Pottery Making Illustrated Articles (Simple)

Vase Design and Decoration.

To me, a huge appeal of pottery is the element of play. If I get to keep a tangible receipt of a moment in time, of curiosity and flow, or that exploration of “What will happen if I do this?” then that is a bonus.

Developing unique ceramic surfaces is what this issue is all about.

People often ask me if I plan my designs out first before I begin. My answer is that I prefer to work intuitively throughout the whole process, staying in the moment with the form.

This cup and saucer set is a playful re-imagination of a project I developed early in my undergraduate studies, where I explored historical Mayan and Aztec cacao ceremonies and the handcrafted objects that accompanied them.

I enjoy setting challenges for myself, finding solutions for them, and creating practical things with natural textures in harmonious colors. The storage jar is a perfect example of this approach.

Clay surfaces are like blank sheets of paper, eager for and receptive to so many decorative possibilities. As an artist, I’ve always loved clay but I’m also interested in printmaking.

Meet Heidi McKay Casto.

Since the beginning of my journey with ceramics, adding something to the surface has always been a constant nourishing way to keep me curious from the heartbreak that comes with the territory of being a ceramic artist.

Out in the world, what usually catches my eye are not beautiful views or sunsets or gorgeous buildings but rather patterns, textures, and surfaces.

Because of the fine particle size and lack of a fusing layer, terra sigillata, when used alone, best adheres to the clay body when applied before the bisque firing.

This issue focuses on tools and the artists who rely on them to further their practice.

My goal is to create pottery that emulates these traits. I love creating decorated functional objects that people can appreciate for both their appearance and function.

I liked the form despite its flaws and decided to revisit this old piece, letting its basic form serve as the central, repeated element in the new series.

I realized that fragility doesn’t mean you’re weak. On the contrary, when you take something considered fragile and support it in the right way (or structure it, in the case of clay), it can be stronger than you ever believed.

Handbuilding with porcelain? It is hard. But not that hard if you give your material the attention it demands.

Packed inside a toolbox are the essential tools needed to create small objects.

Many types of planters can be made from clay that is not vitrified, and they can be glazed or not.