Sapphire Blue

The story of the Sapphire Blue

A few months ago I mixed a glaze by the promising name Sapphire Blue. I was surprised to find out that the glaze came out of the kiln actually green. I thought I probably made a mistake while 

mixing the glaze, by omitting the Cobalt Carbonate while talking on the phone or something.

original sapphire blue

I tried to mix the original one again, this time in a very small amount, and it did came out a  beautiful sapphire Blue.

Very happy, I made a whole new bucket of the first glaze, and changed the name to Sapphire Green.

This time it came out pale orange.

Therefore, I have mixed 3 more litters of the glaze,  repeating very carefully the original recipe; the Sapphire Blue.  If I can't get the Blue again, at least I'll have a beautiful green, but no, not me…

Yesterday I've started a Glazing day, this time with taking photos of every piece after every step, so I can track what I did, when the dishes come out of the kiln.

What a shame

when I looked over the photos I have found out that I used the old bucket with the wrong glaze again… the one that came out orange…

mean time, I have already glazed 6 pieces. 

and also two large vases

spots of the right glaze on top of wrong glaze

I did put some spots of the "right" glaze on top. Now I am waiting to see what a surprise  will come out of the kiln this time... 

Paris Series

 

 

from Paris Series 6/16 21x15 cm each,
acrylic and oil on paper

         

Paris Series 5/16

 
        It is too cold to work with clay, and too risky to turn on the kiln (because of thunderstorms), so I started to document and make inventory of the thousands paintings and drawings I have in the studio.

As a "serial" painter, I always paint more than one painting at a time, whether it is on canvases or paper. When it is on canvas it is very easy of course to track them, and put them together, but when papers involved, I find it very difficult to keep series together all the time. They tend to get lost between drawers, and some times even get lost completely. Probably because I have sold them and could not remember, or gave them as presents, or God knows where they are hiding.

 

Paris Series 2/16

Paris Series 1/16

Inventory could be a good solution, and also a good way to spend the time in a cold day.

Paris Series 4/16

Paris Series 15/16

 Mean while the new jars are already dry enough to upload them as soon as the storm stops.

Winter time

leather hard stage

I didn't write for ages, but I did work a lot in all kind of techniques

painting

sgrafito

mixing glazes

Before and After

I am acctually in the mood of BIG things, thus I am putting more and more clay on my throwing-wheel, so my dishes become wider, and higher.

in process

Winter is here

it's already cold and windy outside I hope the rain will come too

Spring is in the air



spring is in the air



Time passes so quickly; the spring is already here; each day brings different weather; one day is cold, one day is hot, one day is cloudy, and the other day is hazy;

all of these changes are very similar to my mood which gets high and creative one day, or low and sad in the next, nevertheless, the spring also brings with it so many colors; the new growth of the fields, the countless flowers and the tiny little buds which all of them have enormous affect on me…

sgraffito

My father, who is in his 90th year, and is very ill, wants "more years to live", but I do not think he is really enjoys his days anymore. That makes me wonder about the gift called life, and the surprise that is waiting under the next layer.

sgraffito

Each day I attend my studio with enough strength to create new things. It goes a bit slower than I used to, but I still have made many new works.

mishima

I am trying to cope with taking photos of the works, at least for a memoire; but sometimes they're being bought before, and that's makes me very happy, but then I do not have any remembrance of them.

playing with glazes



Still have a lot to learn

slip with 3% cobalt oxide

I started with tiles so I can do some ceramic work, even when I am tired. I thought it is like painting which is my second nature, and therefore it must be easy for me.

Well, it isn't exactly like painting, and what's came out of the kiln, wasn't exactly what I have expected.

I guess that like other things, there are no shortcuts, and I have to learn about layers, about the quality of the lines, about the different colors, and what's happening to them during the fire.





slip with different oxides












New year, new look of the studio, and some new works

My daughter and some of her friends are celebrating the New Year eve in the dining room, and since I am "forced" to stay in my study room, I found it as a good opportunity to write a few words.

First of all, Thank you so much for your comments, and wishes. I feel much better now, and am ready for the new year.

I also would like to congratulate you all for the new coming year, may you all have a great creative year, lots of joy from your work, and lots of health.

For the last couple of weeks, I am working again; although not yet with a full engine, but a few hours a day. At first I reorganized the studio which looks now much more like a gallery.

Since people starting to come in, I must make as quickly as possible enough works, to fill again the shelves.

When I get tired I draw on tiles; not sure yet how they will look after firing them...