canteen vases (side A)I am in a bit of a pickle here...I am not sure if I want to glaze these vases. You see, I glaze fire them twice. The first glaze is on the inside of the vase. It makes them water tight but the glaze I use for the inside of the vases is a pain in the butt and if I am not super duper careful applying it on the outside of the vases I can have all sorts of problems with it. My solution is to use a different glaze (which requires a second different temperature firing) on the outside of the vases which is much more cooperative and really gives the vases a punch of color. I really love the way they look without the glaze (I have always been a fan of non shiny ceramics). I am not sure if I want to glaze the outside of the vases at all now. Unglazed they communicate "clay" and the drawings are warm with a sepia undertone which will disappear once the glaze is applied and fired on. They are beautiful glazed too. I guess what I am wondering is what is your opinion? Would you, could you appriciate a ceramic vase that had a dry surface? Oh to glaze or not to glaze...that is the question. Remember they are already glazed on the inside so they are water tight.
I need your responses fast as I have to decide what to do by tomorrow.
(To get a larger view click on the images)
Thanks!!
canteen vases (side B)
22 comments:
They're spendid as they are. Not to glaze!
They are beautiful unglazed. There's nothing wrong with them saying "clay." I think it is appropriate with the artist's hand that is so evident in your drawings and the slightly imperfect shapes of your molds.
Hi Diana, I recently purchased some little vases which were left unglazed on the outside and I love them. They feel great for a start!!
You should do what feels right for you though if you are leaning towards unglazed, then it is worth giving it a go.
unglazed! I think these would work really well unglazed on the outside, I love the way unglazed ceramics feels, and it would contrast really well with the shiny interior.
I say go for it! They are beautiful as they are, the sepia colour is wonderful. :-)
Leave unglazed if you are sure they won't ooze. Sometimes even fired fully glazed pieces can leave a damp spot if the clay hasn't fully vitrified. To check, fill with water and leave for a couple of days and then check underneath. Just don't leave it on a antique piece of furniture until you're sure it's safe :)
unglazed is "organic" beauty,
my only question would be if the natural clay would become a bit dusty and hard to keep clean-looking over time. this art should be enjoyed for many, many years!
Oh these vases are stunning Diana! I love your work glazed, but I really love these too- they have such a different feeling to them- understated, timeless, lighter somehow. I think you should indulge your whim and leave them unglazed.
I think as long as nothing would rub off or fade on the outside with them being unglazed, if you love them unglazed, go with your gut.
That said, personally, if I had to choose between one of your unglazed vases or glazed vases for my home, I think I would be more inclined to use a glazed vase, because it wouldn't feel as delicate to me...while an unglazed vase would probably sit on a shelf or table and look fabulous, but might not get used.
Good luck:)
I'm a fan of the "matte-look" in pottery. I love the organic feel of the clay on a non-glazed pot. My vote is: No, do not glaze.
Love your blog and your work is just amazing!
I love the look of clay. I think you should try to NOT glaze the exterior of these vases. You may love them more, everyone may love them more. It is your work, you should do what you want to do. (This coming from someone who has just produced an entire kiln load of work that is only glazed on the inside and about 1/2 the way down leaving exposed clay at the bottom - and it looks great!).
:) Cheryl
Diana, I think the vases are perfect as they are. You need not glaze the outside. Like you, I prefer the matte finish. You have outdone yourself with these cantene vases. I am sooo in love with them!
If they're water tight on the inside, I vote for leaving them unglazed on the outside. Your work is beautifully hand drawn that just begs for a more enhanced tactile experience of unglazed bisque. I suppose a part of this would depend what temp your firing to, and what kind of clay you're using but I say why not leave these unglazed as an experiment?
Leave as is. I think they look scrumptuous.
Diana, I don't even know you, so I feel a little weird offering a critique via your comments, but love your work and stop by this blog occasionally to see what you're up to...
anyway, I've always wondered what your work would be like unglazed or with a more matte glaze. The drawings are spectacular, but the glossy glaze is a little like a cellophane wrapper. It lets me see what's underneath, but I can't quite touch it or see the every detail.
In the photos the vases look rich and soft without the clear glaze. I love them that way.
I vote no glaze. I love the fresh, direct feeling of the unglazed, non-shiny surface. Particularly because these are vases and won't be handled a lot, the problem of dirt-attracting oil and fingerprints won't be an issue.
I sometimes carve through white slip over red earthenware and I am as never as satisfied with the glazed finished piece as I am when it is freshly carved.
Why can't you use the outside glaze as the liner glaze and fire once? Not that I am advocating glazed exteriors, mind you.
Really nice vases, btw.
for me...I love the look of an unglazed surface just as I prefer textiles out of a frame rather than covered by glass....somehow they seem mmore real that way...ceramics in the raw....commercially though? that's another matter! ....sorry that's probably not much help!
forgot to add ...and had to say...the work looks fabulous. I'm a big fan!
I think as long as they're water-tight, it would be fine not to glaze the outside. Could be a new line, maybe.
unless there is a practical reason to glaze them, leave them be!
unglazed!
Unglazed and matt ceramics are amongst my favourites...
I do know this - either way, they are splendid! xo
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