took a small sumi ink brush and created outlines and descriptive marks on the form he was drawing. He then took the mechanical pencil and drew lines around the shapes where he wanted colors. This created a resist barrier that would stop the water and cobalt pigment from running over the edges.</li>
<li>Taking a large brush, he soaked it in the the cobalt solution, and then the tip into some water. This would allow him to create a gradient, by painting with the water and then slowly squeezing the cobalt pigment out of the brush. He moved from Dark to Light pigments, saying it allowed him to visualize the final product more easily.</li>
<li>Going back into the drawing with a razor, a pin/needle tool, and even an eraser allowed him to bring out some highlights.</li>
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He worked really smoothly, but admitted he still considers himself a student. He created a beautiful drawing of fruits and leaves (some sort of Japanese mango). I ended up creating a portrait of sorts using the techniques he showed. I was happy wit how much I finished in the hour and a half we had to work. I'm hoping to purchase a smaller sumi ink brush so I can be more detailed. I need to practice much more before I can start on the Golden series.</div>
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The Clay Studio: Blue & White Workshop

Today I had the privileged of taking the Blue and White workshop at The Clay Studio. We had several demos today. Throwing large vessels, thr...

The Visions: TXT MSG BU (Text Message Breakup)

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More from my proposal for the artist in residency program at Seto. This set is for I Can See the Future. Here his visions are of text messages haha. He sees an impending breakup, which brings him to tears and bring his vision in to the puddle of his golden tears.This set is on plates, and has a design that runs with the form. The tears run off the figure and collect along the floor of the plate. At first glance it appears like a simple design but I think mixing the cobalt and the cold luster designs will be tricky.

The Visions: TXT MSG BU (Text Message Breakup)

More from my proposal for the artist in residency program at Seto. This set is for I Can See the Future. Here his visions are of text mess...

The Gift of Love (Creation of a Golden Heart) : Seto Proposal

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Here is more work towards the Seto Artist and Residence program. I am applying with two sets of work, the three figurative and then 3 sets of three decorative Seto-ware inspired tumblers. Here is the first of three sets, <i>The Gift of Love ( Creation of a Golden Heart)</i>, about the creation of one of the figures. The 2nd set i'm thinking will revolve around the<i> I See the Future</i> and his visions. I'll probably start those tonight and post those tomorrow.

The Gift of Love (Creation of a Golden Heart) : Seto Proposal

Here is more work towards the Seto Artist and Residence program. I am applying with two sets of work, the three figurative and then 3 sets...

I have a heart of Gold, Proposal Part 3

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This is the final of the 3 figurative proposals I have been working on. I have another 3 sets of illustrations for thrown work. I'll probably hit those up tomorrow. Beddies. Posting the work in progress helps show how much work really goes into applying for these residencies. Trying not to get my hopes up though, as everyone they have accepted has been over 40 in the last few years... and most have an MFA... I'm just going to turn my swag meter on high and submit anyway.

I have a heart of Gold, Proposal Part 3

This is the final of the 3 figurative proposals I have been working on. I have another 3 sets of illustrations for thrown work. I'll p...

I Can See the Future, 2nd Proposal

This is my second in the string of proposals I'll be submitting for the Seto Artist in Residency Program. This is Part of a series, al...

I've Got the Golden Touch: Seto Residency Application

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I'm putting together proposals and drawings for new work as part of my application for the Seto International Art Exchange - Artist in Residence Program. I looks like a great program and Seto, Japan, has over 1300 years of history making Ceramics. I'm really excited about the possibility of traveling abroad again, as it provides me with crucial inspiration for my work. Here is the first of my proposals for some of the work I want to make.  a description is typed onto the image.

I've Got the Golden Touch: Seto Residency Application

I'm putting together proposals and drawings for new work as part of my application for the Seto International Art Exchange - Artist in...