Testing to get a Color

As many of you know my pottery does have a lot of color. But getting those bright colors at mid fire range is not always easy. I struggled for the longest time to get red and after getting that 2 years back, I started on my mission to get maroon. I don't know why I do this to myself. :)

My inspiration was again from Indian fabrics. And the color maroon (a very deep red) was stuck in my head since my wedding actually (almost 8 years back). It was the color of my wife's dress she wore on the engagement night. You can see the clipping below. At that time I didn't know I wanted it on my pots but I knew I liked the color.

So after 20 -30 tests and failing at every one of them, I finally get my maroon. Most of the time the color just faded when I fired and lost its deep look. But now I finally like what I have. Check out these pots with the maroon accent.

In a way, it was time that my testing came to a conclusion. The color feature maroon was done this week on my blog and my mom sent me this beautiful bed spread in raw silk which is again rich dark maroon with gold, yellow and orange embroidery done all over.

Travel Entry: Kala Ghoda Exhibition

Here is my next entry regarding my trip. Few days in Mumbai and I found out about the Kala Ghoda exhibition (Black horse exhibition). It had handicrafters from all over the country and it was such a pleasure going through the booths.

I met some great potters there and had a good time chatting with them, one of whom was Rekha Bajpae.

The pottery there was very different than what is typically seen at shows in the US. I saw more emphasis on decorative pottery than functional. The tiny pots in the picture below were just adorable. (selling for less than a dollar)

The picture below is of some of the functional pottery. The jars are usually used for pickles or yoghurt.
As many of you know, I am very fascinated by color. India sure is a land of colors and I beleive that is the reason color is embeeded in my brain. The next two pictures below show the use of color. Majority of the booths were filled with color like this. Especially the fabric ones. Bright saturated colors just all over the place.

Here are some clutch purses decorated with bright colored and embroidered fabric.

Check for more updates next week on Thursday!

Color of the Week: Bright Orange

Last week we had 1200+ views and one sale!!

This week the color is Bright Orange and I have selected 8 bright Etsy artists here. Do check out their shops.

If you would like to enter for a Color Feature on my blog,

Leave a comment on this blog telling me your favorite items from this week's feature.
and

Post your item matching next week's color, "Black" (Color swatch below) in this Etsy Forum

Color of the Week: Buttery Cream

Last week we had 1100+ views and let's get even more this week!!

This week the color is Buttery Cream and we have a great collection of Etsy artists here. Do check out their shops. Since there were such amazing items I decided to feature 10 instead of 8 artists.

If you would like to enter for a Color Feature on my blog,

Post your item matching next week's color, "Bright Orange" (Color swatch below) in this Etsy Forum
and
Leave a comment on this blog telling me your favorite items from this week's feature.

Busy getting ready for Summer Shows

I have been crazy busy getting work ready for Wholesale orders and for upcoming Summer shows (Edmonds Arts Festival, Gig Harbor Summer Art Festival). My studio has been going through cycles of making, decorating, bisque firing, glazing and then glaze firing. The pricing and packing is still left to do and should be done this weekend.
During this busy process, I have been enjoying every kiln load and wanted to share pictures of what is happening in my studio.

Bisque pieces ready to be wax resisted and glazed

Pieces glazed after dipping and spraying to get different shades
Some pieces right out from the kiln

Color of the week: Steel Blue

Thanks to tweeters/facebookers/forum writters/featured artists, last week we have 1500+ views. That is 3 times more than before!!! And we had 3 sales!!

This week the color is Steel Blue and we have a great collection of Etsy artists here. Do check out their shops. Thank you all for your submissions.

If you would like to enter for a Color Feature on my blog,

Post your item matching next week's color, "Cream" (Color swatch below) in this Etsy Forum

and

Leave a comment on this blog telling me your favorite items from this week's feature.

My work on AMACO Facebook

This is a short entry to annonce that my work is featured on AMACO Facebook page
Paul Andrew Wandless, awesome artist and author of "Image Transfer on Clay" and "Alternative Kilns and Firing Techniques" found my work via facebook and offered to post it on AMACO's facebook page.
I use Amaco's Velvet underglazes and fire to Cone 6. The colors still remain bright and make my work really pop!

Color of the week: Sea Green

Last week's Color Feature received 500+ views and 1 item sold!!

Thanks everyone for entering for this Week's featured color Sea Green. With so many entries it was really hard to choose.

If you would like to enter for a Color Feature on my blog,

Post your item matching next week's color, "Steel Blue" (Color swatch below) in this Etsy Forum
and
Leave a comment on this blog telling me your favorite items from this week's feature.