Happiest Day of the week

Studio day is the best day of the week. I have ideas built up through out weekdays and can't wait to get my hands dirty on weekend. I'm so hooked on clay if there is such a thing. These are bisque fired works I have done weeks before, sitting there waiting to be glazed. I probably won't have time to glaze them for another 2 weeks.

Crackle comes with age

This piece was done almost 2 years back when I just started learning about ceramics. Yea of course I'm still learning. The clear glaze I used has a crackle effect which only becomes apparent when the cracks pick up pigment from food over time. It is in fact quite nice. I do love it.

This is what a Dream is like

I wouldn't be able to describe to you what my dream is like but I can show you.  This video of potter Ryota Aoki said it all and a lot more.

Slip, no slipping this time

I put in close to 6 hours at the studio today. Time flies when my hands are on clay. Accomplished tons of stuff. Made my own porcelain slip for the first time. It was a true work-out. Strong arms are in the making. Very thick consistency. It looks and feels like some delicious whip cream.  All white and creamy. Come to think of it.  I applied it on the stoneware body very much like putting cream on a cake.

Here is what I have done today. Pictures shown below are in exact order of things.

Making porcelain slip with dried porcelain powder ( reuse from previously failed works) = arm work....

Nice and thick 

Next trimming of plate made last week. Since I've left quite a bit of clay for the tall foot, it gives me room to play around with some design.  Wouldn't think of much, so I did this. 

Coated 2 freshly thrown stoneware bowls ( one medium and one large) with my self-made porcelain slip.  I even like all the marks and texture.  And I think I know how to make it all smooth and nice next time. 

This bowl got turned into a "tear-shape" because it didn't turn out perfectly round like I wanted it to be. So to go with the flow, I made it into this.  There is something about "tear-shape" and me lately.  But just when I was putting it down on the board to dry, my hand touched its side. So it becomes an interesting triangle. That's life and that's ceramics. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to feel right at that moment in time. 

 And here is my hand after a day's work with sandy clay........

No failure is gonna stop me

Third time is hopefully the charm.  After 2 pervious failures, I am preparing myself mentally to give it another try. Ceramic has taught me to accept failure gracefully. And sometimes mishap happens but it leads to wonderful result.

Did a bit of searching last night. I am going to try this method. The trick seems to be thick slip, very thick slip.

Chai Wan Mei - Love at First Sight!

There is absolutely no doubt that I love his work.

Sneaking away at work

Chai Wan Mei

Support Hong Kong local artists, drop by Chai Wan Mei this Saturday (19 May).

ART HK 12 Chai Wan Mei

Collective creative talents, now that's truly exciting.

Tear drop vase

A good day of work at the studio today . Continuing from what I started 2 weeks ago with a new learnt technique. Slap building, forming sculpture-like work.

Here is a picture at the start of the day

And this is after. 

From Mud to Clay to Cup

Yeah yea! This is a test piece made with freshly mixed dirt which has been fired once and glazed inside.  This cup is made from mud that I dig up earlier. The best thing ( and possibly the worst thing) about making pots is the unexpected elements.  Such pretty pale yellow with sandy dots is purely awesome.  This kind of joy only a potter can fully appreciate.  I mean take a look at the color!

  

Here is what the raw clay looks like

Beauty by Mistake 2

I am insanely attracted by this mold of creation and am gonna make as many as I want.

Red Dots

ART HK 12

This marks the fourth or third year that I'm going to this event. The first was like a troll through a museum, leisurely. The years after that, I could barely move without bumping into others.

The universal is kind to me. Must have been doing something right. I'm becoming a believer of will power.

Print Transfer - Pont de Arts Paris

I am very much like a kid, being excited about everything when it comes to ceramics. This is a new technique I learnt not too long ago which I have had so much fun with. It still amazes me every time when it turns out right. And the successful rate is 100% so far because I even love the imperfection. Unintentional beauty is a pleasant surprise. 


Here is the actual picture I took of a bridge from Paris last April which has a special place in my heart.

And here is the image after being printed / transferred on a freshly prepared clay. I then trimmed the clay to form a plate. Easy as that. 

The plate after firing. I love how the tinniest details are shown.  

Gaga

On my way to see Gaga. Inspiration comes from everywhere right?

Clay Possibility

Here is another clay video I like. What I like about this is the fact that there is no limitation or right / wrong in art. You set your own rules or no rules.

Beauty by mistake

This is some new works I have done. A totally different direction.  I love the natural folds and turns and how pretty they look with the light shines through. 

Turning mud to clay

Walking up hill to dig up some fresh mud to make into clay.

Harvesting Clay - 靠近土地的手

I recently have done just the same, turning mud into clay. Deeply satisfying.

Newbie

Hey hey, here we go. My first ever blog and first ever post. Writing is not my thing but I'm bursting inside. There is so much I want to say and to share about clay, ceramics. This is pretty much all I think about in my waking hours.   


Here is my treat to you. Sue Paraskeva  is an inspiration. Enjoy her video.