One process I have developed since my Masters at the RCA involves small laminated blocks of clay, usually layered porcelain with oxides and stains. Each block is different and it allows me a choice in tones and colours making all works unique. Small pieces of laminated clay are torn form the blocks and then attached to a porcelain form with slip. It is a time consuming process, each square inch takes approximately an hour to achieve. The small Earth Jars below took 36-40hrs each and the large Earth Jar was several weeks work.
Time passes quickly when working this way, because it is so focused. It seems like an oxymoron as the sculptures take a long time to make but they also take a long time to dry, before they can be fired. Slow drying is the key to to eliminating the appearance of cracks. It allows the small pieces of clay to shrinking with each other on their form beneath. Once fired the colours will show.
