This piece is part of the Botanical Collection inspired by my year-long residency on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, one of the last unspoiled public open spaces along the California coast. Display or use as a vase (but not for poison oak!)
THE STORY: I'm highly allergic to poison oak, or you? While on my residency project on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, I learned that there is a small percentage of the population that has no reaction to poison oak. Among those lucky few is Brian Morgan, one of the preserve's docents. He would handle the plant as the rest of us backed away. It's a beautiful plant, but I've learned to give it a wide berth – or risk turning as red as the inside of this vessel!
ABOUT: This vessel started on the potter's wheel as a smooth cream-colored clay that is a mixture of stoneware and porcelain. After forming, I altered it into an oval shape and trimmed the top to give it a narrow lip. The surface design began with an overall application of black underglaze. I then began etching the leaves, and ended with taking out all of the black between the leaves. The last step was to use a tool to texture all of the background surface. After the first bisque firing, the piece was glazed inside with a red matte glaze. The outside was clear glazed.
SIZE: 7.5" H x 7" W x 5"D
Piece will be shipped/delivered after "On the Trail" show closed on Feb. 2.