Testing
I’ve started to think about how I can replicate some of the colours and textures that I have found evocative from memories of visiting the Swale as a kid. Taking a trip to the Swale recently has given me a bit more confidence in the sorts of textures and colours that I would like to explore further. The primary research, experimenting with the left over paint that was being used to paint my dad’s boat has helped quite a bit. During this trip, I managed to collect a few material samples, primarily Swale clay and the remnants of Charcoal scattered in the mud from old shipwrecks.
https://digitalfire.com/4sight/glossary/glossary_wood_ash_glaze.html
I’ve started the process soaking and drying out the wood pieces. Once these pieces are really dry, I’ll be able to start breaking them down into smaller ash dust. I’ve read that this can be dangerous so will speak to Paul to see what he recommends and how he recommends that I go about this. I’ll experiment with this recipe and add iron accordingly to try to achieve this yellow colour.
Whilst I was in the studio, I also went about mixing glazes that I’m interested in using. For texture I’d like to see if I can replicate some of the rough concrete textures that I’ve seen whilst walking along the Swale. I think this is a volcanic rock, it’s light to hold. I’d be interested in finding out a bit more about this by talking to geologists who are interested in this geographical area.
I've also mixes a Moss green glaze recipe and Strontium Crystal Magic which I’d be interested to see what they do once mixed together. I got these recipes from the book Amazing Glazes by Gabriel Kline.
I’m keen to experience with the material found and incorporate it into my pots somehow. Having already begun incorporating this found material in the throwing process, I was now keen to see how this same material can be used in glazing. I’ve therefore cleaned and dried out the charcoal pieces ready to grind down for putting into glazes. I’m interested in the colour yellow as seen on this moss growing from the burnt wreck
Ignius rock or Clinker?
A few glaze tiles had also come out from the kiln from firing the previous week. This was part of our induction into glazing. We mixed two glaze recipes, a Bronze Gold Recipe and a Black glaze recipe. This is how they turned out. I particularly like the Bronze over Black which is the second example from the left- it’s bronze metallic sheen is very similar to the propeller underneath the bottom of my dad’s boat. This has got me thinking about what if I were to consider the colours/ textures that we’re not meant to see. What if the world was turned upside down and how can I replicate this concept into my pots?