Pinch Pot Teacups

Below you will find the evolution of my design process for the ceramic teacups.  They are made by hand, not wheel-thrown, using white stoneware clay.  I begin with a pinch pot, scraping away the interior and exterior until I achieve a fine form.  I then add handle and base.  The shape of these has changed many times as I look for the right combination.  I am now experimenting with engraving into the clay (sgraffito) and slip trailing for decoration.

Diploma. What next?

 Hello Everyone... I am still not sure if anybody reads my blog as I never receive any comments!  But, on the off chance I am making connections, here is an update.

I have now graduated from my course this year, with a Diploma of Visual Art, and straight Distinctions across all the subjects.  This just means that I love learning and make an effort!

I will be continuing my studies with a Bachelor Degree of Visual Art next year and am VERY excited about that!  

I have put up photos of some of the work I completed for my study assignments this last semester. 

 

 

I believe that I will have more work to do next year and less time, so I am continuing my learning by experimenting at home during the holidays.  I am currently teaching myself, and practicing, making ceramic teacups.  Ceramics will be my bread and butter in the future.

Below is the painting I am working on.  My inspiration comes from unusual shapes in oriental ceramics, coupled with seventeenth century European textiles.  The background will probably be Islamic pattern.  I am intrigued with the idea of the old trade routes across the continent.

Print making

I have really enjoyed my print making classes this year and have learnt such a lot.  I particularly like lino block printing for the strong graphic quality.  I think the process is more accessible for me to.  Although intaglio printing is very interesting, I can't see myself happily handling acid bath etching at home!  Below is a print from a reduction block I carved some months ago.  This print was was made over a stencil pattern using acrylic.. I rather like how the underlying paint embosses the print.

Today I began printing my series about the story of Alice in Wonderland.  This is the White Rabbit looking a little stressed!

I love Alice in Wonderland and these prints will be a lot of fun!

Snow Leopard

Been away from my blog for a while... not sure if anyone noticed!  Thought I might share the painting process of a work I finished today.

I will probably tweak it a little bit as I live with it for a time.

Lino block, ceramics and photoshop!

A new semester has arrived and we are already well into it!  I really love lino block printing and am trying to do a complicated reduction print.  It is hard to keep in mind the sequence of colours that will be printed and carve accordingly.

This image is inspired by damask patterning, Chinese flowers and  the Victorian urge to explore and collect specimens.  Somehow the Victorians managed to imbue a quite macabre pursuit with elegance and civilization.

The below photos show my carving efforts at college today!  I am testing out techniques to work on a much larger ceramic piece.  Inspired by dress and costume.

This test tile is sgraffito, white slip over terracotta.

And this evening, for something completely different, I am learning photoshop. This is my first piece, transforming three photos.  Simply fun!

Holidays!

I have been away during the mid-year break, to Port Macquarie, in the middle of the east coast of Australia....

Pelican Bay, Port Macquarie

Town Beach, Port Macquarie

Strangler Fig

Tacking Point

Lighthouse Beach

Tacking Point Lighthouse

Drove up to the idyllic farmland of the Comboyne Plateau.....

Met some lovely animals at Billabong Zoo...

Koala... actually the first one I have ever patted!

Wallaby

Swamp Wallaby

Wonderful sundown

Where I stayed for some weeks...

This is historic Roto House (I didn't stay here, although it would have been lovely!)

Typical straight through hallway

Dining room

Back to art college tomorrow... can't wait!