Competitions abound

Yes, it's a corny title but quite true.

Over the last few weeks I've been madly hand building, firing, glazing and re-firing pieces for several competitions that all fall within 10 days of each other - Bowled Over Again by Newcastle Studio Potters, Gosford Art Prize and Port Hacking Potters 47th National Competition.

The last one will be delivered next week. The frenzy is over - below are some images of my endeavours.

Last night was the opening of Bowled Over Again at the Newcastle Potters Back to Back Galleries. It was a great night - many interesting and very beautiful bowls on display. Diarne Wiercinski, the Assistant Curator at Newcastle Gallery, judged the members award and the overall prize. I was taken aback and very encouraged when she gave me a special mention for the members' award.

It's ironic that in light of last week's devastating news of the NSW government's decision to single out fine arts and ceramics as areas NO LONGER to receive funding, Diarne should speak so encouragingly about the future of ceramics and Newcastle Gallery's plans over the coming two years to expand and include a dedicated ceramics gallery. There is much lobbying to be done to change the government's plans!

BOWLED OVER AGAIN ENTRY - WE THREE
Newcastle Studio Potters

Actually, only two bowls were allowed as entries. The two foreground bowls are in the exhibition  with the third for sale but in the back room. For these raku bowls I used Keane's Special K with a band of Stoneware 33 and a clear crackle glaze. I love Special K for it's structure and texture, and it's fantastic to work with. Stoneware 33 gives such a lovely pink. I like the way it's stressed from the raku process.

GOSFORD ART PRIZE ENTRY - TERMITE MOUNDS
Gosford Regional Gallery

I didn't plan the shape of these forms, they really created themselves. Only after I'd fired them did they remind me of Australian termite mounds, especially with the pinky/red claybody. I used Keane's Toast. It's a similar clay to Special K but a little more difficult to work with. The colour is terrific and it comes up really well in raku.

PORT HACKING 47TH NATIONAL COMPETITION ENTRIES
- WHITE ON WHITE 2, WHITE ON WHITE 3 & TWO FORMS
Port Hacking Potters

White on White 2 & 3 - Using Special K again, these forms were fired to Stoneware with a simple white glaze on the inside. I like the simplicity of the grey/white. It directs your focus to the form and undulating lines.

Two Forms - Initially unsuccessfully fired with copper carbonate highlighting the external line decoration, I re-fired at 1000°C using black copper oxide and clear crackle raku glaze. The result was much better.