Sold
Published November 5, 2011
A group of Belgian people dropped by my studio this week to pick up some ceramic sculptures. I particularly liked this Fat Bird because of the small, star like white spots on her side, and I am actually sorry to see her go.
The white spots are caused by salt exploding during the smoke firing. The grey and black markings are painted by the smoke – the original colour of my clay is white.
I have used red Botz brush -on glaze for her eyes.
I daubed some red iron and manganese oxide on this Fat Bird, but the black markings appeared during the smoke firing. Again, she is made from white clay.
Even though this Fat Bird is also smoke fired, the smoke has only left a gentle grey hue and the markings comes mainly from manganese, copper and iron oxide.
Studio sale started early…
Published July 9, 2011My studio sale was scheduled to start today, but a few people turned up last night already, which was really nice as we had a chance to chat – and I could sit down with a glass of wine and call it a day!
A few torsos sold during the impromptu preview;
I am really into bronze finishes at the moment. Instead of using a glaze, I mix bronze powder with matte varnish and paint it on to the bisque fired ceramic sculpture. I then follow with a layer of varnish mixed with graphite powder. When it’s dry, I use steel wool to rub back to expose the bronze. If you try this, be sure to wear a decent face mask…
Another couple bought these
Simona with Lizards is glazed with copper and manganese oxides and then smoke fired in a dustbin in my garden.
The theme of the evening was obviously lizards..
The real studio show starts tonight, and I hope to see you here!
Studio Sale – Torsos
Published June 28, 2011
I call this ceramic torso ‘Forest Floor’ It has been smoke fired, and I really like how the copper oxide has turned red in certain places while staying green in others. I particularly like the effect on the left lizard that’s both green and red…The orange/brown effects are caused by manganese oxide.
I like this torso very much, but it has been hanging around for more than 2 years now, so I have decided to add it to the sale and let it go for £175.
I will add another five ceramic torsos to be sold at this price in the next coming days.. Please let me know if you would like and invite to my show by emailing me here
Ceramic torso vase – the other side
Published June 10, 2011
I’ve been asked what the other side of my ceramic sculpture vase looks like ; so here it is!
The smoke firing brings out such different effects – both sides were treated the same way using manganese, iron and copper oxides and of course Botz red brush-on glaze for the heart. A gift to the one that has it all.
Smoke firing workshop in Hastings – the results!
Published June 7, 2011
Opening the smoke bins are always exciting; what have we here?
Andrew needs to use his handkerchief as the Rhino head is still hot!
The colours were achieved by using manganese and copper oxides…plus some ground up coffee and salt.
The main stain used here is red iron oxide along with coffee grounds, banana skins and salt.
Stephane used a ripped up copper scourer to enhance the copper effect on this ceramic sculpture of two joined heads; a homage to the Royal Couple Kate and William!
Ceramic Fat Birds
Published May 29, 2011
My ceramic Fat Birds are hand coiled and daubed with metal oxides before they are placed in a galvanised dustbin and set alight. The process of smoke firing is unpredictable and can throw up many variations; you may think that you’ve treated two sculptures the same way – yet they emerge from the flames two entirely different entities.
All the Fat Birds have had their eyes glazed with Botz brush-on and then, after glaze firing, I daubed them in manganese and copper oxide. The manganese can sometimes turn yellow and orange in the smoke fire as can be seen on two of the cockerels – but the middle hen remains grey, brown and charcoal.
I rubbed some iron oxide on the cockerels, but not on the hens. I just love the random way the smoke has left its mark on the surface…
I’m running ceramic and smoke firing workshops in my studios in Dudley Road, Hastings, and if you would like to know more, please go to www.annakeiller.com/workshops to find out more.
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