Sunday, April 28, 2013

'Sustaining the Person Within' has begun to officially advertise its forthcoming exhibition . . .

 
If you are interested in signing up for one of our workshops which will provide ideas and practical experience of leading creative sessions with the elderly, then please contact us - places will be limited.  Dates of workshops and contact details are on the flier below.
 

Sunday, April 7, 2013

The kiln firing . . .

Finished at about 4.30 yesterday afternoon, around the time of the Grand National! and cooled down slowly overnight.  We all wanted to see the opening so had to wait until lunch time - church followed by a trip to Stratford to collect prints that the Barge Gallery were returning (another blog I think!) caused the delay. 

The temperature had gone from 1150°c down to 50°c by then.  We lifted the lid . . . and found the little figures just as they were, only much redder.  The oxide really hadn't done much on the two testers and the white slip was patchy and a bit distracting, so I think we will just leave them in their natural state.  But all were in tact-ish!  Taking them out we discovered that one arm and a couple of legs had dropped off - and the newspaper dust revealed the shell like structures of several.

Anyway, for anyone who has been following these little updates here are some photos . . .


 

Friday, April 5, 2013

Filling the kiln . . .

After a rather worrying start when the kiln showed no interest in working and our friendly electrian thought it best not to answer his phone, Martin ventured to use a clever tool of Tom's to test the power.  Several moments later, success!

The little figures were placed inside, mainly dangling their legs over the edge of half shelves.  Two figures had been used as testers - Grace and I experimented with red iron oxide and slip, so we shall see . . .

This photo is our record, just in case they don't look quite the same when they come out!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Solihull Artists' Forum - Artists' Fair in Knowle

SAF's Artists' Fair is to be held in the Village Hall in Knowle on the 26th, 27th and 28th of April.

Last year when SAF held the first of these exhibitions it attracted lots of interest and proved to be a real success, so not surprisingly expectations are high.  It was not only a great art event exhibiting a wide range of quality artwork . . . paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and cards . . . but also created a lovely community feel, involving local schools and providing cups of tea with home made cakes, the proceeds of which went to the local hospice.

So make a note in your diary!
Preparing to use oxides and slip . . .

I have one week to go before we fire the kiln!  The plan is to experiment with some red iron oxide and white slip on just a couple of figures to see what the results might be.  These testers will hopefully help to make my mind up about any finish that I use.  I have been given some really useful advice by a sculptor called Nichola Theakstone who I was put in touch with by the clay suppliers.  It has been so helpful to discuss things with her - it's a long time since I did any ceramics!