Cooper                   

 Gallery

Susan  Boyce

  The Elements of the Design

       Form ~Shape~ Line~ Color~ Texture

Traditional storage vessels, such as water jars and seed pots,

are the inspiration for my wheel-thrown pottery forms.  During

the throwing  flexible  steel ribs are used to compress and

smooth the  surface of the clay, which will become the ground for

an incised slip drawing.  The pot and the drawing are

conceived together as elements of one fully integrated object.

Before the pot is fired, a thin slip, or watered down clay, which has been

stained with metallic oxides (iron, copper, cobalt, and manganese) is

brushed over the surface.  The whole edge of a knife blade, or only

 the point, may be used to scrape away large areas of color or create

 fine, narrow lines.  This technique permits sensitive control in

creating the image in positive and negative space.

Emphasis on contrast between light and dark, the play of

shadows, is especially effective in black and white and contributes

 to the realism of the imagery.  Geometric border designs related

 to the subject of the drawing are used to emphasize particular

areas such as the rim, shoulder or foot of the pot.

The high-fire, matte, stoneware glaze imparts a smooth,

 touchable surface while contributing to the elusive atmosphere

of the drawing underneath.

 This is functional pottery, designed to be used.  The pieces have

lead free glazes and are microwave and dishwasher safe.

Click on picture for larger photo

	Title: Squirrel Pot Size: 9 inches Medium: Ceramic		Title: Owl Platter Size: 13 inches diameter Medium: Ceramic
	Title: Tall Horse Vase Size: 18 inches Medium: Ceramic		Title: Whale Pot Size:  8 inches Medium: Ceramic
	Title: Size: Medium: Ceramic		Title: Owl Vase Size: 16 inches Medium: Ceramic
	Title: Deer Vase Size: 15 inches Medium: Ceramic		Title: Bear Pot Size: 10 1/2  inches Medium: Ceramic