In the spotlight

This snowflake glazed (or ice crackle glazed) platter did not come out from the kiln in one piece. And honestly, I am happy it did not withstand the firing, it gave me another opportunity.

Some say that potters are most unhappy people because they fail to get the expected results so often. I say potters are happiest people because every making and firing is full of surprises to be glad of.

Sometimes, instead of a jar I throw a vase as a warmup, and sometimes I make vases also deliberately, throw they are not my everyday forms to make.

The look resembles a tree trunk or a dried earth, which it actually is.
The effect is achieved with drying the outside of the body rapidly with a help of sodium silicate and a torch. Made from the Spanish black stoneware clay and the texture is filled with white engobe to bring out the contrast between white and black.