From Skilled Hands » Clay

Porcelain Tiles

fromskilledhands — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:20:03 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, I had posted some small tiles in process here. Those pieces have been glazed and fired.

These small pieces, that measure about 4.5″ x 4.5″, give me the opportunity to experiment with different carving and glazing combinations and techniques. I like the intimacy of working on a small scale, and the challenge of creating dimension on a flat surface.

Today I continued working on the bigger triptychs. I’ll post more images as they are available.

Share this!

The Process Continues

fromskilledhands — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:26:05 +0000

I continued to work on the triptych yesterday. Saturday is a busy day in the Village of Peninsula, and there was a steady stream of visitors in and out of the studio. People are interested, and it is wonderful to share the process. It is, however, impossible to work without distraction. Being quiet and attentive to the process is a challenge.

How do you maintain your focus?

Share this!

Sharing the Process

fromskilledhands — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:38:43 +0000

We’ve both been working hard in the studio. Steve was trimming cups and putting on handles:

I was working on these small tiles, and a larger triptych:

I’ll continue working on the triptych tomorrow and see how it evolves. There is something magical about the process. When I am quiet and attentive, the clay lets me know what I need to do.

Share this!

Learning

fromskilledhands — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:43:01 +0000

Things don’t always turn out the way we had anticipated. There is something to be learned by this. Was I present for the process? Did my attention waver? Did I have all the information I needed? What do I need to learn?

Share this!

My Town Monday: One World One Heart

fromskilledhands — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:01:24 +0000

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED

One World One Heart

I’ve written about our being connected and that living on Planet Earth, we really do live in the same town. We breathe the same air, look at the same moon and stars.

One World One Heart is an opportunity for people to share. Last year, Lisa Swifka, the originator of this event wrote:

The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet. It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way.

For me, it is another manifestation of the power of this medium. It is a way that we can embrace our humanity, and share it freely. It is interesting to me that it is the high tech that is providing the high touch in this high tech world. We have already demonstrated the Power of One in so many ways. This is another way for us to connect and to know that We Are One.

On Thursday, February 12, I will be doing another one of my high tech drawings—this one will probably be high tech die to the number of comments. I will be giving these to those whose names I draw. All items are crafted from fine porcelain clays, one at a time, by hand.

There will be at least 3 names drawn, and I will select which piece will be sent. The Touchstones may be given as a group or I may select some for several people.

Post a comment on this post by the deadline of 10:00 p.m.EST on February 11, and I will enter your name in the drawing. Please make sure that to add your email address when you post your comment so that I have a way to reach you .

#####
My Town Monday is another way to see that we all live in the same town. Travis Erwin, the man behind the curtain, is putting things back together after a devastating house fire. Chris, over at e-Cuniform scratchings, and Junosmom at Lifetime Learning are minding the store and posting links to blogs all over this fine planet. Take a look. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.
####
And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups Of Kindness.
76 artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefits the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. To date, we have purchased 21,000 nutritious meals.

Share this!

Gifts From the Heart and Hands

fromskilledhands — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:12:46 +0000

There is something special about things that are made one at a time by hand. They come from the heart through the hands.

An old friend once said that these mugs are user-friendly since he had “hands like hams.” He could easily hold the mug in his hand. I have my favorite mug: I can hold it with one or 2 hands, and it’s designed to keep my drink and hands warm. The cool thing is that if my coffee or tea cools off, I can heat it up in the microwave. They are available in blue, green and earth tones.

It drives me nuts when I have poured a drink into a mug or glass and the pitcher drips. These pitchers don’t drip— really.

Kids’ sets are unique personalized items. They are made from porcelain clay and are the perfect size for children. I use the cups, bowls and plates all the time. The cup is the perfect size for a late afternoon cup of something, and the bowl controls the amount of ice cream I eat.

All culinary pieces are made of white stoneware or porcelain clays, by hand, one at a time. They are glazed with non-toxic glazes, fired to 2400 degrees F, and are safe to use in dishwashers, conventional and microwave ovens. They make great gifts—either for someone else or for yourself.

The little Blue Santa and friends have continued to grace our lives. We have met so many wonderful people from all over this beautiful blue planet who have shared their stories about him. We are now making little Green Santas, a cat and a shoe. I will be posting photos of them in the next day or so, so check back soon.

To order any piece, please click here.

Post a comment and I’ll enter you in one of my high-tech (where I pull a name from a hat) drawings for a little Blue Santa.

Share this!

Homage to the Unknown Craftsman

fromskilledhands — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:11:13 +0000

I was looking at some pieces of glass and of pottery the other day. Pieces that are wonderful in their simplicity and purity. There appears to be no ego—the pieces are not signed and have obviously been well used. They are perfect in that their design is matched with their function. Who were the makers of these vessels? It hardly matters.

These are the unknown craftsmen and craftswomen. Folks who made things out of necessity and for the joy of the making. Nothing but that. And that, my friends, is something we can all learn.

Share this!

Working With Porcelain Clay

fromskilledhands — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:35:19 +0000

Back in May of 2007, I wrote about working with porcelain clay,

I love porcelain clay. I love everything about it. I love the delicate smooth quality of it and how it requires that I pay attention. I love that it doesn’t let me hide; every finger and nail mark is right there. These are the marks of the craftsman; they show you the item was made by a person rather than a machine.

Working with porcelain is kind of like working with Philadelphia cream cheese as a canvas. You have to wait for just the right balance between wet and dry; an exercise in attentiveness.It’s a useful thing thing to work on.

I have been working on a new series of tiles, and some carved vases. My husband throws the vases, and I carve them. Here are a couple of pieces in process:

Share this!

Of Animals, Gardens and Art

fromskilledhands — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:39:42 +0000

Besides her family, Cuyahoga Valley artist Pat Raeder’s main interests are animals and gardening. She considers herself lucky because she gets to play with dirt all year long. Each has its season: from the middle of August through Thanksgiving, and into the new year, Pat works with clay. In April, she begins the design process for her incredibly beautiful gardens.

The Jungle Series has developed over time; Pat worked on sketches for the series for many months. This group of pieces gave Raeder the opportunity to “stretch” as an artist: the pieces are more complex than those she has done in the past, and she has used more color. When I look at the work, I see a range of forms, each with it’s own character. Some are whimsical, some more serious; all have personalities and a story to tell.

Jungle Fruit
Stoneware clay, decorated with underglazes; on wood base
12″ x 12″ x 22″

Synchronicity is an interesting thing. Although Pat had taken a sculpture class in art school, she didn’t focus on clay. About 35 years ago, Pat Raeder’s husband was given a potter’s wheel and a kiln. He gave it to Pat for Christmas, and they put it in their basement. Teaching herself to throw on the potter’s wheel, Pat’s work slowly improved. But throwing wasn’t her main interest. She began to notice other potters’ work, and the variety of styles and techniques. Finding her niche in hand building, Pat has made jewelry, garden art, animals and this series. The repetition involved in producing the work over many years is a process of study and refinement, so that the artist’s hands and heart know what to do. Pat said that once she started thinking about the Jungle Series, new ideas “kept popping.” I am glad they did.

Share this!

Simple Gifts

fromskilledhands — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:45:02 +0000

Gifts come in all kinds of forms and packages, from the flashy gift wrap of a high end store, to the wonderfully simple muslin marble bag of the Little Blue Santa. The gift of friendships old and new; of relationships that grow organically, without pressure or intent.

The process of the Little Blue Santa has been like that: it has grown of its own accord; pieces and parts have fallen into place, in their own way, at their own time. I am still amazed at how it has grown, and continues to do so. There is something about this little guy that touches something very deep in so many people. People have shared their stories with us: childhood memories of the traditions of family members long gone; of celebrations and of delicately crafted ornaments and decorations; of preparing and sharing food; and of the magic of the season.

One woman is the genealogist for her family. She had found a family member who had worked at the American Marble and Toy Manufacturing Company prior to the fire. Others have remembered the traditions from their Ukranian and Bavarian grandparents. People who had grown up in Germany and in Eastern Europe shared their stories and memories. Samuel Dyke’s great-grandson visited us and shared his remembrances.

Fourteen skilled hands and many more hearts have shared in the making of the Little Blue Santa. These are the true gifts, from the mostly women and children who labored in the factory so many years ago, to those of us who are passionate about the wonder of this journey, and who share this vision.

Share this!