Huelgoat

Two steps forward…….

This post has been delayed because to be frank I didn’t want to post it, but in order to demonstrate that my expedition into ceramics is not all sweetness and light, it had to be done. I now have my first pots out of the kiln for about a week following glazing. As you can see they are a motley crew, and whilst I am pleased overall with the throwing, trimming etc; it is clear I have a lot to learn about decoration, oxides and glazes. I also tried my luck with a couple of encaustic tiles which I can also improve upon with more attention to detail. The glazes are all basic supplier and “bought off the shelf” and I thought my tests, see previous blog post, would be a fair guide as to the results I might expect. However, clearly there are a number of variables I have not taken into account of which, I suspect, thickness of

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Glaze tests and Porcelain pots

Glaze tests Those first trial pots and test tiles fired a couple of weeks ago have now had some glazes applied, along with some Cobalt and Copper oxide stripes. I need to pay attention to those glazes on the left which appear to have a tendency to run, else I will end up with glazed kiln shelves! Porcelain pots For those of you who have ever used the wheel to throw a pot you will be aware that porcelain is a very special challenge. Porcelain has very special qualities when fired that make it desirable, it’s pure white lustre and translucence. However, to throw porcelain requires skills in; patience, delicacy and mud wrestling! I started slowly over the past month and my first pots have been created by using a white stoneware body, but this week I moved onto porcelain. I must say that I was surprised that having not thrown porcelain for over a year I was pleased with

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Baking Biscuit

A busy few days and two key developments. First I am now a member of the local arts group – Art’Goat Association Artistique. They have kindly offered me the opportunity to join their “expo” later in the month but I am going to wait until I have produced some ceramic work in France before I step into the public gaze. Secondly; the successful first biscuit firing of my debutant pots, and a number of tiles to be used in glaze testing. Thanks again to Jo Dove Ceramics for guidance on the firing schedule.

Blank canvas

It is the 1st of March 2019, I have ordered my kiln and my wheel alongside a range of other equipment, tools, clay, glazes and oxides etc. I will of course have forgotten some things, but I will discover what these are as the weeks go by and I look about me for some essential tool that my evening class tutor, Jo Dove, would have had secreted about her studio in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, UK – http://www.jodoveceramics.co.uk I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jo for her inspiration, patience and mentoring over the past 10 years, which have allowed me to take these first steps in setting up my own workspace here in Huelgoat, Brittany, France. http://www.mairie-huelgoat.fr/index.html The space I have is generous for a potter looking to set up from scratch. We have a detached house with a sous-sol (basement) which is supplied with electricity, water and natural light.