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artist experiments Outside surface quality work in progress

Incidental slip effects

My slow burning, smoke firing journey continues….

swirl pattern in a bucket of thick pottery slip

One of the most satisfying outcomes has been the incidental surfaces and effects that appear when I’ve been getting creative applying a slip resist to the surface of my bisque fired ware.

In an attempt to echo the experimental way I manipulate freshly thrown form, I’ll often take a thick brush loaded with slip and flick it at the poor unsuspecting pots. Most of it hits the target but there is also a considerable amount that doesn’t! Splash-back and wayward slip often deposit on the work surface, floor and pretty much everything in a five mile radius!

pottery slip bucket and lid

Below are some examples of chance and incidental slip landings – one of which looks remarkably like the surface of the moon. Wonder if I could replicate the effect on the surface of a pot? Maybe a moon jar!?

pottery slip splatters on a wooden board at jon williams studio in herefordshirecircular board covered in thick pottery slip at ceramic artists jon williams studio near the malvern hills

Categories
experiments Interactive art

A smaller smoke fired snail

Sit’s nicely in the palm this one. Love the markings produced by smoke permeating the layers of clay resist.

smoke fired rocking snail by ceramic artist jon williams

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garden sculpture Interactive art Outside

Snails rocking out

A family of ceramic snails rocking out across the studio floor.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Jon Williams (@jon_williams_potter)

These garden sculptures were exhibited at the amazing Sculpture at Kingham Lodge 1-9 May 2021.

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artist Exhibitions garden sculpture Outside

Fish on a stick

Not sure what’s the collective term for a pot full of ceramic fish!?

three pottery fish on metal rods by herefordshire artist jon williams

This shoal will be swimming at the magnificent Sculpture at Kingham Lodge exhibition. 1-9 May 2021. 

Set in 5 acres of beautiful grounds, over 400 sculptures are displayed as you would like to see them in your own garden. Prices start at £10 so there is something for everyone!

The exhibition is part of the wider Oxfordshire Art Week and although entrance is free to Kingham, you do have to book your viewing slot due to covid-19 restrictions.

underbelly of ceramic fish by jon williams

Categories
experiments surface quality

Far far away….

A beautiful galaxy appeared in the slip bucket lid!!!

blue slip bucket lid looking like a constellation of stars

 

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artist experiments Interactive art work in progress

Blue shell

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artist garden sculpture Outside surface quality

Ancient oak slab

a weathered and textured oak slab at eastnor pottery herefordshire

This gnarly ‘ol slab of oak has been gently decaying in the Pottery garden for the last 10 years or so.

It was initially used to display several of my discovery pots – lidded, thrown cylinders containing fresh clay and a note encouraging the ‘discoverer’ to make something and leave it in the pot. Little creativity traps! A few days later, I collected the models, took them back to the Pottery, fired them and exhibited the results online.

The elements and time have worked their magic on the wood and I adore the range of texture and colour of the decomposing timber.

a weathered and textured oak slab at eastnor pottery herefordshirea weathered and textured oak slab at eastnor pottery herefordshirea weathered and textured oak slab at eastnor pottery herefordshirea weathered and textured oak slab at eastnor pottery herefordshire

 

 

Categories
experiments surface quality

Thorny Charcoal

thorny charcoal sticks created by burning pruned rose bushes by herefordshire artist jon williams

These thorny sticks of charcoal are an inspiring bi-product of recent smoke firing and sagger experiments.

They originated as garden waste, pruned from my father in law’s rose bush and contributed to the marks and effects on this little pot.

I’m marveling at the texture and shape of the charred, blackened twigs and excited by the possibilities of using them in my work.

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experiments work in progress

Sagging saggers

broken saggers used in the fire place by potter jon williams to decorate his pots with smoke

I think its time to retire these ol’ saggers! #kintsugi anyone?

Also… not sure what the shiny black stuff is on the inside the one on the left – tar or creosote maybe? Whatever it is I like it!! ???

Categories
experiments garden sculpture Interactive art Outside surface quality work in progress

Snail pace!

Taking time to appreciate the subtle effects of layering and wiping away slip decoration…. 

detail of rocking snail ceramic sculpture by jon williams the flying potter from herefordshire

At the moment, these snail sculptures are at the leather hard stage (my favorite!) and still have to dry for a couple of weeks before going in the kiln.

close up of a rocking ceramic snail by jon williams the flying potter

Once they’ve been fired, the snails are to be exhibited at several garden sculpture exhibitions later this year.

As with a lot of my work, these pieces have an interactive element. Visitors will be able to gently rock the snails back and forth to create rhythmic sounds.