If You Were Curious....

If you were just a little bit curious about one way to china paint here is one of the methods I like to use. It's a "wipe out" method that I find very relaxing. Just layer on the color, blend and wipe out your image. Fire.

A clean piece of porcelain

Add color


Blend the color with a silk sponge.


Wipe out image and then fire.

More to be added...

The Wrap Up

Proud Arabian Mare
currently at auction

The wrap up before school ends for summer is a frantic time. The weeks seem to speed up and the days are a blur. That has been the case here in the household and studio this month. As fast as I try to get things in gear for the summer months the faster I seem to keep falling behind. It is always at this point in time when unexpected jobs come in.

This past weekend I was treated to a china painting commission with hydrangeas. These are one of my favorite flowers to look at, enjoy and paint. I was very satisfied with the way this box came out as I was going for a soft watercolor feel. It was commissioned to present and hold pearls as a gift. The new owner was very happy and that always makes me happy too.

China painted box

The long hours spent with the PAM came to a conclusion this past Sunday as well. It is with heavy heart I will let her go. I've enjoyed the process of learning with this one. Some pieces just teach you more than you can ever expect. These photos are the few that I just love. Her hairing came out as I had envisioned along her neck. That was most definitely my favorite place to paint.

Face detail on PAM

Hairing detail on PAM

Another Week....WHOOSH!

On the primer table

Another week has gone by....

WHOOOOSH!

It's been a very funny two weeks. Not a funny two in a "har har" way either. Between the curve balls that were thrown at me earlier last month in my personal life to the oddball amount of strange emails I've gotten from people who were long gone out of my life I have to ask, "Is there a full moon out or something?" And yes, there was a full moon out last night and last night seemed to bring the end to all things "odd" so phew, thank God. Odd things and curve balls hold no place in a fully functioning and positively spiked studio!!!

During all this though I did manage to get quite a bit of prep work done. I love to pour all that negative energy into seam removal and an old Love PAM was the perfect victim for my negative abuse; so too, was a Love QH stallion. Amazingly, I prepped most of the commissions visiting me and also prepped stuff I've been meaning to get a handle on for a few years now. Nothing like drama to get the mundane things done. LOL

I also had the pleasure of unwrapping my brand new Dorothy Graham custom while I was silent here on the blog. Meet my new boy the Trakehner in Copenhagen Blue. Isn't he a dream? I just love him and LOVE this Breyer mold. I'm so happy she was willing to paint this one up for me.

My new boy by Dorothy Graham

A moment stolen in the
dirt. Nothing like a dirt bath

Well, work calls and I screwed up a china painted piece earlier this morning so I have much to do to salvage it. I'll share it when it's done. It's a pretty plaque with flowers and a quote. Flowers and quotes have been very popular with clients lately. It's fun to work on....when the crow quills want to work.

Boxes....Everywhere!!!

Parrot sketch for china

Boxes...they are all around me. The are even in my sleep.

I'm near the end of the "boxes project" and I will be happy to put china painting to rest for a spell. At least until sometime in January. I'm seeing boxes all around. I can't look at a magazine without thinking how that centerpiece in the shot will be nice reference for the roses around the dog or the parrot. Everything I see, if I'm not paying attention, turns into a china painted piece in my head. Sorta like a video or movie that happens inside there. I see paint smooshing around and forming images. It's both cool and annoying at times when I'm tired.

First layer of china paints

When this happens I know I've reached the end of the project and it's time for a break. I hope to have the very last piece of this box project done by Monday and I can reveal all the pretty pieces that were created. I'm actually really happy with most of them (there are always one or two that never come out as planned) and I feel I made huge strides in color application and rose formation. I just sorta figured it all out of a need to complete the project.

Now though, time to become human again and help decorate a Christmas tree. Of course I won't go without my sketchbook and brand new ceramics book to flip through! I mean, there is only so much tree trimming I can take before my mind starts crying to be fed more art.

Box Mania

Assorted boxes I've just finished

It's box mania here.

I received a rather large order for china painted boxes in late November and I've been working steadily on them since. It's truly crunch time now and the more difficult pieces are getting completed this week. From Dachshunds to Calico kitties to a portrait I've been bookin' to get it all done before Christmas. It's all I've been working on. I'm happy to say that this major diversion from model horses is always good for my painting skills both on and in the MH industry. Everything art truly feeds off each other.

This work comes after many months of working clay and glazing. I'm honestly sick of playing in clay so I am happy to be china painting and working the illustrations. By next week I will be fully satisfied of this job and looking forward to working on horses again, or maybe finishing the mold production of Lil Pumpkin. In any case, I find that having many things juggling at once is the way I like my studio running. It suits me.

First a drawing
Crow quill drawing on porcelain.
First fire

Where To Start?

Wins from the Pocono Ponies Live show

Hmm...

I'm not sure where to start. I think my head is still in a fog over the great time I had at home visiting my parents and attending the Pocono Ponies Live show this past Saturday. There is so much going on studio wise here that I think if I stop to process it all my head will explode. I really don't know how I'm going to get ready for the December Christmas Fair or even if my mind wants to wrap itself around this concept now two days before Halloween, but alas, next week my hands will be deep in the mud making useful items like mugs and creamer sets for Christmas. I guess the best place to start is to just run down all that I am working on so you can get an idea of what is coming down the pike.

Kiln loaded and ready for firin'

1). Little mice on more porcelain boxes.
Yep, at this very moment I have quite a few offerings cooking (hopefully for the last time) in the kiln. Little mice (and one lonely bunny) either dressed for Halloween or waiting the harvest is in there cookin. There is even a miniature pitcher and basin in this bunch. I was hoping to unveil everything yesterday, but I'm thinking a weekend sale will be more realistic.

2). The new Christmas ornament for 2009 has been cast and the plaster mold is currently in the warm, dry boiler room drying out. I'll begin pouring molds in about a week and a half. I "may" have a handful of resin copies for sale. I'll definitely be giving one away. Not sure where I'll do that though. On my twitter page....or on my blog. Hmmm....

"Lil' Pumpkin"
my newest original sculpture

3). Ahhh....Lil Pumpkin my pudgy little backyard pony is now fully complete. She came with me to the show and I had alot of fun showing her off. She will remain a very limited run in resin and she will also be offered in china. I have been enjoying her finish this week because soon her little self will be encased in silicone so a copy can be obtained and that copy can be sent to the caster. I will, as I have in the past, use Mountain View Studios. They do a beautiful job casting. Im excited to have a few copies to try out a ton of colors! I can taste a appy Pumpkin!

4). The Hedgie family was also encased in silicone this week and a successful mold was made. I am currently creating the plaster mold for this family. They will be a china only production. Im not sure if I'll make them realistic or if I will paint them up in fun colors like lavender and pink. What's your view? Realistic hedgehogs or something fun?

5). Other sculpts in the works are: "Chilly" the little mouse with a scarf, "The Sleepy Little Puppy" who will come complete with a ball. Each puppy will be a OOAK, "Big Pillow" is a mouse on a big pillow. Each will be a OOAK and lastly Leela and Ophelia are well on their way to finish.

Good gracious there is more but diner calls and homework is in need of completion. Homework for my son that is. He actually likes doing it now so bonus for me the mom.

Keep a watch on my twitter page for news flashes and if you haven't joined my ceramic news group please head on over and join. Any china production will be announced here: Danza Ceramics News Group

The Grind

Painting on china

It was back to the grind today. Thankfully "the grind" for me is a pleasant one. I will admit that coming back to the china painting after having been away for a spell has been a tad frustrating. The best way I can describe painting on porcelain is like running on ice with high heels. If I would just learn how to relax a bit more when I'm working I'll have better results. At least, that is what I tell myself when I am painting anything other than little mice or rats running about with tutus on. There is another Chaney china being painted this week too. He was being very camera shy. I'll catch him on film tomorrow. He is almost done.

Workin....

Working the mulberry grey on a china

Workin?

Ok, I really WAS working today...in between some sun sessions and some dips in the pool. LOL The Donna Chaney bone china is making lovely progress and with the new batch of lavender oil that just arrived I can stop fretting about color and application. Without that lavender oil I feel lost. Painting on china with overglazes is sorta like running on the ice with steletos. At least, some days it sure feels that way. Lavender gives the grip needed to make color flow and bend. I hope to have a finish on this boy real soon. Maybe this week?

Workin' hard

Of course, if we get any more gorgeous days in the sun the finish on him will take longer. I mean, it is truly hard to resist the pool on sunny days. I did get a few things prepped though. Prepping is fun to do with my niece Christina by my side. We chat away, then swim...then chat some more. Before I know it, prepping is done. My son sometimes joins in but mostly he was the one that worked today. He had some great pieces today from his work session and I must photograph them so you can see. He is telling stories now with his drawings. FUN!

Now he was workin'!

T-Storm-n-china

Chaney "Dauntless" in bone china

We've had some beautiful thunderstorms lately. One is brewin' as I type so I'm going to share the latest equine piece and run. I hate lightening. This little boy is currently for sale and I'm offering him via lottery today. You can check out all the information on his sales page: Appaloosa Sale.

Talk tomorrow! Stay cool and dry!

Only Tuesday

"The Winner" medallion
fully hand painted

It's only Tuesday and I'm neck deep in a ton of projects. Above is my donation to Breakables Live this year. I was honored to have been asked to donate and to be included with the other fine ceramic artists in our industry. I'm very pleased with how this piece came out. The shading is subtle as I envisioned it and the colors are bright and not muddied. I've been extra careful to keep all my brushes clean during the china painting process.

There is more, but time is limited today.

On Your Mark.....

Today I'm tidying up the pieces currently in progress and getting on my "mark" by finishing up color ideas, ordering boxes and yes, even trying to come up with names. So far I love the PEW (pink. eye. white) best and he is even more special because he is a clinker. There is a little piece of porcelain moving freely inside him. It happened during clean up and it makes little clinky noises when you shake him. I'm already having fun trying to find the perfect name for him. So far it's a toss up between "Cha cha" and "Clinker". LOL

Three rats and four bunnies

Bisque Day

Some bisques I've started painting

So, last night I poured and put together the very first "Listen' sculpture. I was a nervous wreck the entire time. After about two hours I had one rattie together.

Phew!

I had no idea putting porcelain pieces together would be so time consuming. Of course, the last piece I created (Hedgie) was more simple in design than "Listen". Hopefully the firing process with "Listen" will be as stress free and seamless and Hedgie's was. Of course, only two ratties will fit in my kiln at one time. She wound up being much larger than any other sculpture I've made.

Brownie getting the
first layer of china paints

Because there is a size issue I thought about pouring a few in earthenware, which is a lower fire clay and will require less time firing, but decided late last night that I really think I want the entire "Listen" run to be in fine porcelain. I just love porcelain. I love the way it looks...feels and acts when I'm working with it. I also prefer to paint it once it is fired.

It will be a while before the ratties will be ready to be painted so until then I've started painting a few other bisques. Painting all those non horse items like the boxes and espresso sets really gave me some good practice. It feels great to be painting horses in china paints again. The paint is just flowing exactly how I want it to. Yeah!

Layering color down the back

Work Continues

Valentine's Day china

This morning I broke the news to my son that we lost Odin. I had been preparing him for Odin's death, but he was still upset to hear the news. Odin was the only rattie I would allow him to hold and pet. I believe that children should learn how to respect animals and treat them well even if they are just children. Later today we will bid Odin farewell for good and then take his little decorated box to the shed outside. The first moment the cold spell breaks I'll bury him in the far corner of my beloved garden. A fitting send off to a beloved pet.

Despite the upset, work continues here. I am preparing for Valentine's Day with a few "mice" boxes and really cool espresso cups! I love these cups and am so excited to bring the ideas in my head onto the porcelain. The work is moving quickly. Much quicker than I expected. I poured all my energy into painting last night and this morning. It felt good and was therapeutic.

New Idocus hangin' out in the kitchen

Another exciting project just starting to brew here in the studio is another JAH painting tutorial (May/June). I'll be creating a roan painting tutorial on the brand new Idocus mold. I'm totally and utterly smitten with this new mold. He is wonderful. I love him! He arrived from the company at the perfect time to cheer me up.

The Egg & The Horsehead

China painted porcelain egg

Today I'm adding just a quick blog entry with images. I've been working non stop on this egg and for the most part I am very pleased with the way it came out. I was shocked at how easy it was to paint humans on porcelain. I loved the way the paint felt going on and my brain and hand were one. That usually never happens on bristol or canvas. I love things smooth and blurry almost and one crit I continually received on my paper work was that it was too smooth and "dreamy" but on porcelain its ok to explore such techniques. Of course the house and my son have been patiently waiting for me to return and tidy up and play

So that is the plan today to dust very quickly and then play. Late tonight I'll be at the fashion show watching them auction off the egg. I hope it is received well. I'll leave you with a few more images of the egg and a new medallion that was also completed in the studio this week.

Close up of Madonna and Child

. Egg slightly opened to show inside

New medallion

Wait! What?

Slowly layering in flesh tones

As you can see I have been working diligently on the porcelain egg box and I have made some really nice progress. It's by far the most adventurous and beautiful china painting I have produced to date. So, I was of course very excited to show it off and left the upper portion of the egg sitting on the kitchen table. Hubby walks in after work, picks up the egg, examines it and says, "It's too religious" then walks away leaving me speechless and feeling rather defeated.

Three days of non stop, solid work were seemingly squashed in three words.

Layering hair

Too religious? Wait! Did you say it was too religious Mr. "HURRY we are going to be late for mass?" How on God's good green earth is this box too religious for the school association of SAINT Bernard's? Should I seriously be worried about my box offending about a hundred Catholic women attending a fashion show in support of the school they are sending their children to?

Defining the veil

The Madonna gently holding her baby is the epitome of a mother's love. A quiet moment of innocence and nurturing. Aren't we as moms and dads always striving for that quiet moment of love between our children? How could the Madonna, the ultimate mom in the Christian religion, or for those non religious- the most ultimate "mom" icon of high art be too religious, too over the top? Whether you are religious or not, it is still a beautiful image, no? Did I miss the memo?

Layering color on infant

Slowly detailing Mary

I know it's become rather fashionable and easy to forgo religion, to forget your manners, to be apposed to anything Conservative these days, and to poo poo any form of gentleness in our rough society. It's quicker and more fashionable to type "Xmas" instead of "Christmas" and any slight mention of Christ brings some to a halt with a snicker. That's OK. I get it and normally keep my religion and religious thoughts to myself, but this idea, this seemingly perfect theme for a huge fundraising event held by women at a religious organization that lands right before the big religious holiday seems right. No, wait, its seems absolutely perfectly SANE in EVERY respect.

Visualizing entire piece together

If this idea truly is not sane, or it is too religious and most of all unfashionable to present a Madonna and Child to a religious association hoping for a rather large turnout to their event with, of course, nice four figured profits at the end of the affair in order to support a RELIGIOUS school, then the whole world has truly gone mad.

Diversify

Beginning stages porcelain painting

Diversity is key in my studio. I love having many things to work on and I actually enjoy juggling between those projects. It keeps me on my toes and I feel my eye stays sharper and fresher. I'm also never bored.

As you can see today I've added another item to the juggle. I was invited to attend a fashion show in Brooklyn and hence asked if my small business had anything by way of donations in order to help support their cause and although the request comes last minute the group that asked is an association that I had been hoping to show off my work to (one goal of 08) but never had the opportunity. When opportunity knocks you answer and so I added this lovely porcelain egg to the mix.

Adding figures lightly

My vision for this piece is to see the Madonna and Child painted on the upper portion of the egg. The lower portion, near the legs, will have beautiful red roses circling the area and there will be 24k gold touches here and there. I have decided to leave the inside white. Perhaps I'll place a small rose inside the box. I haven't decided. Right now my focus is on the Madonna and Child and is always the case with me when I am painting humans my hero Tamara de Lempicka is there in the background inspiring.

Glazing Woes

Sake set in white and moss green

Since attending my church's fall outing I have had the Christmas fair on my mind. When it was suggested I participate in this seasonal event I thought of all the unfinished vessels that could lend themselves nicely to such an occasion once finished. I have so many vessels that remain unfired and unglazed because I really don't like glazing. I have a difficult time applying glaze. I find my color combinations to be lacking and overall I can't seem to quiet my mind when I am glazing.

Opps!

But the other day I sat down determined to make a bit of headway in the backlog of my ceramic ware. The scene was business as usual with me and glazes. Me, the table and floor covered in droplets of glaze. Ceramic ware with run off spots and lids that confused. How the heck was I going to glaze a lid and not have it stick to the kiln? I figured out that if I propped the lid on a kiln prop I could paint both sides. Of course, who knew that one lid would FALL halfway through the cone 06 firing and land on it's side? Certainly not me! Of course, it happened to the one lidded vessel I loved; the pink one I had hoped to push some sticks through the lid and really give it a Japanese look.

Lidded vessel

Of course the sake set came out nicely and although I froze when I got to applying glaze to the outside I decided that nothing says "orient" better than a black ink brush drawing so I've decided to china paint the outside of this set. In the end, given my glazing history, its the safest route. I can see beautiful trees on this already and once I have a few other projects near finish in the studio, I'll start this one.

So, I'm no closer to participating in the holiday festival, but I am learning some hard cold lessons in glazing and that will most definitely benefit later on down the road.

They Are Scamperin'

Quick mice sketches

The mice are scampering around my brain again. It's cousin Sally Ann's birthday this weekend and I wanted to design something fun for her birthday button box. Mouse with a cupcake. Mouse jumping with joy. And of course then mouse in perfect zen came along which is sparking a whole new avenue of button boxes I think I must explore. Mice in Zen. Mice doing yoga. Hmmm.

Button Boxes right before their first firing

The air is brisk today. It's a perfect fall day and our trip to the park is going to be fun. I've got my son searching for cool leaves now. How I wish he could see how pretty the leaves are in PA., but in all honesty, these aren't so bad. They are pretty cool actually! The green in that middle one is just fascinating me to no end.

Busy

Workbench shot

I couldn't resist diving into the Vixen resin last night. She sat prepped and primed for so long that it was nice to finally hone in on a color for her. Sometimes its just easier for someone else to choose the color. The palomino color is looking wonderful on her already. I have to say, it was nice to be back at my painting station in the basement.

It was a very busy week family wise and house wise. I started to feel myself going over the edge cause I hadn't really done solid art work in close to a week. After a few days, I go nutty. Then after more days pass without art, I go batty. Once a week rolls around its complete mayhem and I watch myself going over the edge of sanity. I feel much better now and I'm excited to get back down into my basement studio in about an hour or so. First though, lunch!

What To Write?

Bisque Pixie getting china painted

When I woke this morning I was a bit out of sorts. Late nights this week and a bit of yard work preparing for the winter months made me groggy and uncertain as to what to talk about today. Some days the blog just writes itself, but this morning all I had was the fact that I was able to find the confidence to pick up my beloved Pixie bisque and add a bit more china paints to her last night. The use of lavender oil in my paints has proven very successful all around.

The rest of the morning found me running about to Bed Bath and Beyond for candles for the outing donation that needs to be finished and presented to the committee TONIGHT!!! EEEk!!! To get me through the rest of the busy day I chucked in the cart a box of pumpkin spice coffee. Oooh, I will tell you it is delightful and I'm on JOLT mode right now. LOL

I also found myself at Old Navy cause my studio (and hangin' out) duds have seen their last days. I believe Old Navy's clothes have shrunk! I am the same size I have been for about 4 years now and none of their jeans fit me and their sweats barely cover areas that should be covered on a 38 year old! I have come to detest the word "low rise". I quickly found my positive energy draining as I continued on in this store. There is nothing more damaging to my creative high like clothing shopping. I DETEST it, but some days you do need to buy new duds. My longing for those Catholic school days and a simple uniform were strong. That got me to thinking that doctor scrubs (they have some nifty styled one for the ladies) might be in order. I'm now looking into it.

Porcelain Artist Mag arrived today

Coming home to find mail waiting for me gave lots of blog fodder. I was giddy to find that my interview with the Porcelain Artists Magazine came out really lovely. It is a fully colored production that has weight that I could show off to the family and have them understand what I do when I'm in the studio. I hope you dont mind...I'm gonna take a spell to brag a bit. It really felt great to see these pieces in the mag along side other china painters from all over the world. Ok, I admit it.... I'm beaming this afternoon.

Interview with Porcelain Artists

They totally included the little mice!

Before my head gets way too big here I'll just end with a photo of the latest glazed candy dish. I LOVE how the glazes meet to form little circles in that one area on the inside. Now, if I can only remember WHAT glazes I used!

earthenware candy dish