Now that Boris is fired, he seems to have a quizzical look on his face. Boris turned out completely different than I expected, but I do like him. With the speckled clay he almost looks like he was made in the 1970s. He's about 8.5. x 5.5 x 4 inches. I put a clear satin glaze on him and it didn't cloud up at all. I reduced my hold time by 5 minutes and raised my bottom cool down time by 100 degrees to no ill effects I think. I thinned the clear glaze quite a bit before application. I signed my name in red iron oxide pencil on the interior and the clear glaze all but obliterated the signature. Live and learn.
Here's my cat, Butter, lounging on the bed. Yes he is a very big cat, almost a mini mountain lion size, solid muscle, and sweet most of the time. Boris is hollow underneath, he'd hide an Easter egg if you'd let him. Oh, wait a minute he could hide a mouse, I may just have to make one for him. This post is part of the Mud Colony what's happening in the studio this week. Getting reading for a show next week so have to keep working. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Congratulations! He has turned out wonderfully well.
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, thanks, I am happy he turned out, I can now envision a whole group of cats I'd like to make.
ReplyDeleteMore cats please! And I agree about Boris's quizzical look.
ReplyDeleteI sign my work in a mix of black underglaze mixed with wax resist. Sometimes use a black underglaze pencil, but not often!
Loving Butter!
what a life butter has!
ReplyDeleteYour results on your two clays are interesting- I like them all!
Hi Suzi, thanks, next time I'll try my black underglaze pencil or scribe my name and then use the black engobe rubbed into the scribe. I've been using the oxide pencils because they are neater on the bottoms of the plates and such and I am less likely to mishandle the clay and cause warping.
ReplyDeleteHi Meredith, thanks, yeah these cats have the life or riley, but they are great companions. I wish I had done the tests before this load, oh well, now I know. I like them all for different reasons except the last two on the left are too dark and wouldn't you know I used that one on a big bowl and four small bowls.
ReplyDeleteshould be of riley
ReplyDeleteI love Boris, he looks great. I love speckles in clay just for that retro look.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks, I found out on blogger when I load my photos and can change the size to medium, large, or extra large, I think this one is large to see details better. I am liking the speckles too. I haven't used this clay in a while but I am glad I ran out of the white because I was forced to use the one bag of speckled. Ha. Some things happen for a reason.
ReplyDeleteLove the cat!
ReplyDeleteHe came out great! The color is purrfect.
ReplyDeletebe selective with the large photos on blogger... i reached my limit and can't upload anymore :-(
Hi Kitty, thanks, hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele, thanks, oh that's right I forgot all about that. I guess if I reach my limit I will pay the annual fee.
Boris the cat, so cute! And Butter? Do you ever call him Butterball?? What a fluffy cutie!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Cheers!
Texas Playwright Chick
Hi Texas Playwright Chick, thanks, no I only call him Butter Boy, or Butter Butter, if you click on his photo on the sidebar you can see how he adopted us and how I found out what his name was.
ReplyDeleteYour both cats look lovely! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love speckled clay! :)
Hi Anastasia, thanks so much, my Butter is a jewel and I hope to make more friends for Boris.
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