Second Firing

Detail of Bowl

"If at first you dont succeed try try again!"

That is my motto as of now. After the first firing got back in to the book and tried to learn more and figure out where I had gone wrong. Was it the glazes? or was it the firing? guess it was a combination of both. My experience lies in firing a wood kiln and I know that the fire works the same no matter the fuel but for some reason the fact that a gas kiln is different seems to have been stuck in my head and I dont seem to able to look beyond. Like I mentioned in my earlier post with each firing I do hope to get wiser.

Bisque pieces getting ready for next firing.

Results form second firing!!

Trinkets

Kerala mural inspiration bowl

Yes there is much attempt at trying to replicate the Kerals murals in ceramics. I do hope to succeed! More of the trials coming up.

Detail of a tile

Tiles galore!

Some more Murals

Lotus pond and Bamboo

Etched leaves

Leaf mosaic

Yes I am pleased but not jumping with joy. With hope that it will get better with time.

First Glaze Firing!

Finally results from the long awaited First Glaze firing. My sincere apologies to all.

My first firing was not what I had expected, disappointed I was. That could be the reason why I had not followed through. Had to get the next one right to get to blog again. I have a long way to go, before I start to understand the workings of my kiln and the vice versa. Of course the Glazes too! Then it is a beginning of a long relationship. The joy of working with clay make's it worth the while.

My Kiln

Results of the first firing!!

Etched Leaves

Testing Kerala Murals

Louts Pond

The glazes are bit in the rough but fired all the same. More in the next.

First Glaze Firing

Many thanks guys, your response has given me the motivation to write more. For those of you who don't follow Pottery, a few steps that are followed in the process of making a ceramic piece.

Preparation of clay, Making of the ceramic piece in clay, firing in a kiln to a temperature of 850 degree C (in potters terms bisque firing) next comes applying colors (glazing) and finally another firing going to a temperature of 1280 degree C ( glaze firing). It is a long drawn process but when the kiln in opened after the final firing and if the work turns out the way you want it, the satisfaction is very fulfilling.

I had recently bought a gas kiln, yesterday I had my first fully loaded glaze firing. The firing took much longer than expected a good 14 hrs. Much of my pottery years have been spent firing a wood kiln and I must say it is quiet different from a gas kiln in terms of involvement. While in wood I would be required to be planted in front of the kiln, the gas kiln allowed me to do a lot more things while the firing was going on. Like keeping and eye and running behind my son Guru who is up to mischief the minute you turn back on him. Much thanks for the support from my mother in law who is trying to understand what the running about the clay and kiln is all about and also to a cat who seems to have adopted us and is of course providing A class entertainment for Guru.

Tomorrow will be one more day to go before I open my kiln, need to let the pieces cool after the firing so they don.t crack. And when I do open it, will be sure to post some photos as well. So folks do stay tuned in.

Writers Block

Many of you who have wandered off in to this spot must be wondering what this blog is all about and for those of you who know me, must be wondering what it is I actually do. Looking at the spot you must be still wondering what it is I actually do. Pictures showing flowers and title stating cup and saucers, not even one flower pot in sight to certify the Ceramics in sushmaceramics. I do intend to change that. After braving the storms in my head and mustering up enough courage to post something in my blog. So here goes;

My basic qualification states that I am an artist, with B.A. Fine arts as my educational qualification. After which I decided to branch out in to ceramics (always liked the feels of mud, clay in my hands). Which I managed to pursue with great determination for a good 5 years and then fell in to the net called marriage and children (will not say I am sorry though, my life has more meaning now).

Now after a mighty long break of 5 years I have decided to not let my little known skills ebb away from my finger and have rolled up my sleeves to get muddy again.

the picture that you see is of one of my more recent works, or should I say my coming back in to the art world. Inspiration? I found oodles of it when I stayed for 8 months in Kodaikanal to get back in to the swing of things.

I will sign off now but rest assured there is more on the way, do pay a visit every now and then to see updates.