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.
THE STORY: Hold this grass by the stem, give it a little shake – and you can hear the rattle inside. If there is a slight breeze, you can sometimes hear their song. I think the grass is truly beautiful and love the graceful patterns as the wind shifts.
Though it's a non-native grass originally introduced from Europe, it's now a part of the California landscape. Without it, our preserve would not have its rich tapestry of color, texture, movement and, on windy days, sound.
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 grass, and ended with taking out all of the black "behind" the plant.
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 light green matte glaze. The outside was clear glazed.
SIZE: 9" H x 8.25" W x 5.25"D
Piece will be shipped/delivered after "On the Trail" show closed on Feb. 2.