Don't stay in the same place for too long

It's funny how sometimes, as artists, we get comfortable in our routines, isn't it? My journey in pottery has definitely had its phases, and lately, I've been really pushing myself to not stay in the same creative place for too long. That's where the idea of 'our temporary embrace' comes into my studio practice. It’s about being open to new methods, even if they're just a stepping stone to the next big thing. I used to rely heavily on silicone molds, and they served their purpose for a while. But I quickly discovered a significant limitation: silicone molds don't work well for slip casting. The main issue is that silicone doesn't wick away moisture, which is crucial for slip to set properly and release cleanly. This was holding back some of the intricate gothic designs I envisioned, especially for those dramatic gothic flame flutes I'm so excited about. So, I decided it was time for a change, a temporary embrace of a different technique – plaster molds. And let me tell you, it's been a game-changer! The process is so fascinating and surprisingly straightforward once you get the hang of it. I started by making a plaster mold from a silicone one I already had. First, I cast the positive with oil-based clay. This clay gives me the perfect detailed form I want for my final piece. Once the positive was ready, the next step was to make the negative using pottery plaster. This is where the magic really happens! When mixing the plaster, a little trick I learned is to use a spritz of iso to pop any bubbles that form. This ensures a super smooth surface on the mold, which translates directly to the quality of the finished ceramic piece. The beauty of plaster is its porosity. Unlike silicone, plaster will absorb water from the slip, allowing the clay to dry and shrink slightly away from the mold, leaving you with a solid shape that's easy to release. It’s this property that makes plaster indispensable for slip casting. Every time I unmold a piece, there's this moment of 'Behold!' – seeing the perfect form emerge is incredibly satisfying. This entire process, from preparing the clay positive to pouring the plaster and waiting for it to set, feels like a temporary embrace of each material. The clay temporarily holds the form, the plaster temporarily captures it, and then the ceramic slip temporarily fills the mold to become something new. Each stage is essential, fleeting, and contributes to the final creation. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most rigid structures in our art, the molds we create, are themselves temporary tools in a larger, ever-evolving artistic journey. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing how these new plaster molds will help me adorn those gothic flame flutes I've been dreaming of. It just goes to show, don't be afraid to try something new, even if it feels a little daunting at first. Sometimes, embracing a 'temporary' shift in technique can open up a whole new world of creative possibilities. What new creative 'embrace' are you exploring in your own projects?