Here are some images of new pieces in my colored clay series that I plan to enter in an upcoming contest.  I also lost two large vases that cracked from heat stress in the firing, “haste makes waste.” I typically fire up at 400 degrees/hr with no problems but these large pieces were too close to the burners.

Colored clay bowl cracked while drying

There are always challenges in ceramics, an endless learning.  With colored clay you must consider the compatibility, drying and shrinkage of the various clays involved.  This is a test piece using Laguna’s ‘Frost 10′ body.  Another one just like it survived drying and two cups out of 6 also cracked.  My best guess is that the layered, highly compressed clay needs to be dampened and wiggled as it’s shaped to relieve tension in the clay particle matrix. Drying upside down to speed shrinkage in the bottom is also an idea.

Slab carved colored clay cups

Here are a couple of cups from the same series, thin multi-layered colored clay.  I love the visual complexity, clarity, and intensity of colored clay design.  In 25 years of making pots I’ve never felt this way before, I’ve found my “thing.”

I couldn’t resist this picture of Malone goofing at the studio.  I just figured out how to put pictures up after several failures.  Now on to pottery

Brandon & Henry at 2 1/2

Our beloved son and grandson.