April 2021

April marked the beginning of more systematic & detailed exploration of glaze & kiln firing; lots of trials & errors as well as attempts to perfect selected engraving & relief techniques. It’s a vast & specialist area of practice of course with seemingly infinite approaches & potential outcomes. Even ‘simple’ first step trials can be difficult & complex to achieve as many will testify. I have previously used ceramic glazes before but only in a very limited way & under the close guidance of experienced potters (who also helped fire work for me). My early (somewhat random) initial trials made use a variety of clays/slips stains rather than glaze in the main & were fired by The Firing Line. I had already decided that attempting to create & mix my own glaze recipes from scratch would be step too far within this residency timeframe. The emerging portfolio of ‘finished products’ provided the focus. Each sample required different challenges ie bisque, glazed (infill, dip/pour & hand painting). I began exploring pre-mixed commercial glazes (glaze, engobes & translucent options).

I now had sole use of a decent test kiln; this proved invaluable. It gave me the opportunity to go back to basic principles. I’ve never been in complete control of a kiln from loading, programming