Stiching with nails and the results of a High Firing

So, you remember that nice piece of porcelain with the nails?

Well after its bisque fire it went back in the kiln for a high fire (1260'c)

and looooooook! 

that is some nice bubbling!

I'm experimenting with some more.....

check back for results next week!

Construct, Deconstruct, Slip-cast, Fold and Pin

I've been having a great time with slip-casting recently, some exciting shapes and forms appearing! Here's what's been happening in the workshop:

unfired experiments, cast with terracotta slip

eddoe cast with nail/pin additions

The terracotta palette: unfired, bisque fired to 1000'c, fired to 1100'c and high fired to 1260'c

bisque fired experiments - the blackened pins are lovely! 

how I would use the palette tests to decide on colours (left sample is an 1180'c firing - so black cherry warm!)

experimenting with pins and porcelain

and more porcelain forms

I'm interested in what's happening and my next task is to consider how to include some of my latex sampling. I am keen to use some of the colourings and glaze tests that I did last week too so we will see where this takes me next...

1, 10, 1000

With term one finishing today and a 4 week break ahead of me, it's time for some down time.  During the break however I will be thinking about the next project: 1, 10, 1000. 

I have planned a visit to London new week to do some visual research at the British Museum. The Design Museum has an interesting jewellery show on as well so I'm looking forward to seeing that too, post to follow.

So, The Brief: 1, 10, 1000 

6 Week Project 

You Must Chose to Produce finished work using one of three approaches below that you feel most suits you and your ambitions: 

Bespoke: Individual Artworks or Commissions, produced for individuals or a high end gallery/museum context.

Batch: Produced small volume of a similar object or range, produced for a high retail or craft gallery context. 

Mass Produced: object produced using manufacturing techniques that may be produced in large volumes by others people rather than yourself, aimed at a more mass market consumer/retail outlet.
All the above approaches have their pros and cons, which you will need to explore.

However all the approaches require you to undertake some exhaustive market research. The market must be explored in its widest sense, not just as an outlet but as an indicator of trends, innovation, customer motivation and future developments. Through analytical market research, you will identify a potential product for a viable commercial outlet in contemporary design.
Apart from the Market the theme of this project is entirely up to you; remember soon you will have to generate your own brief, idea and concept. So think carefully about a theme which will really get you excited. 

The Process:

You will undertake one of four specialist workshops that are designed to develop your specialist skills and assist with production of work for this project.

You will also carry out personal development of outcomes including: sampling and prototyping in appropriate workshops.

You will produce Market research that shows a consideration of outlet/market place, trend and fashion, product analysis, costing and price points and sustainability issues.

Initially, I'm drawn towards Batch and have opted for leather as my specialist workshop. I'm interested in exploring its properties and taking it outside of it's normal working methods. I'm interested in lighting, porcelain and leather combined. This feels exciting and I'm interested to see the outcome of it through experiments.

Mouldmaking, Slipcasting, Visualising and, Assessment!

It's nearing the end of term, I am due to present my work for assessment on Monday and as it's been a while since I've updated, here are some pictures of what I've been up to:

By simplifying my movement drawings to the essence of the act,
I formed these into copper wire.

Into the wire I used expanding foam
which created some interesting organic like shapes.

From these I made some plaster moulds which I then used for slip-casting in porcelain

The foam objects were quite complex in shape
and suffered from a  lot of undercuts in the casting process

this resulted in a lot of tears and breaks in the casts

but as a collection they worked well together

Once fired I experimented with how they might look with lighting inside them.

Visualization was an essential part of this project as the work was intended for a large-scale installation. Here are images of the casts in 'situ':

a stumble-upon installation in an only rum distillery

and a suggestion as large scale stage set for a dance/physical theatre performance.

So, with Year Two, Term One coming to a close, here's my space all set up for assessment - wish me luck!

Lovely Lustre (2012)

It's that time of year again, the annual Lustre event at Lakeside. I went with a keener and more inquisitive eye this year, looking at the display and quality of finish to the products on show. I was quite taken by the affordability of the wares and made a few purchases too!

I enjoyed talking with Christine Gray about her process of making these beautiful porcelain bowls:

The cast glass sculptures of Louisa Finch:

More glass sculptures by Samantha Donaldson:

Katie Gilliland's taxidermy inspired jewellery:

The attention to detail in Malin Winberg's work:

The simple yet effective designs of Jane Blease:

The technicalities and consideration applied to the work of Anna Wales:

The scaffold inspired brilliance in the jewellery of Helen Sutherland:

The illustrative delights in the textiles of Teresa Cole:

And the exciting ceramic drawings-cum-sculptures of Nicola Laidstone!

Nicola has an open studio event at the Shed 2 studios on 30th November -
I'm definitley going along to have a peek!

My purchases of the day were: 

these three bear embroideries by Natalia Kukiel...I wonder where they will go?

and a mug by Carly Dodsley - which I'm enjoying as I blog!

So all in all, it was another lovely Lustre and a pleasant addition to the work that I saw there last year. I'm keen to make it a annual visit and continue to support the new, local and inspiring makers that it attracts. Maybe I will be there one day? who knows....