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| Impression vase - Birch Tree |
I’ve
been working on a new range of vases which I’ve called ‘Impression’ vases. The
idea is quiet simple really – throw a vase shape and use objects to make
impressions and marks in the clay while it’s still soft. These marks are then
picked out and made a feature of in the design by using a combination of oxides
and glazes brushed over the surface. So today I thought I’d show
some photos of one particular vase during making.
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| Using a pebble to make marks |
As
you can see, I’ve the placed the vase upside-down on a wooden bat. The vase was
thrown the day before this photo and the base lightly turned next day - so the
clay is still quite wet. The wooden bat is resting on the wheelhead which I’m
using as a banding wheel so I can see all around. And why is it upside-down?
Well for some reason it’s easier to see what’s going on! I started making marks
at the base of the pot and worked ‘down’ to the rim. This avoids the dangers of
marks feeling ‘cramped’ at the base by running out of space and instead allows
them to grow naturally ‘up’ the pot. And I’ve used a small beach pebble I’ve
had for years. It’s always nice to use natural objects when making.
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| Oxide detail |
I
got the idea for this design back in November last year. I was doing a show at
Quarr Abbey and in a coffee break I took some photos of the gardens and
textures I found in the grounds (see post). The bark on a birch tree was
particularly lovely and immediately suggested the idea to me. Of course the
markings on birch bark are ‘raised’ rather than indented and the colours are
much more subtle than I’ve used here: but I really like the results from this
first vase and think I’d like to repeat the motif again on another piece. In
the same making session I also decorated more vases using different
impressions and marks, but using the same oxides and glazes. I’ve added two of
these vases to my Etsy shop so far and will add more soon.
Anyway,
I hope you enjoyed the photos!
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| Inside vase showing indents |
