A helper cat!
I was photographing a dragon and a fish when Aloysius decided that he would be my assistant. I have just about finished glazing the dragon some may remember from last summer. I've started painting the fish. I'm trying to keep a better record of what my process is. However, when I get caught in the moment I forget to stop and take pictures.
I sort of think of glazing as the necessary evil of majolica. The glaze has to be applied evenly without drips and/or brush marks. I usually scrape any imperfections off with a matte knife or a flexible metal rib. I then spray the whole thing with hair spray. Low fire glazes tend to powder and cause brush drag when decorating. If it's a particularly powdery glaze I will even go so far as to mix a little acrylic medium in the glaze.. I try to be very logical about this but most of the time I just wing it.
There are two important thing to remember:
1. That the bisque has to be absolutely free of dust and grease before glazing. If stuff has been sitting uncovered I spray it hard with a vinegar and water mix.
2. Any imperfections that are in the glaze and decoration before firing will be there after firing. I have had brush hairs show up as thin lines after firing.
My amaryllis have started blooming. They are a richer red in the pot. My camera tend to make reds go a little orange or a little violet. Most likely it's because I am not terribly camera savvy.
They were supposed to be apple blossom which is a white with pink highlights. I bought these at Job Lot. I have a feeling they were there because the boxes were mislabeled. I can't complain about the price and bulbs were in great shape. Someday I'll get some other colors.
The weather has warmed up considerably with lots of sun expected over the next week. Predictions are for mid forties to low fifties, going dow into the mid twenties at night. The snow is melting and it's quite pleasant when the wind isn't blowing. I love being in my studio when it's like this.
As always, thanks for stopping by............*s*
