Torquil Ceramic workshop part 2

Last Saturday was the second part of the Torquil pottery workshop in Henley in Arden. This time we were decorating our creations with oxides & glazes before leaving them in the capable hands of Carey Moon & Jayne Lucas for firing. I can't wait to see the finished articles! I just hope they survive in the kiln OK?

It's been a lovely experience to work with the paper clay & meet some really interesting people. I also took the opportunity to purchase some more pieces from Jayne for the gallery. These will be on display very shortly.

Torquil Pottery Workshop

I had a great day on Saturday taking part in a ceramics workshop at Torquil Pottery in Henley in Arden. I had booked the course as a Christmas present to myself. I thought working with clay would make a nice change from hard metal surfaces! I was most interested in the work of Jayne Lucas (who I stock in the studio). She uses something called paper clay which is basically a paper pulp mixed with a powder clay, then mixed with water. The paper obviously burns off during firing. The mixture gives great flexibility to the material.

The first piece I made was a 2D bird plaque inspired by Lisa Larson. I used some of my etched metal pieces to create patterns in the paper clay surface.

Then I surprised myself by doing some 3D vessels! With these pieces I have embossed the patterns into the paper clay surface before rolling the piece up to form a cylinder. I then 'squashed' it to make more of an oval shape & attached a base.

So these are being left to dry for a week & then next Saturday we will decorate the pieces with glazes! I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished results....

The Gallery Upstairs exhibition

Hello

Sorry not been around for couple of days due to horrible cold cough throat thing! Back now....

Popped to the private view in Henley in Arden on Sunday - phew! How busy??? I didn't stay very long as I was worried I would have a coughing fit but all the work looked fab! People were queueing up to make purchases & I did spy a couple of red dots on my work so a good sign....

The exhibition opens tomorrow 10th November & runs until the 28th November.

http://www.thegalleryupstairstorquil.co.uk/

Frans Wesselman a fellow WGDC member is also exhibition his glass & etchings

Some of Jayne Lucas's work who I stock at the studio too.