07/28/2026
Long post - but it has been awhile.
I’ve been asked if I am still doing pottery and the answer is yes. I know it has been a while since my last post showing my “mud” skills but last 9 months I was slammed with graphic design work. I have now come up for air and taking this time to show you my stuff.
Since my last post in Oct, I have taken 5 more pottery sessions. As I have stated before I have been doing a lot of experimenting to find my nitch. It seems that what has been noticed at the Art Center is my combination of a thrown pot, combined with coils. You will see that in my last set of photos.
The first photos are finished carry-overs from the photos I posted that were ready to fire before glazing. These are from my hand building session.
The next set of photos are most of my thrown pots – some are good, and some became abstract once they collapsed. One set are my thrown/coil pots.
Glazing has been a challenged…it is not easy nor predictable. Once you glaze you cross your fingers for a good outcome. That slippery “glass” has a mind of its own. You will see that I did find a favorite glaze that was contaminated – using it with a wax resistant made for what I think are nice earthy pots. That glaze is now gone and so I moved on….
What I discovered in my last two sessions was underglaze. It allows me to paint my design, and I have better control of the outcome. Since I am a painter, this is coming easy for me. Once I paint, I glaze with clear and for the most part I have been happy. The only thing is learning how bright or dull the colors turn out. I really had fun with the Starry Night inspired pot.
The last photo is one of my latest pieces. This is a whimsical underwater scene that will be painted in very bright colors. I’ll post this again when completed along with two others that are in the kiln.
I am getting ready to put all of these on my website, showing all angles and size of each. I am getting a stockpile built up so I guess I may try to sell them and think about Christmas gifting.
I'll post when all are on my website. Bridgette McElwee Waldau
