It has been a while since I have written in my blog. Christmas has come and gone with lots of wonderful time with family. I have spent time replenishing energy and spirit in Rossland. Rossland is a winter wonderland where the snow is fabulous and the trails secluded. Crosscountry skiing brings peace and renewal.
When I got home I fired the masks I had been working on before I left. The height of the masks range from 25 to 25 cm.
The turtle is a pinch pot with a slab built shell.
Slab is a very versitile skill as you have seen. Coil pot building is an ancient technique that is also very useful. It can be used as the only technique or combined with slab or pinch.
This pot is made by placing the coils in a mold, a bowl lined with plastic. Once the clay dries, you can easily lift the coil bowl out of the mold.
This dog is a combination of coil legs, slab body and pinch head.
Yes you can make your own buttons out of clay.
The buttons have oxide wash or a low fire glaze. They are around 4 cm across.
The masks may be more complex with carving or added features.
Simpler projects for younger kids could use stamps and cookie cutters to make hanging art and mobiles.
The first project the kids will make will be name tiles. This will introduce them to clay and how to handle it. They will cut out shapes, impress designs, and personalize their tile.
The same slab technique could be used for more complex projects such as masks and light houses.
A new venture –starting in January, I will be spending 2 days a week working with kids and clay. As Artist in Residence for Prospect School I will work with all the classes, kids from kindergarten to grade 5 level, teaching some basic skills for working with clay. Of course there will be play and discovery leading to each student producing a piece of art.
The basic techniques that will be introduced are: slab work, coiling and pinch pots. The kids will imprint and mark the clay as well they will use coloured slips and a transparent glaze to add some permanence to their piece.
This is a very busy time with an upcoming show in December, completing specific orders and preparing for Artist in Residence for January 2010.
First the show… December 5th and 6th.
From 1:00 to 3:00 each day
Where: 922 Nicholson Street
Victoria, BC
Telephone:250-479-8559
Email: alexanders@telus.net
I have sorted pots, made paper cranes and sent out invitations (both surface and e-mail) and hand delivered when possible. 
I was lucky to see a demonstration by a potter from Crete. She rolled out clay to make a cylinder, added a bottom. This simple shape formed the body of the jar. The jar’s lid is a circle of clay molded over the cylinder like a collar and a head attached, featureless with hair etched into the clay and ring to make a crown (figure 1). The result has the appearance of a traditonal form. After making a few jars following her directions, I began to make changes. At first I used the wheel to ‘throw’ the body shape — now less cylinder and more bell like. The figure seemed to need more distinctive facial features, thus I began to sculpture the head adding nose, mouth, eyes, chin , cheeks and ears. The headdress became more elaborate as did the hair (figure 2 and 3). These jars are water tight and food safe – functional.
This is the first blog, an introduction!
I am a potter– my work is functional thus useful, holds liquids and food safe. I strive to create shapes that are simple, elegant and somewhat unusual. I use a variety of colours in my glaze palette both bold and subtle. Some work is carved with intricate designs and some painted with coloured slips.
Alexander Pottery Blog 