TACKLING AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TECHNIQUE

STACKED CLAY/NERIKOMI/CLAY VENEER

CERAMICS II

porcelain clay, oxides, & glaze

We've only been doing this assignment for about the past 2 years but we've learned a lot

in the process.

This is a Japanese technique that is beautiful and complex.

You begin with a white Porcelain base clay and wedge into it an oxide colorant.

My kiddos have to make at least 2 contrasting colors.

Then they need to pick a design to slice and alternately stack these slabs together

and inlay them into a white porcelain foundation.

We are still trying to iron out the wrinkles in the inlay as I will point out.

And the other wrinkle is what form to then build with these slabs so they won't crack.

Again you will see.

But I think we got closer last year.

My newbie Intermediate clay gals are just starting on this project today and we've talked it out,

researched the heck out of it on the Internet,

and we might just conquer it this year.

So go seniors Olivia Kruger, Lina Kim and Dustiney Ansiboy.

This gorgeous bowl was built last year by senior Ylia Madayag.

She was able to do a seamless inlay,

but sadly her clay stressed and cracked over the mold she used to form her bowl.

But at least the cracks were consistent all the way around the rim.

We all loved her stacked design.

This next one was made by junior Chloe Chang.

No cracks but she did struggle with the inlay separating as it dried and was fired.

And here are two views of junior Eugene Ho's cup.

Wonderful inlays and just the barest of cracking.

If you have never worked in Porcelain,

it is so yummy but so stubborn to get to know.

It dries out very quickly, 

but can be rolled oh so thinly so that very delicate creations can be made,

if you work fast enough that is.

ha ha

This lovely vase is the work of junior Julia Ruiz.

She managed no separations and no cracking.

Way to go Julia!!!

And senior Sarah Oh made two really fun canes,

a chicken and a heart.

We do see separations and cracks here,

but it's still quite a feat!

And last but not least Eugene got real playful with all his left over clay colors and cane.

He had a couple of jelly roll slices left and the rest he partially wedged together

which created a marbled look.

And then he loosely formed it over a mold

and applied some cool appendages.

I believe it sold this piece at Open House.

We all loved it.

And no separations or cracks,

how about that??

Thanks you 5 for being such great sports and hard workers 

to try to pull off this very difficult art form.

We literally stretched you guys to new horizons.