Surface treatment

For close to 10 years, I have used a very simple application of underglazes to finish my work. I have tried traditional glazes, and the form just gets lost. I use brush strokes in the application to enhance the form. This also allows limited exposure of the clay body, giving the piece more depth. 

For some forms, I've used drips of underglaze counter to the form. One piece, Keep It To Yourself, came about after oversharing with someone who shouldn't have had the privilege of knowing my deepest feelings. Normally, for an interior, I prefer a smooth surface to allow for an eye-catching glaze. This piece, however, is rough on the inside. I left it really bumpy, jagged, and rough. I used a glaze that enhances it. 

I used the drips to represent chaos and the storm I've created by not keeping "it" to myself. While the drips don't really accentuate the form, they represent the purpose behind making this piece, and remind me to be more selective. 

The drips aren't right for every piece, so I'm continuing to explore other ways of finishing my work. 

One method, the application of an encaustic medium, was introduced to me by a fellow ceramic artist. I decided to give it a try. The first two red pieces in the Encaustic Finish, on the Gallery Page, are actually layers of color. The first piece is a deep orange under the red. The second is a layer of soft pink, orange, and red. The third piece was black with chartreuse. Finally, the fourth, an older piece, was red with chartreuse. 

Each piece was finished with a layer of encaustic medium.