COLD HEART MELLOW

COLD HEART MELLOW
low fire ceramic
sprayed on finishes
winter 2014-15

This is the most massive piece I have built to date. I don't think that bigger is better, and making large work requires a different skill set that may not be my forte. I had to be careful not to force it but I still wanted to take the risk of working larger.  This was fun to build, and once the pieces were at the consistency where I could build with them I had to work fast to make sure it didn't dry out and become brittle.

This also marks the first time I am not keeping the piece monochromatic. I am much more excited about the notion of moving away from single colored finishes than I am about working large.  Color is always a struggle and this seemed effortless so I'm not even gonna try and explain it.  Regardless, as far as the size goes I am still trying to find that sweet spot.

BLANK VERITY

BLANK VERITY
low fire ceramic with deep purple finish
work date 2014

As the work gets larger I learn more about generating these forms as one solid piece. I'm always excited at the opening of a kiln to see the piece survive as one solid form.

I recently dropped off/picked up this piece from a regional show about an hour away from Baltimore (in silver spring) at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. Of course on both occasions the entire parking lot was covered in a quarter inch sheet of ice.

What's that you say? A quarter inch is not that much! False. You try carting something that delicate across less than stable terrain.

Ok so it wasn't really that bad in hindsight.

As always @m_voelker_art on instagram
check out a recent shout-out from @claycrits on instagram as well