Using textures to press into clay is one of the extremely fun things to do with clay and a technique I return to over and over. I use my own hand-made stamps, antique wood-block stamps and found objects and you can even purchase texture mats and rollers just for this--the possibilities are endless. The effects are instant and addictive, the challenge is do something with it to make it your own.
I came across a huge sale of doilies and could not resist.
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| old doilies to use for clay texture. www.cathykiffney.com |
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| Cathy Kiffney |
Pressed the doilies into the clay and painted colored slips on top.
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| process, Cathy Kiffney Studio |
I took the slip soaked doily and flipped it over onto the next slab of clay to press that color into the clay. Then painted it with a contrasting colored slip.
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| process, Cathy Kiffney Studio |
I jumped in to the process and did the most obvious-- not the most original treatment but oh, so much fun!-- And I needed a brake from challenges.
But then I was at a loss as to what to do with the beautiful textures. I decided to get back to basics and began carving into the texture my old friends, the owls.
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| Process, Cathy Kiffney |
For variety sake I used an addition technique by adding a sculpted rabbit and flowers. For the Fox piece I used a combination of carving and sculpted additions.
Jumping rabbit and tulips
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| process, Cathy Kiffney Studio |
Mr. Fox and falling leaves
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| process, Cathy Kiffney Studio |
...and of course, the birds....
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| ceramic wall hanging birds, Cathy Kiffney |
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| ceramic wall hanging birds, Cathy Kiffney |
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| wall birds, Cathy Kiffney |
