Thursday, April 12, 2012

A dragon update ...

For those of you out there worrying about the progress of my intern Alex's dragon ... here's what's happening. A quick glance at the photo should show you the telltale pink of bisque-fired brown stoneware. The dragon dried for about three weeks and then did 48 hours in a 160-degree kiln before a very sloooooowww bisque a couple of days ago. Voila! An intact dragon. I love it when a plan comes together.
The next step is glazing in a carbon-trap Shino, a green ash and perhaps a bit of copper red on the tongue, and then the glaze firing. After that, the project has to be delivered to the Cape Cod Museum of Art to be part of the may student/mentor show. Alex has done a great job with this project and, though we're not over the hump entirely, surviving the bisque is a big step.

I'll be piecing out the glaze firing next week with yet more teabowls. God help me, I can't stop making faceted teabowls. Anybody want one?

7 comments:

Anna M. Branner said...

I'm so excited that The Dragon has made it this far! I have my fingers crossed.

cookingwithgas said...

the girl has real tallent and you are doing such a good job helping her through the steps.
I can't wait to see this guy finished!

ang design said...

what a stunning piece!! congrats to your intern...love to see it at the show!! and of course who wouldn't love a Hollis facetted bowl!

Unknown said...

Fantastic project~ she is lucky to have a good mentor to help her out!
Love your tea bowls ~ keep on them!

Tracey Broome said...

Your glazes and kiln are going to work their magic on that wonderful dragon! Can't wait to see it completed!!

smartcat said...

That is one fine dragon....how appropriate in this year of the dragon.

Toes crossed that all continues to go well.

Michèle Hastings said...

YAY!