Ceramic Tile Design
In the Winter of 2020 I started taking a Ceramic Tile Design class with Robert Devers through Montgomery College. I had some of my own glazes and purchased a few palettes of underglaze. I had my own vision for the course and that vision was cut short with lockdown.
Fast forward to Winter of 2022 and the class finally ran again. I unearthed my 4-tile dragon eye project with had been cozy in a drawer on campus. I decided to go with the flow and not to push any vision other that fully learning the process of majolica tiles. I was free to experiment and explore and it showed in my work.
I created an assortment of stand-alone tiles that will live on as trivets. The two major pieces from this class were the 4-tile projects: the dragon eye and an interpretation of a photo I took in the Blackall Family Preserve in Cumberland, Rhode Island in October of 2021.
Majolica uses oxides and stains in layers and multiple firings as needed. We also utilized graffito paper (underglaze and wax) as a transfer method. In between classes, I used underglazes only and initially experimented with using cloth and paper doilies.
I love the possibilities of this media! Working alongside other artists as they flesh out their designs is a mutually-affirming process. I participated in the five-week summer class and treated it like a job! I was insanely productive and added wax resist to the mix. I'm particularly happy with the palm tree tile which is a reminder of my recent trip to the Dominican Republic.
I have plenty of photographs and have acquired more bisqueware to keep myself in glazing mode for quite some time!
Below are a few photos showing the process of the two very different 4-tile projects along with some of the stand-alone tiles. The dragon eye used graffito paper, and underglazes. The woods scene used graffito paper, oxides, stains, a flower of life stencil, and underglaze.