Description of Techniques

My clay forms are made with earthenware, a low -fired clay body that contains a lot of natural iron.

The forms are polished when dry with terra sigillata slip. Terra sigillata is a Roman term meaning refined earth. It is a mixture of clay and water which is painted on the surface of the work and polished by hand or with a soft cloth while damp. After the polished work is dry again it is ready to file.

The forms are packed with sawdust, fired, and cooled in the ashes of the sawdust. The black comes from the carbon that is now permanently impregnated into the surface of the clay. Other colors appear on the body of the vases during the firing . These colors are due to the action of the smoke changing the molecular structure of the iron in the clay during the firing. Through years of trial and error I am able to control and predict some outcomes, but much of the magic in the unique markings on each pot comes spontaneously during the firing.

All my artwork is fired to a low temperature, so the finish is porous and should be handled with care. Sunlight does not harm them. Sharp jewelry could scratch the finish. Oils and adhesives soak into the surface, and should be avoided. They can be washed or wiped clean with plain water, whereupon the colors will darken, but will soon return to their natural state when dry. Water should never be left standing in the vases because the salts in the water would soak in and corrode the surface. Basically you should treat them as you would any other earthenware Indian pottery.

Each of my pieces are signed on the base with my maiden name, van Bavel, and are dated with the last two numbers of the year. If you choose to purchase a piece, I hope my artwork gives you many years of satisfaction and a remembrance of the beauty in the natural colors of the earth.

Home | New Work | Past Work | Contact | Resume | Studio Tour | Galleries