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This page shows some of my "ceramic paintings". These
are done by applying colored liquid clay called "underglaze slip" to a raw slab of earthenware clay called greenware (unfired
clay).
After applying many layers of this colored clay the piece is allowed to dry. It is then fired in a kiln for 5 hours to a
temperature of over 2000 degrees. This fires the colored clay and the earthenware slab together to a solidified body called
bisque.Transparent glazes are now applied over the surface.I use both matte and gloss glazes,depending on what type of surface
is desired and fits the image. The snow scenes have a transparant matte glaze.Once glazed ,the piece is fired again to a
temperature just under 2000 degrees for several hours to melt the glaze and form the finished piece. Each finished "ceramic
painting" is one of a kind. The pieces below are 15 inches by 9.5 inches,and are about three quarters of an inch thick.I also
work in a 12 inch square format.
There is an interesting but problematic part of making these paintings .The problem is lot of the liquid colors look completely
different wet and unfired ,as opposed to the final fired state.Because of this I must constantly refer to a" color chart"
of all the clay colors fired and glazed to get a feel for what the final colors will look like.
This is an extremely diffucult process,and some pieces dont make it through the firings, but when they do, the results are
very unique and well worth it.
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