2 Views of Summer, 2012

Front and back views of my white Summer Grasses raku vase with bamboo handle. Hand built sculpture clay and paper clay. Grass orchid design is free hand wax resist. White crackle raku glaze. Bamboo is from recycled and repurposed old kendo shinai. Bound with waxed linen twine. 21"H x 8"W x 4.5"D.

I like the simplicity of the design. Doing the free hand wax resist is a one shot deal and I'm happy with the way the grass orchids turn out. The wax resist brushwork is done with a calligraphy brush.

It is more of a sculptural piece rather than an utilitarian one.

Summer Grasses Raku Vase Series

This is a continuation of my Summer Grasses series of raku vases.

Hand built sculpture clay and paper clay. The grass orchid design is free hand wax resist. Different colored raku glazes were used. I experimented with a unique finishing technique for the one on the left.

Each vase is approx 13"H x 6.5"W x 4.5"D. They are ready for my bamboo handles.

I’m a Sucker for All Things Bamboo

There is just something about bamboo that appeals to me. The material that fits very well with the sculptural work that I make and to the Japanese esthetic that I'm attracted to.

This picture shows some of the different types of bamboo material I have around in my studio. Starting from far left:

1. These are kendo shinai which I’m going to use for my vase handles.
2. These two pieces are very special to me. They are remains of a bamboo ikebana vase that’s over 40 years old. I still have to figure out a way to use them.
3. These are store bought bamboo rods, about ½” dia.
4. These were given to me by my friend who does Japanese archery (kyudo). They are broken arrow shafts. Very straight and very nice. No wonder they cost a lot!
5. This is a store bought bamboo pole 1 ¾ dia.
6. These are bamboo stems from my yard. I repurpose them into handles for my raku vases.

Even Scarier After Raku!

My new set of 3 Japanese themed demon masks. This was how they turned out after today's raku firing, Cone 06.

I used a clear crackle glaze on all three pieces. Some areas have more crackling than others. The darkening around the eyes make them look even scarier. I decided not to clean them up too much.

They should scare away evil spirits, maybe, even unwanted solicitors from your house. I don't think I want to meet any of them in a dark alley!

Paper Clay Masks, Part 1

These 3 masks were featured in the 500 Raku book by Lark Crafts. The construction method was described in an earlier post.

A clear Raku crackle glaze was used.

This is the link to my website with a little story behind them.

Available for purchase.

Kellogg Art Gallery - Ink & Clay 37

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Anthony Foo is pleased to present his new ceramic sculpture, CHRYSALIS, at this year’s Ink and Clay 37. This juried exhibition runs from March 17^th thru April 29^th, 2011 at the Kellogg Art Gallery, Cal Poly Pomona, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA 91768. Phone: (909) 869-4301.

Opening reception is on Saturday, April 9^th from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. Admission is FREE.

Anthony Foo is an Orange County ceramic artist who has exhibited at the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA), Kellogg Art Gallery – Cal Poly Pomona, California State University Fullerton (CSUF) Grand Central Art Center, The McGroarty Art Center in Tujunga, and the Irvine Fine Arts Center.

“CHRYSALIS (http://anthonyfoo.com/Chrysalis.htm) is a continuation of my pod series of paperclay sculptures,” says Foo.

“This piece explores the genesis of life, as it transforms from one form to another. The outer “cage” protects the inside and creates a safe sanctuary for the inner being to develop.”

“The interior pod is raku fired, the outer is high fired to Cone 10 reduction in two separate halves and then assembled. The work is mounted with a stainless steel rod into a machined and textured solid aluminum block.”

To arrange an interview with the artist, please call (714) 528-9304, or send an email to info@anthonyfoo.com, or visit the website at www.anthonyfoo.com.

Please check out the Kellogg Art Gallery site after the show opens.http://www.csupomona.edu/~kellogg_gallery/

Lark Books - 500 Raku pieces

I'm most excited to have my Japanese Demon Mask pieces selected to be part of the 500 Raku series from Lark Books.

The book will come out in spring 2011.

Paperclay and Inclusions - Part 4

This may be the first time some people have seen this material (top picture). Rice hulls, also called rice husks is the outer covering of the rice grain. Once this is removed, you have white rice. It took me a while to track this down. Finally I found it at a local feed store. It comes in a 25 lb. bag, is used as bedding for horses and it not expensive.

For my hand-pinch bowls, I wedge the rice hulls into my paperclay. How much to add? If you want more texture, add more rice hull. Use less for a subtler effect. There should still be enough paperclay to hold everything together. You will know it if what you make does not hold up. In that case, add in more paperclay and wedge till the rice hull is evenly distributed in the paperclay. You can also press the rice hulls onto the outside surface of your form but this will give a different kind of look/texture.

This material gives a VERY delicate texture (the second picture is the couples cups on its stand, the bottom picture is a close up shot of the texture) so I opt to use oxides instead of glazes. A heavy application of red iron oxide give a very grayish gun metal color in Cone 10 reduction firing. I often use this oxide to contrast against a lighter colored glaze which I use for the inside of my hand-pinched forms.

In addition to creating interesting textures in paperclay, you can also use the rice hulls as a organic combustion source for your raku post-firing reduction.

Happy experimenting!