Folding clay

As I didn't get the results I wanted from making marks into the clay I decided too again throw rings and cut through the wall to make a strip that could then be folded.  This gave me a much more natural organic effect. Although still not exactly what I was looking for I was still very pleases with the result.

Exploration in clay

What interests me most is the circular filter.  I love the way it is warped, slightly squashed and pushed out of shape, it has changed from its initial form and become something new and more interesting.  I am particularly drawn to the folds is the filter and began by trying to recreate them in clay.   Some of my efforts are more successful than others but I think that they are all interesting.   I began by throwing a ring and carved into the clay to try to recreate the lines the folds recreated.  This turned out to look too forced and had a kind of stiffness and sharpness and just didn't give me the effect I was looking for.

Old Filters

Here are the filters I've been looking at for the last few weeks.   I have done quite a few drawings of them and when I remember my camera I will post some of them. I am working out in clay the elements that initially drew me to these objects. The first batch went into a bisque firing today so fingers crossed I'll have a good result on Wednesday

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Inis Óirr, July 2011

These are some photos I took on the island while visiting my daughter when she was at the summer college.  We couldn't have picked a more beautiful day to visit her and it was like going abroad with the heat, the brilliant sunshine, the white sand and the turquoise water.  Although I may not use thes pictures this year I'm sure I'll be returning to them for inspiration at a later date.