This is a special class dedicated to using local materials on the surface of our ceramics. The course is as much an artistic and creative exploration, as it is a deep dive into the mad-chemistry and geology that informs the minerals of our landscape.
Ceramics has for millennia been an expression of regional geology, so foraging our own materials connects us to the origins of this craft.
Historically, local clays and minerals defined function and firing temperatures. Local minerals were used on the surface communicating their unique regional character in cultural designs. Only with the reach of global resource trading and extractive technologies have mass mined materials given us the predictable “white and bright”.
If we are interested in working with earth pigments and other raw materials found on the landscape, we must be curious and open to what is and isn’t possible. Seeing how the minerals we have gathered interact with the surface of our clay pots is a rewarding and constantly fascinating process.
As ceramists, we will not be able to entirely forage the extensive library of materials provided by the global ceramics industry. BUT.. there are a lot of minerals and usable materials around that can substitute or enhance commercial products, as well as be made into simpler recipes entirely on their own. Clay slips, terra sigillatas, and simple glazes are all possible without buying commercial products. Both of these approaches infuse our pottery with a sense of place!
The experimentation is part of the fun, because as we build familiarity with these ingredients, we begin to anticipate possible combinations and find surprising results.
The three surface applications we will discuss and practice are slips, terra sigillatas, and glazes. Slips and terra sigs are fine, liquid clay paints applied during the “greenware” stage before the pottery is bisque fired. Glazes are a combination of glass containing minerals and fluxing agents that melt a colored surface on the pots and are applied to bisqued pottery or greenware.
The weekend will include many hands on activities, including processing pigments, clays, and other materials for application. We will build simple greenware pinch pots and practice a few slip techniques.
Weekend Overview: January 17th + 18th
Saturday: Foraging, Processing + Application of Slips and Terra Sigs
On Saturday, we will hand-process pigments, clays, and other materials for application and build simple greenware pinch pots to practice various slip techniques. We will discuss how and where to forage for earth pigments, as well as what to look for on the landscape. You are welcome to prep and bring you own leather hard pots or make small pinch pots during class. The pots will be bisque fired once dry and available for pick up the next week. We will not be foraging during the class.
Sunday: Deep Dive into Glazing with Foraged Materials & Glaze Products
On Sunday, we will explore the fascinating world of natural glazes, break down what glazes are made of and how to find common commercial ingredients in their raw form on the land. We will look at examples of different materials and fired pottery to see how they interact at cone 6 temps and how application of glazes, as well as, temperature and holds during firing effect our results. During class, we will make line blend test bars and practice mixing and applying a few glazes to be picked up once fired.
Cost $165
Hosted by Wildling Collaborative Arts in Eugene Oregon