Waxing and Wiping and Rollerblades Oh My!

It has been a busy few weeks full of tons of activity both at the college and away.  There is so much to share, I probably should have done multiple posts.  Alas, I'll try to be brief.  Message me if you want more information about any of the things I've posted about.

First up, I spent a great weekend in late September in Edmonton at Clayworks Studio Link. They hosted a fantastic hands-on workshop with Austin Texas artist (and comedian) Ryan McKerley.



Ryan uses a technique called water carving where he paints a pattern onto a bone dry pot with hot parafin wax (Gulf wax in the US) which acts as a resist.  He then washes away the clay around it with a sponge and lots of water which leaves a raised surface where the wax is.

     

He was right when he said he makes it look very easy.  After 3 tries I finally had some successful pieces.

The following weekend (October 3 - 5) was spent at the Alberta College of Art and Design where the annual 1,000 Miles Apart conference was being held.  I got to see Ryan McKerley in action once again as well as Kansas City artist Steven Gorman. 

  

Ryan demonstrated his brand new spray paint technique.  One of our RDC students, Chase, was the lucky volunteer assistant.

And so, returning to Red Deer, I  had to try my hand at this.  Instead of using a gloss, I tried using some florescent spray paint I found in the sculpture studio. This left an interesting residue on the piece at the bisque phase as pictured below.  I will see if this remains after firing in reduction with an amber celadon on it.

 

This week Trudy demonstrated a technique for throwing large pots with a tool made with Roller Blade wheels.

  

I started the process by throwing a base that had 1/2 inch thick wall on it on a plaster bat. We then added thick extruded coils one at a time and used the tool to compress and "throw" the coil onto the pot.  I have a video but it isn't working.  Darn.  And here's the final pot!  I threw one of the coils and then then finished by throwing a rim.  

My next clay adventure ... the zoomorphic vessel!