Recently I made two bowls, however I did not get the chance to take a picture of them yet, but as soon as I do that I will post them.
The first bowl I made using porcelain clay. I have never used porcelain clay before and I had a lot of fun working with it for the first time. I really liked how soft the clay was and how smooth it was.
I started out by rolling out the clay and when it got to a thickness I felt was right I laid it into a bowl and by doing that the clay automatically developed an interesting form. The edges kind of swooped and curled, which was what I intended. I was inspired to make this piece after I made my "mug" because I wanted to experiment with different bowls and seeing how the clay could form. After I let it dry I finsished it off by smoothing all the edges and then I fired it. I finished by glazing the piece with two different blue glazes. The first was a peacock blue which I applied with a very soft brush. I dipped the ends in the glaze and ran the brush across the outside of the bowl. This did not cover every surface of the bowl but instead made horizontal lines on it, which was my intention. The second glaze I used was a dark, blue/ green glaze. I used the same brush and the same technique I used with the peacock blue glaze. The finished result was horizontal lines of dark and light blue glazes across a smooth white surface. The inside of the bowl I glazed entirely with the peacock blue glaze. I was very happy with the outcome of this bowl. I feel like I could have developed it a little more, but I believe the way I glazed it was very successful and I would like to use that technique again.
The second bowl I did was using regular clay but I made it the same way I made the porcelain bowl. However it was not as successful as the porcelain bowl. Instead of throwing it out I was encouraged to test out glazes on it. I used two different blues again and I really liked the blue I used on the inside of the bowl, I believe it was marine blue. The glaze on the outside though, did not show up well. Overall I would say this piece was not successful but I did discover a glaze I would really like to use on another piece.

This is a piece that I am currently working on. I rolled out the clay flat and then wrapped it around a cardboard tube. After letting it dry I began to carve into it. The swirl markings started as a mistake but I realized that they were actually making an interesting design so I went with it. The words "And it makes me wonder" are lyrics from one of my favorite songs that I happened to have stuck in my head that day.

I really like how this piece is turning out. However, right after I took this photo the peice broke across the top taking out part of the swirl design. The piece doesn't have the same feel anymore but I am going to finish it because the break didn't drastically change the overall look for the piece because the majority of the carving wasn't effected.

I am excited to glaze this piece because I want to use a few different glazes on the different parts of the piece. I really want to get the glaze in the carved lines so it will make them really pop. Latley I have been attracted to blues so I will most likely incorporate a few blues into this piece.

Raku pottery is created with a specific ceramic firing process that uses both fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs.

This is personally my favorite ceramic process. I love the way the glaze come out a metalic color and the firing process itself is very fun to be apart of. I am really looking forward to creating a piece to raku this year. I am also looking forward to using different techniques to decorate the clay such as incorporating feathers and horsehair, or things of the like.

This is my interpretation of a mug. I was really happy with the way the galze turned out. I like how it is dark in the places I carved out.

I started this piece with rolled out clay. I then draped it over a small cup to make it into an actual mug. However the clay was not taking the shape that I intended it to, so instead of continuing to manipulate it, I let it fold however it wanted and then finished by molding sides together and smoothing out the curves and any lines.

After making the shape I allowed the clay to dry. I got the idea for the lines I carved when I was looking at a ceramic piece in a magizine that showed a tree and its roots. I really liked the look of these natural lines so I tried it out in my piece. The lines I carved, along with the color glaze and the way I put the glaze on, give the piece a very earthy look.

It was my intention to have the glaze be dark within the carved lines and lighter throughout the rest of the piece and I am very happy with the outcome of my "mug".