Majolica Monday

This is another oldie!  In addition to glazing all the flotsam in my studio.  I have been going through boxes of pots I saved for one reason or another

This is from a Walter Ostrum workshop I did at Wesleyan Potters in Middletown, Conn.  According to my notes (Yes, I am that compulsive that I have notebooks going back to forever) We were throwing and altering ring forms.  I obviously made an oval.  The raises 'S' is formed from a coil on the back.  This was the first time I used oak leaves for decoration, which is odd because I live in an oak forest.

I've made other press forms since then (almost 20 years ago).  Because they are bisqued clay I don't worry about needing a release of any sort.

Our named day lilies have begun to bloom.  We were happily surprised to see these, as we thought they would need a few more days to pop!

We made pizza on the grill last night as a belated Fourth of July celebration.  No, no pictures; it was eaten too quickly!  I made a small loaf of bread from leftover dough which I baked on the grill.  It had a nice woody undertone to it.

The weather is in one of its mutable states.  Hot today, hotter tomorrow....a day for sitting under umbrellas with the beverage of choice and swims as needed.

Enjoy the day.  As always, thanks for stopping by............*s*

Sunday Ceramics 16

Wow!  It doesn't seem possible that we are on our sixteenth Sunday.  Busy potters; busy days!

I threw five teapots yesterday.  I don't throw a lot anymore; my wrists just can't take the stress.  These are about two pounds each of terra cotta.  The clay was so wet that I had to wait until today to throw lids and handles.  The openings are all the same size.  I have the measurement from when I threw them so fit will not be a problem.

I was inspired by looking at the strawberry pot I posted on Teapot Tuesday #3.  It will be interesting to see where this goes!

It was warm enough to cook outside so we made pizza on the grill.  While we love pizza at any time, it's so much tastier when made on the grill.

Above is a potato and caramelized onion with smoked mozzarella.  Delicious!

The one above is one of Proge's inventions.  Chopped eggplant in mango chutney with a little spicey lime chutney.  We decided the mango was a little overpowering.  Next time we'll add less with something else.  It also has chicken sausage and provolone cheese.  It is, however, very tasty.

We found the feather in the yard by the pond.  I am taking it as an indicator of what happened to Moby Fish a few weeks ago.  We think it's from  either an owl or a hawk.  Any opinions?

And last an example of why it's a bad idea to bake bread and then forget about it for a few hours.  A little bigger and it could be a curling stone!

We are finally enjoy some early spring weather.  It should be mid spring, but we are happy for sun and warmth.  I actually put my laundry out on the line for the first time this year.

This post will be linked to Kim's Sunday Ceramics 16.  I hope many people will link in.  I have been enjoying Facebook lately, but I still enjoy blogs more.  They feel so much more personal.

Enjoy the beautiful day.  As always, thanks for stopping by.........*s*

Tests and Pizza

Testing, testing, testing......I'm doing some blue on white or very pale blue backgrounds.  The blue poppies are in turquoise blue with indigo on a white ground.  I have some other blues I want to try in combinations.  I find it works much better for me if I do designs rather than strips of color.  Changes can occur when they are layered and and blended.   Color also changes depending on the carrying medium for the stains I use.  

I'm not totally happy with the rim.  It feels a little bare.  A simple line design may solve the problem.

The bowl is an attempt at dogs.  I haven't done much with canines; they have an entirely different anatomy from cats.  One of the joys of google is the ease of finding photos and descriptions of animal anatomies. There is a lot of drawing in my future concerning dogs.  I keep looking at the bowl.  Most of them look more like odd cats and bears than dogs.

I always have pieces around that are not good for anything but tests.  If I like them I use them at home.  If, after a few months, I still dislike them, I photograph them and turn them into drive way fill.  Terra cotta is great for filling ruts.

BIG NIGHT pizza......so named after the movie Big Night  and a wonderful pasta enclosed dish of many ingredients.  We do it as a kind of homage for special occasions.  Layers of goodies of choice with cheese and herbs.

Top layer of fresh mozzarella 

Covered and ready to bake