I spent a week with John Pollex learning how he applies coloured slips to his pots. These are my results. I find the colours much more vibrant when there is a base layer of black/brown slip, as in the plates. The slips are added layer upon layer, mostly with a sponge, and some sgrafito is added taking back to the clay or to a previous layer of colour.
In september 2012 I enjoyed a weekend course using green wood, in Devon. Working out in the open on a beautiful autumn weekend, splitting tree trunks, finding unknown muscles, finishing with a small three-legged table.
My table was made of cherrywood legs, a sweet chestnut top with fen bog oak in the tenons.
Kestle Barton is a stunning gallery, with relaxing and inspirational gardens and a workshop area, located on the Lizard in Cornwall. I was fortunate to participate in a hot and cold glass workshop with Max Jaquard and Jon Lewis in June 2012. My final piece of cold glass work above was inspired by the location and the exhibition of Max Jaquard's glass in the garden. Max's exhibition also inspired my Body Adornment assignment in October 2012.
Jon Lewis and his partner demonstrated glass blowing in a portable workshop which arrived in their own transport, including the 'glory hole' used for melting the glass.
My final piece of blown glass was inspired by the poppy seedheads in the garden.
Apologies to the model for the socket junction above her head!
Pretty? On closer inspection the mirrored acrylic pieces, held together with wire, are made up of whips, guns and handcuffs.
