There’s a lot to unpack in this blog post. As my methods of making continue to expand, I’ve been re-evaluating the ecological ethics of my art practice. Something that always plays on my mind is the sustainable nature of my artwork in relation to pollution and climate change. It’s one of those silent killers thatContinue reading “Burning Stuff, Art Waste, Ethical Foraging, and Environmental Impact.”
Author Archives: karenwildenz
Kiln Melting Glass over Ceramics
I have been experimenting with melting found beach glass and recycled wine bottles over my ceramic sculptures and here are a few things I’ve learned along the way. Less is more. It doesn’t take a lot of glass to create transformative effects. Depending on your project, adding small amounts of crushed glass can add littleContinue reading “Kiln Melting Glass over Ceramics”
Is Raku Pottery Food Safe? The Short Answer is Always “No”.
I’ve been getting a few questions on my YouTube channel regarding making functional raku pottery, such as mugs, cups and bowls. There seems to be a lot of information (and misinformation) around how to make raku pottery waterproof and/or food safe. While I’m no expert on raku pottery, I have picked up a few helpfulContinue reading “Is Raku Pottery Food Safe? The Short Answer is Always “No”.”
Sodium Silicate Pottery Cracked Surfaces: Slab Building Technique
How do potters achieve those amazing crackled patterns in their ceramic pieces? With the magic of Sodium Silicate. You may have seen artists use this clear, liquid medium on the outside of wheel-thrown pottery before stretching the work into larger forms with various cracked designs running across the surface. What exactly is Sodium Silicate? AndContinue reading “Sodium Silicate Pottery Cracked Surfaces: Slab Building Technique”
How to Clean Up Clay and Glaze Safely!
After completing my Visual Arts degree in 2021 and moving from ‘institute student studio life’ into ‘unsupported garage studio life’ – I’ve been pushing the limitations of my experimental glazed ceramics at home. It’s been fun! But it’s also been very messy and I was worried about how I would dispose of clay and glazeContinue reading “How to Clean Up Clay and Glaze Safely!”
Making Ceramic Jewellery
Making jewellery and wearable art evolved from a combination of exploring ways to recycle and further develop my ceramics, along with resurrecting an old jewellery-making hobby I started many years ago (I used to make pendants out of wood, hand-cut and delicately pyrography burned with animal and nature themed designs). Now that I’m experimenting moreContinue reading “Making Ceramic Jewellery”
Firing Large Ceramics
Let’s be honest, when it comes to art, bigger is “usually” better when it comes to the laws of viewer attraction. There is a reason that large scale installations draw most of the attention (good or bad) at museums and galleries. I’m not saying that smaller works can’t be equally eye-catching or enthralling, I myselfContinue reading “Firing Large Ceramics”
How did you Make That?
People are curious by nature. We want to know how things work? Who made this? What is its purpose? When it comes to creatives and collectors of objects, the question becomes “How was this made?” Most artists will include what materials they use, perhaps a brief explanation of the process (unless that’s a heavily guardedContinue reading “How did you Make That?”