Tag Archives: City Lit Arts

Testing Times

This week I have been experimenting with a new clay.  I love the feel of working with porcelain but I would really like to reduce the amount of warp which I get in large pieces so I thought I would have a go with some molochite grogged porcelain.  I confess that the jury is well and truly out over this one.  It came out of the bag wet and floppy but when I left it to dry for a bit it became rather fractious and crumbly.  It was a beast to build with – it felt horrible to the touch and did not really want to join to the found materials at all.  I have gone large because that is, after all, the point and I am going to fire to at least 1230 to see how it behaves but I will certainly need a lot of convincing!

grogged porcelain
Give me Audrey Blackman every time!

yesterday, at a get together of the Diploma students we were talking about clay as you do at 10:30 on a Friday evening, and a number of my contemporaries have also been having a go with a few new clays.  There were some very favourable reports of a white stoneware/porcelain blend from some and so that might be the next one to try but in the meantime, I am open to suggestions – how do you get a lovely smooth, workable clay with the qualities of porcelain but without the warping?

My Favourite Things Chapter 3.

I first saw Fiona Byrne-Sutton’s work when I was researching for my final project on the diploma at City Lit in a book called Additions to Clay Bodies by Kathleen Standen which I was reading as part of my research.

Her website lists the tools which she takes along with her when she is out and about.  She too travels the countryside with a map, a compass, a trowel and a plastic bag.  These are the tools of the trade for the adventurer ceramicist!  More about my adventures in the New Year.  For now, just enjoy looking up a fellow maker who I have never met but with whom I empathise with completely below are a few examples of Fiona’s work but to really enjoy her, visit her website and watch her video: