The Life of a Ceramic Owl!

Ceramics has been my life lately. Yes, I have spent so many hours in the ceramics studio, I even dream that I am still there. Ok, I think that only happened when I stayed there till 3:00 am and only got three hours of sleep...but still! It really does haunt me. It has been paying off though I guess. I have made quite a bit of really neat things. But enough of my yakking! I am sorry the pictures are sideways....you would not believe the effort I exerted to try and rotate them (grrrrr picasa web albums) But on with the pictures!!!!!

Okay I know I said I would stop talking but here is the assignment: To make two zoomorphic or anamorphic vessels. One from a existing ancient vessel and a personal one of your own imagination.

Here is the little guy I picked. He is made from bronze and is 12 inches tall. I made mine to scale.



First step. Getting the basic form.



This is where you imagine the picture I didn't take where there is just the tail attached. Then there would be some progressive shots of him when the feet and eyes are attached and the little mohawk and his ears. Use your imagination people!!!!

After 12 hours of carving.

Aaaaaah! His head fell off! Ha ha! Not really. I cut it off (that sounds cruel!) and I made his head into the lid like the original one.

After the terra sigillata (in one very simplified word it would mean: paint [but it gets fired on and its different then a glaze] ) and copper oxide was applied. It doesn't look that different in the picture, but it really looked quite a bit different.

Yay! Its done! The head got stuck on during fireing, but pulled it off (again with the cruelty!!!).

I had to make these pictures extra big because I love how the different colors are reflected in it!!!!

The lovely inside! Which I also put terra sigillata on.



My lizzard jar turned brown...I kind of liked the grey better. Ah well. I still like it though :)



And here are some bowls I threw on the wheel, and then I painted them. I will soon glaze them as well.