The art of hand made dishes has been coming up in my creative life recently. I like making them. I always tell people the food tastes better on my handmade dinnerware. The coffee or tea is spicier, and the food is more appealing on a pretty plate.Very important is that you Know the ingredients in my glazes are totally safe.Since it is all high fire, these dishes can go in the oven , even the microwave, and the dishwasher. Convenience matters in our every day life.
This is a set I had done a while ago, and recently sold .Not even sure this is a glaze batch I can reproduce, but I have other colors I use now. I always tell people when you order a set from me, rest assured, each piece will be unique. The colors will match, but the size and glazing style will be slightly different on each piece.You know you are getting handmade dishes. People seem to like this one of a kind styling they get from me.
The dish as an art form.
This ceramic piece, entitled "Half Moon Abstraction" hangs on the wall like a canvas, some fourteen inches long . It does have a foot to stand on as well.
Taking the basic round shape of many clay creations, my decision was to consider another dimension, or perspective I could construct from this basic shape. Carving away part of the round form would add yet another facet of abstraction.
Looking up the word abstraction in the dictionary, I read this definition: ..." a concrete object or organic figure which is transformed by the artist into a nonrepresentational design, with recognizable elements, irregular curved lines, graded tones etc.." Boldly, I set forth to add the elements of design to this surface.
I like angles; sharp lines; non representational forms.It is harder to sell here in the southwest, so I do it to feed my creative soul, and hope some kindred spirit identifies.
I have to carve out each shape. I want to play off the straight lines and the curves; the triangles and the circles. Then comes the hard work , as I go back and fill in the colors. I must paint within the lines!
I use low fire glazes to get the red,the metallic bronze, and the celadon green of the plate. It takes many coats to get the depth of color I desire. First firing to make it strong. Second, primitive firing, to add the crackle and patina I desired. Always the element of risk in ceramics; art; life...
Behold, it came out just the way I envisioned. That is the real success for me.
