the process
Wedge
Wedge
Wedge
Every piece starts as a lump of clay that is kneaded into a ball shape.
Throw
Wedge
Wedge
With water, clay, and carefully applied pressure the vessel starts to take form.
Trim
Wedge
Details
After the piece is allowed some time to dry, specialized tools are used to trim away excess clay and form it into the final desired shape.
Details
Details
Details
Following trimming, handles, feet, and other decorative features are added. The piece is then left to completely dry out before going into the first kiln firing called 'bisque.'
Glaze
Details
Glaze
Following the first firing, the pieces are rinsed and glazes are applied. It is common for glazes to look different from their end result before the final firing.
Fire
Details
Glaze
In the final firing, glazes react at high temperatures creating different beautiful effects. The majority of my functional pieces are fired to 2167 degrees Fahrenheit (1186 Celsius).
Beyond the Pottery wheel
Mold Making
Casting Multiples
Pouring Plaster
After settling on a specific vessel shape (that I either wheel threw, or hand built), I begin the process of creating a mold with it. Pictured here is a future handle mold!
Pouring Plaster
Casting Multiples
Pouring Plaster
The mold itself is usually made up of multiple parts that are made from hand mixed pottery plaster. A typical mug mold will require three parts! Two parts for the sides, and one part for the bottom.
Casting Multiples
Casting Multiples
Casting Multiples
After the mold has completely set up and dried out it is ready for use. Pottery created from molds is achieved with a very watered down clay mixture called 'slip.' Afterwards my process is much of the same. I add handles and carve the details. Which is then followed by two firings and glaze application.