Bubbling, pitting amd running were the culprits of the day. No one escaped unscathed. Frankly, I don't know what happened. I can only guess that the firing was either heated too fast or cooled too fast. Good thing these were just test pieces. Other students who worked sooooo hard the first half of the semester had their entire body of work ruined. It was a sad day but we go on! The white glaze performed the poorest. We won't be using that again. The instructor is going to try and rescue some of the damaged pieces but it doesn't look good.
I guess this is all part of the process. It's like life. We give birth, live for a short time and then die. To quote my friend Jay-Z, "On to the next one!".
Getting all three of those problems doesn't sound like too fast rise/cool temperatures. It sounds like the kiln got too hot - was there a cone pack? If there is a hold, is it below the set cone? You probably know that holding at cone 6 say, for 15 minutes, can make it a cone 7. I check your blog occasionally, good to see you're back on - naomi
ReplyDeleteHi Naomi! Thank you for visiting again!! What you suggested could definitely be a possibility. I, unfortunately, was not involved in the firing. The teacher only said that it was "atmospheric" problems. It was extremely hot but I don't know what cone it was fired to. All I know is that we won't be using that glaze again.
ReplyDeleteWhat have you been up to?
Still part-time at Derby Pottery, making street tiles for the Magazine Street installation - 3000+ tiles! I tested some glazes a few weeks back, got a good clear from Ceramics Technical, which had very minor crazing, most likely because I took it out way too hot. Got to learn patience. Otherwise, working on one sculpture for a year. Where are you taking clay classes? If you want to come by, see my studio, and the glazes, call or write - you still have my contact? If not, write at naomi (at) naomi duffey dot com. That, of course, all runs together.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see your studio. I'm at Delgado right now. I'll come by Derby and see what you're up to over there. What hours are you normally there?
ReplyDeleteJust checked back - tues/thurs. 10-5. Are you taking classes at that St. Claude studio? I can't seem to stop getting throwing right or left mixed up. I managed to throw one piece with the wheel turning left while I threw right, so I guess I'm not bad, but I was really fighting that clay. Oh for two feet.
ReplyDelete