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 also like the brush strokes in the color to enhance the form. Also, I can allow some of the clay body to come through, 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, on the inside of a piece, I try to smooth it all out, and leave it ready for a smooth, eye catching glaze. This piece, however, is rough on the inside. I left it really bumpy, jagged, and unsmooth. 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. 

A fellow ceramic artist uses encaustic medium over underglazes. So, I thought I'd give it a try. The first two red pieces are actually layers of color. The first, is a deep orange under the red. The second is a layer of soft pink, orange, and then the 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. I feel it works really well in 3 of the 4. The olive piece is a little too dark.