Butterfish Update

 Painting another mini butter dish.  My glaze is Spectrum #251 Satin White.  I love the way it looks when fired but it’s a real bitch to work on.  Does not absorb color and smears easily.  I’ve been experimenting with adding bit of using paste (g.b. And frit #3124)) along with a drop of glycerine  to make things more workable.  I am also waxing areas as I finish them.  The body is waxed; the striped head is not, but will be soon when color are dry. 

 I am also trying out a gray instead of black to outline and define everything. I mixed this one with stains, neutral and charcoal, with paste and a dollop of Spectrum low-fire base underglaze.  It’s making me quite nervous, which is probably a good thing.  Nothing like exploring new methods to keep me on my toes.

In other news…celebrated my eighty-first birthday on the twelfth……the same day my fix-it guys called to tell me that the car will need a new head gasket! GAAAAH!!  And here I was concerned that it might need a new radiator, if only! 

We are finally into sunny warmer weather.  Daffodils are in bloom, columbine is coming along nicely and violets of many varieties are starting to flower.  I may actually get out to do a bit of work.   We’ll see, grasshopper….we’ll see.

Speaking of grasshoppers remembering one of my all time favorite potters, Ronin Hopper, who’s birthday is today.  And who can forget Will, the Bard of Avon himself?

As always, stay safe, and thanks for stopping by…………*s*

Anudda Budda!

 This is the base of the butter dish in my last post.  Glazed in Spectrum #252, Satin White, three thin coats brushed on.  This glaze lifts when brushing colors.  I sprayed it with hair spray which helps. Waxed and waiting for the wax to dry before I proceed.

I've been having fun with these mini butter dishes.  I'm trying to use a looser brush style. 

Watched the eclipse reflected in the fish pond.  I took some pictures; they didn't come out very well.  It didn't get all that dark here, but it was noticeably cooler and the fish all clustered in the middle of the water.  We were fortunate to have a sunny day.

Driving home from Hope Valley on Friday the temp indicator suddenly went bonkers up to the top of the gauge.  Leak somewhere. Had it towed yesterday down to our very reliable fix-it guys.  Toes crossed it won't cost an arm and a leg to get it going.  It's always sumthin'!

Toes crossed that the weather has finally changed and that we will see some real spring.  Only a few more weeks until I move plants out to the deck.  Clean-up is in progress!

As always stay safe. and thanks for stopping by.................*s*