Pottery and different finishes by Kolene Spicher

Nautical Mugs with different finishes 

It has taken me some time to get this down.  I had a friend from the Harrisburg area that looked at me and said, "Pottery is humbling, isn't it!"  I couldn't agree more with her.  She's well past that humbling point in her career and is so talented.  She may or may not know how talented she is!  HAHA.  Anyways, about these mugs, I have two different types.  I finally found a clay body that was compatible with a darker clay body that will receive the slip (to paint on) that will not cause pinholes.  OMGOSH, too much info, not to mention the dozens of mugs I had to make to get it right.  Blah. 

These all look basically good, I would sell them.  They are pretty light and really there is only one visible flaw on them and it is the mug that is the third one in from the left.  It has a small crack that is surface only, meaning that the glaze went in and it sealed fast.  You can only see it on the inside and barely so because it didn't crack thru to the outside.  It is superficial.  

I included the hairline crack (that I repeat is superficial) just so that the potential buyer could buy being aware of it :)  

I am quite happy with the finish on these, and the colors are very vibrant.  The surface is entirely smooth.  The next set with the same images are thrown about the same size but the surface is flat and is meant to mimic salt glaze, but I didn't do that process.  I don't know if it is as good as the real deal, but it is the Kolene version.  I am basically an non-academic at this and it is quite daunting.  

I usually go for the shiny, but there's something I really love about this.  As my son and husband says, it reminds them of blue jeans.  I agree. 

You can really see the finish on the above cup.  Like I said, I really like it. Like the imagery, it has an old fashioned look to it.   It is deliberate and I intend (if well received) to do more.  

I adore whales... 

Here are the two finishes side by side.  

I also love how the blue from the inside slips onto the outside, a marrying of the two sides! 

Isn't the sponge gorgeous!??  

Which do you prefer?  I don't know how to get people to see this blog.  I do get some feedback but it needs updated and I am ready to try a different blog.  If someone has a suggestion which forum is better or best, please advise.  Happy Friday. 

Kolene 

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Carved Pottery by Kolene Spicher

Tree trunks, birds, ships by the sea 

Both of these pieces have been scratched or carved.  The bottom one was an early piece.  I actually like this little sheep mug.  It is not worthy of selling but I like it and intend to use it if not to drink out of to paint out of LOL.  

I am not sure how I will paint this one  It is one of many pieces that is sitting on my studio shelf.  I just look at it as it is drying and I say,  hmmm.  What should I do with this??  LOL, I have no idea but I will know one day.  It will tell me.  

This is a vase that fell.  I thought to myself, I am going to carve the heaviness and ugliness away.  I am going to perform plastic surgery on this baby and what others would trash, I will improve and help and make something beautiful with it.  Will it work?  It just might.  Tune in and see.  

I love squirrels but not in my house.  This is as close as it will get.  

I liked how when you sight across this you see a ship painted on the inside.  Don't judge the painting yet, it has to be fired and will look different.  I am hoping it will look better.  I have NO clue what it will look like after it is fired.    

Along the sea.  I named it.  If you have ever been to Nantucket, you will know that in the spring there are 1,000s of daffodils.  

 So Bloom where you are planted. 

K. Spicher 

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19th Century Reproduction Whale in Gold Oval Ornate frame and Whaling Ceramics by Kolene Spicher Pennsylvania Artist

Happy Whale with Happy Tail and

Whaling Ceramics! 

I decided today that I would post my whaling art along with my ceramics that I made to compliment my latest whale painting.  The painting is a one of a kind original in an old yummy distressed antique frame.  

The artwork speaks for itself.  All is painted with love and is UNRUSHED.  I want to enjoy my work.  I want people to feel the love that goes into what I make :) 

I made this a square cup.  It was deliberate and on purpose and I bravely took two  books and smashed the four corners.  I don't even know if that is correct.  But it's KORRECT Kolene.  

I will always love silhouettes. 

You can't see it because this is unbisqued, but the ship sails will be white and in between grey/tan.  

The Whalers! 

I haven't done it yet, but I intend to clean up that handle.  See Handles are my nemesis.  I couldn't even spell this word.  I Had to look the spelling up, but the definition remains accurate.  I struggle with handles.  I will conqueror them.  They can't be harder than _____.  

Big fat handle you will fire perfect!!! You will appear thin and be strong.  LOL

Pottery is fun.  You have to be brave to do anything exceptional.  I am trying to be brave and think out of the box.  Give me time.  

K. Spicher 

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New *POTTERY and artwork - FLOWERS - for Atlantasmart Summer 2018 by Kolene Spicher for Spicher and Co

Flower MUGS and Artwork 

Made with Love 

I have been behind.  

So let's start with the thing I finished LAST.  That way, hopefully, I can reconstruct my days.  Seriously, I need to number my days so that I can keep them straight and spend them correctly.  I really try to juggle the family with my work and fun.  I am not the most organized person and at times it's tough for me, BECAUSE of this.  Pottery has helped me because I am for the first time in about 25 years around other people when I create.  I am thankful for Audra.  She is a very industrious lady that co-runs and owns a clay studio that is local to me.  From this point forward, let it be understood that this is a process of learning for me.  What you see may not be perfect but it is heartfelt and sincere.  

This is to compliment my latest artwork for Spicher and Co.  I am NOT mass producing anything  of pottery.  These will remain one of a kind pieces :) 

I am learning that  'handles' are not so easy to make.  In reality, handles have the power to ruin
a cup, just like a frame a painting. 

I scratched some detail into this cup after it was painted.  The scratch lines will be white.  This will be more obvious after firing.

Painting pottery is funny.  What you see is not what you get, unlike picture painting.  There's so much guess work in this.  I paint in faith that it will turn out, but like life, once this baby hits the fire, it's anyone's guess what it will look like.  My most rewarding days in pottery are when I get something back that I love.  So far, this hasn't been a lot.  I have high standards, LOL.  Let it be said, I AM enjoying the process of learning as long as I am still learning!!

I will be painting about 12 of these.  All of them will be the same colors choices but with differences in the shapes of the flowers and vases and polkadots.  Because they are hand painted, the color values will vary.  

Thanks for Looking today.  I may try to attend Atlanta in July 2018.  Time will tell.  

Enjoy. 

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Bird Mermaid Platter by Kolene Spicher

Showing off her bird-catching skills 

A Kolene Spicher Mermaid Pottery Piece 

Hand Building Pottery 

I have made some progress with my platter since I last posted.  The colors on this piece are beginning to POP as the clay is drying out in preparation to Bisque Firing.  

The edge of this piece was designed to look like coral.  I think it has this look, too, but I don't know for certain what this will look like once it is Bisque Fired. 

I decided to add the curtain because it gives it a good pop of color.  The water is textured and many shades of BLUE will stick out once fired. 

I am really loving this whole process.  I am going to be making many more of this sort of thing.  As I learn more about the clay, I am leaning more toward the hand-building process.  I am also learning to throw on the wheel, too.  

ENJOY! 

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