One thing that I have learnt on my ceramics journey is that planning ceramic pieces doesn’t really seem to be for me. I know that sometimes this is necessary, but when I can I like to just, well, wing it. I’m not sure whether what I create comes from half formed ideas in the back of my head or whatever randomly seems to pop in when I sit down with a piece of clay. Either way, I enjoy just making it up as I go along. This is as true as for sculpture making as it is for pieces to illustrate.
Like a Bat Out of Hell
Recently I took this approach and created this double headed bat vase. This one definitely was a squishy concept floating around my brain before hand. However, it’s only when I sat down that the form and the style took shape.
The piece is made from two pinch pots joined together. The details are added on through slip and scoring. It is important to try and ensure that all elements of your piece are strong and sturdy. Enough to withstand handling at their most vulnerable stages throughout the multiple firing processes. They must also be joined to the main piece with care. These steps prevent chips and cracks to the piece either whilst it’s in the kiln or whilst it’s being handled in between. On this piece the ears are the weakest point, but I am hopeful that they will survive. Sometimes you just need to take risks, and it helps to be able to recognise what risks you are taking in order to make this decision.
I am pleased with where this piece is so far. It’s playful and reminds me a bit of an Aardman model. I am as yet undecided as how to colour the piece, although I do have some ideas. As always though, I know inspiration will hit me when I sit down with the piece and I’ll be excited to see the results.