In the studio

Last week was a busy week. It was very broken up by various activities. I prefer to settle down to working in the studio and getting a good working rhythm.
Wednesday I had to go to London to apply for visas for my two eldest sons to go to China in the summer. Well having cued there I felt entitled to a trip to the V and A's ceramics galleries. Hence the plate above. I seem to see different things every time I go.
Last Saturday we went to Brighton to Artists Open Houses. I decided which ones I would like to visit without consulting the map. As a result we seemed to walk miles around Brighton.
The botanical curiosities above and the framed bugs are by Linsay Pol and Mark Oliver.
I thought they were humorous but also exquisitely done.
Back in the studio I've been working on some tureens. I am enjoying working on these. I wish I had a better camera so that I could take my own photos of birds. We get wonderful birds coming into our garden onto the bird feeders and plants. I have tried photographing them but my camera just isn't up to it!
Below are teapots that came out of the kiln on Thursday and some jugs that didn't make the grade for The Ancient Mariner.

Ancient Mariner

Thought I would quickly photograph these whilst I remember. Last year I took very few photographs so I am trying to record what I do this year. I have not really got to grips with this theme in the way I would like to. I feel I am only now developing some ideas and it's time to move on. I have played fairly safe with these but wish I had been more humorous with the theme.

Playing with templates

Today I was looking at this bowl. I made it many years ago when the children were little and I had very little time to pot. My work really starts in my sketch book and for some of the work I make templates. This is because when doing sgraffito mistakes can't be rectified so it's good to get the image in the right place. Also I like the process of making the templates. It tends to make me simplify the images. Even cutting them out helps to reduce them to a clear,simple image. Otherwise I think my work might get very detailed.
I have my trusty 'bird' scissors to aid in the process.
I had hoped to find the template for the ship in the bowl but I had thrown it away. But in looking for the template I realise that I have scores of templates. So I got some blu tac out and stuck some onto a sheet of paper.


I am thinking that I want to make a very large pot and put lots of these images on. Just have to get to grips with throwing large!

Another short week!!

Just a quick peep at what I am doing this week. I took my eldest son back to university on Monday so yet another short week. My damp cupboard is yet again full of work waiting to be decorated so I must get out to the studio and get stuck in! Probably the biggest decision I may have to make today is what to select to listen to on the computer whilst I am working.