It's a learning experience

Here are some pictures of a bowl I made last session at P.V. Art Center. This was done on the wheel.

I am thinking that I am better with the handbuilding technique than with throwing. But this one came out nice. Small, but nice. It would make a good rice bowl. Too bad I am not good enough to make a set of 6.

I started with the white clay on the wheel. Afte the bowl was somewhat dry (leather hard they call it), I painted the whole thing with a slip (or colored clay). Once that dried, I carved through the darker color to reveal the white underneath. This was just a random, organic pattern. I think it turned out pretty nice.

This is one of my favorite techniques. I like carving.

Anyway, once it was carved, it was bisque fired. Then I glazed it in clear and it was glaze fired.

I think total time start to finish was a couple weeks. Active time was maybe an hour. The process is not a fast one.

Next session I am taking a class that focuses on handbuilding. I probably will keep trying the wheel, but not every week.

A sense of direction

I have none right now.

Which is why I haven't posted anything since the original entry.

I've worked a couple of six-day weeks in a row and have just been kind of drained.

I do have a full weekend coming up starting tomorrow. I can use the rest.

Sunday will be about chores, some creative projects at home and Easter dinner at my aunt's house.

I bought a copy of "Where the Wild Things Are" to give to my nephew. Since he is only 7 months old, he won't be into it yet. But it is a classic and every kid should have a copy.

Let the wild rumpus start, kid!

My pottery class at the PV Art Center starts again Monday. So far, in my two 10-week sessions, I have made a couple slightly wobbly trays/plates, some small, somewhat lopsided bowls and I have several pieces in progress now.

In the last session I even managed to make some bowls that will be big enough to use for cereal or soup. Finally.

And they are mostly not lopsided.

If I still feel artistic and creative, I may go wandering around the South Bay looking for inspiration for some designs to carve into the pottery before it is fired. I am really liking that effect.

I need to figure out how to post some pictures here. Then I will put up some shots of my bowls and maybe even some of the cards I have been working on lately.

But for now, I am done.