Cone 10 Pigment Results

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In retrospect, it all makes sense: When creating cast iron, you put iron oxide into an oxygen-less environment and heat it up at around 2400 °F (1300 °C).  And, when I removed my test batches of mostly ochre pigments (all iron oxide based) from the kiln heated to within these specifications, I found that most of it … Read more

Cone 10 Pigments

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When I saw the sign in the window of S & S Pottery Supplies asking for fill in an upcoming cone 10 gas firing I knew that I had to get something ready … The opportunity to subject samples of my collected pigments to almost 1300°C (2400°F) in an oxygen-less environment was pretty exciting. In … Read more

Cobalt Pigment Prepared

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To prepare for my first attempt in painting an icon of Saint Barbara I’ve ground the different hues I’ll be using (and a couple of mixtures, too).  In the end, an entire shelf has been filled. It feels good to have this work done, but as I look at the narrow range of colours available … Read more

Ready to go …

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I’m looking forward to working out some new ideas in the coming months. It’s been especially helpful for me to consider what Hundertwasser said about the creative act, “The work of the artist is very difficult because it cannot be done by force, dilligence or intelligence.  I think that by strength and diligence and intelligence … Read more

New Year; new start

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With the new, 2010 year upon us I’ve been giving a little thought as to what direction my blog should take.  I’ve noticed that mainly people begin blogging with vigor, and then let the work die a slow death of neglect (I don’t want this to be the case on this site). Part of my … Read more

Madoc: Eldorado Gold

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In life, it seems to me that there are two kinds of people: Those who eat their favourite bits of supper first, and those who save best for last.  I guess I belong to the latter group, because I’ve been really enjoying the anticipation of harvesting the yellow ochre pigment that Reiner and I collected … Read more

Reflections

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Getting out and exploring an area for colour has been really good for my soul. And, I’ve realized some things about myself and my art making: My project isn’t about a Painting being connected to a Place (in some sort of ‘neutral’, or maybe ‘absolute’ way); it is about Me in a Place creating a … Read more

Madoc: Day two

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I’ve been on trips where I spent most of my time looking for something and in the end was thankful to find it. But, yesterday I found more than I had hoped for on the first go, so Reiner and I decided to have a bit of fun and visit the Roger’s Mine. The Roger’s … Read more

Pigment hunting: Madoc

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Months ago, Reiner and I agreed that if there was no snow we’d head up on an early November weekend and look for colours on the Canadian Shield. As the weeks passed we decided that we would head for the town of Madoc and continued to hope that the weather would cooperate. Well the weekend … Read more