Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Clay lotus



When we lived in Verrierdale (8 months ago) we visited a restaurant called Bohemian Bungalow in Eumundi. I took a photo of this amazing ceramic lotus tealight holder, that was sitting on our table and had visions of making a bunch for our own place.


Well, that didn't exactly pan out but I did make one which sat unpainted on Ben's clay table gathering dust for way too long. If you don't know making ceramics involves two firing, one is called bisque where you fire the clay and it comes out hard and then you paint it and fire again! With Ben doing a degree in ceramics this year and seeing him constantly working on clay, I finally painted that sucker. I bought some pooling glaze which I didn't paint on thick enough but I think it was still saved by the nice thick gloss I lathered on.

This little clay lotus (a year in the making) had got me thinking - I could do better than that! So one day Ben and I went to the park and played with clay. I completely forgot that I was meant to leave room for a tealight though - oops but I still really like the new design of this guy



the unfired above and below...

All finished after two firings! I watered down some purple paint for him because I wanted a watercolour-esque effect :)

Today I just finished sculpting my third lotus - slight obsession!  I tried to go back more to the original inspiration but he is definitely the most fragile of the three so I'm a little scared he might break in the firing process - clay is hard (in more ways than one). I shall definitely post photos if he does survive - wish me (or him!) luck :) 

I also made two other flower-esque things. Even though not graveyard related that post seems to have influenced me floral wise :)

12 comments:

  1. So beautiful! I love the watercolour look. Can't wait to see what else you make.

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    1. aww thank-you! Now here's really hoping they don't break into a million pieces :P

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  2. Gorgeous. I used to do ceramics when I was a kid and I constantly miss it. Thing is, I'm not even sure what I'd make if I took it up again.

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    1. When we have friends around and we play with clay everyone always has that thought but everyone always makes cool things :) I think there is something about the medium that if you roll it around in your hands long enough something appears!

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  3. it's gorgeous fee! Wow! there is a children's fable in korea about a girl who appears out of a lotus flower. actually she was sacrificed because her dad couldn't pay a debt back?? and then she reappeared in a lotus flower and a prince fell in love with her. lol - so typical right?

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    1. Thanks Jane! A prince fell in love with her and then she said, "hey I just appeared out of a lotus flower I have the power!" he he he he. Feminist re-takes on classic fables?!? I'll admit sometimes I just want the romance though :)

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  4. oh my, it's soooo prettty. love the watercolour effect, and honestly that look so much better than the one in the restaurant :)

    Sharon

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    1. oh wow that's super nice for you to say *big grin* :) :)

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  5. It's so so so so so pretty! Love the colors you chose, much prettier to my eye than the original in the restaurant. I've never had any ceramics experience but I find it very intimidating, brave & skillful couple you are!

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    1. Aww thanks Damaris! Ben paid me out for the black tips I did (they were meant to turn out more gold) but I think overall it came out pretty :) You should definitely have a play with clay one day (it rhymes!!) I'm sure you have a big to-do list though already!

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