The Voynich Manuscript

Another video of some inspiration.

Photos

Some nicer photos of the barrel of monkeys piece.

The Antikythera Mechanism

Here is a video about the "Antikythera Mechanism" which is the type of thing that is inspiring my new work. Many of you probably know about it, but if not, I urge you to watch this video. It's kind of long, and a bit dramatic, but very interesting non the less.

Globe Form

Here is the globe-like piece from before. It still is a work in progress, but I got it up and operational. Taking pictures of the movement was fun.

...and After!

Hmm. The stuff I thought would work didn't and the stuff I thought wouldn't did. Must be ceramics! Here are some images of my hanging pieces piece.

Barrel of Monkeys Style!

So my latest project involves hanging glazed pieces from each other from a base supported by bricks. Crazy, I know. I took some progress shots as I was building it up...errr...down. Some of the images are a little blurry, sorry about that.

                                                     View from underneath.

                                                        Underneath #2

                                     Printed on "melting clay" balanced over the top.

                       I'll be unloading sometime tonight. I'll get pictures. Wish me luck!

Before...

Here is my latest "before" shot. Tomorrow I will post the construction of it in the kiln, and later of course will come the "after."

Searching for "Golden Crackle"

I been testing glazes lately, searching for a crawling metallic glaze at cone 10. The middle image here is the best I've done so far, I like the reflective goldish in the cracks. The problem with it is that is got over-fired, so it needs to be fluxed down further. Unfortunately, it's a touchy glaze and only a certain percentage of it can be flux, so it's not as simple as just increasing the % of flux. The top image is my last batch of tests, where I switched to a more powerful flux. Melted at the right temperature, but I lost the gold in the cracks. Bottom image is my latest tests going into the kiln now. Wish me luck.

Looking at Artists

I'm trying to spend more time looking at other ceramic artists and their approach to ceramics. Here is one Steve Belz, who's work I admire.  Website

...and After (ish).

So of course it didn't all go according to plan. The simpler parts of the project died and are currently being reconstructed. The good news is that my hollow orb forms of pieces came out ok. I will update again when all is finished properly and assembled. I also think I will do this again soon with some alterations.

How Many Failures Does it Take to Screw in a Lightbulb...

I was going to devote this post to the other piece I've been working on. It involved hanging pieces from each other barrel-o-monkey style from a larger base suspended upside-down in the kiln on stacks of bricks. The base cracked in the bisque bad enough that I deemed it unsafe to attempt such a construction and risk it all tumbling down.

So I am remaking the base from a stronger clay, and reflecting on how many failures it takes to do something right. I will post step by step as I construct the new one in the kiln, so keep an eye out for a couple of weeks!

Before...

So here is the latest piece I've been working on. I thought it would be a good idea to get before and after images. (hopefully, there will be something to shoot after.)

Inspiration for New Work

I'm working on a piece right now that was largely inspired by astrolabes and armillary spheres.

Here are some of the images I have been looking at. I love the layers and the ornate detail of these pieces. I also love that these once served an important function, and visually you can tell, even though most people today wouldn't know how to use them.

Slumping Porcelain

Edinboro alumni Kevin Rohde recently shared this with me and I figured I would share it with you. I find it very interesting as one of the projects I'm working on involves melting/slumping clay. I am also interested in using the firing to alter the form of a piece. Cheryl Ann Thomas coil builds some very delicate cylinders and slumps them together in the firing. Here is here website if anyone wants to check it out. http://cherylannthomas.com/home

"Methodical Turmoil" at ZenClay

I have a show up at ZenClay's gallery in Morgantown WV, entitled "Methodical Turmoil." If you happen to be in the area, please go check it out. It will be up until September 28th. Here is a sample of some of the work that is in the show.