Vandaag heb ik voor het eerst een portret sculptuur uit klei gemaakt. Toen ik begon, had ik geen idee wie of wat er naar voren zou komen. Tot mijn grote verrassing kwam het gezicht van een Khoisan vrouw tevoorschijn, een prachtige herinnering aan de oorspronkelijke bewoners van Zuidelijk Afrika.
Mijn eerste sculptuur en wat was dit een magische moment
Khoisan vrouwen zijn al eeuwenlang de hoeders van hun gemeenschappen, met een diepe kennis van de natuur en een sterke verbondenheid met het land. Ze speelden een cruciale rol in de samenleving, als verzamelaarsters, genezers en verhalenvertellers. Hun kracht, wijsheid en doorzettingsvermogen zijn een bron van inspiratie voor mij.
Met mijn Zuid-Afrikaanse roots voel ik me diep verbonden met hun verhaal en ben ik dankbaar dat ik via mijn kunst een stukje van hun geest mag eren. 🌍✊🏽
As the sun reached its zenith on the longest day of the year, the air is thick with the warmth and vibrancy of summer. The Summer Solstice, or Litha, is a time of celebration, abundance, and the powerful energy of the sun at its peak. This year, I found inspiration in the heart of my garden, beneath the sprawling branches of the magical fig tree.
The fig tree has always held a special place in my garden. Its broad, verdant leaves provide a lush canopy, offering shade and a sense of tranquility. Figs, with their rich history and symbolism, represent wisdom, prosperity, and the divine feminine. The tree’s presence feels almost otherworldly, a living connection to ancient wisdom and natural magic.
In crafting my Summer Solstice vase, I wanted to capture the essence of this magnificent tree. Using the coiling technique, I hand built the vase, layer by layer, allowing the process to be a meditative journey. Each coil represented a spiral of energy, an echo of the sun’s journey across the sky.
The leaves were the heart of this creation. I spent many hours beneath this fig tree, carefully selecting leaves that spoke to me, each one a perfect specimen of nature’s artistry. Pressing these leaves into the soft clay, I felt a deep connection to the tree, as if its ancient wisdom was being imprinted into my work. The leaves left their intricate veins and textures in the clay, creating a tapestry of patterns that danced across the surface of the vase.
Afterwards I went over those perfect veins to show how we as humans simply cannot craft a leave as perfectly as mother-nature. For some you this might not make sense. But hopefully for some it does.
As the vase took shape, I chose glazes that reflected the vibrancy of summer: a deep, verdant green to honor the fig tree’s foliage, and a warm, golden hue to symbolize the solstice sun. Similar to this photo.
When I opened the kiln, the finished piece emerged, shimmering with the representative energy of the season, but intentionally not as perfect as Mother Nature.
This Summer Solstice vase is more than just a piece of pottery; it is a celebration of life, light, and the natural world. It stands as a tribute to the magical fig tree and the endless cycles of growth and renewal that define our existence.
The days following the longest day, as I place the vase in a place of honor, I reflect on the gifts of the season. The Summer Solstice reminds us to bask in the light, to embrace the fullness of life, and to celebrate our connection to the earth. The fig tree, with its wisdom and grace, teaches us to root ourselves deeply, to grow towards the light, and to give generously.
May this vase serve as a reminder of the magic that surrounds us, the beauty in the natural world, and the eternal dance of the sun and earth. As we move forward, let us carry the warmth and energy of the solstice within us, nurturing our creativity and our spirits, much like the fig tree nurtures its leaves and fruits.
Blessings of the Summer Solstice to all, and may your days be filled with light, love, and the magic of nature.
Hello lovely people! I hope you’re all doing well. Today, I’m excited to share a special project from my pottery studio, The Dirty Potter (the website will be available soon where I will also sell my ceramics). Nestled in our back garden, on the edge of Delft and The Hague, this little sanctuary has been buzzing with creativity.
What’s actually happening behind this door?
Let me introduce you to Harvey the Hare, a life-size sculpture that has been a true labor of love.
The process of creating Harvey began with an armature made from newspaper. This lightweight framework provided the basic shape and support needed to build up the clay. I carefully molded and shaped the newspaper, ensuring every curve and contour was just right.
Setting up the armature
Once the form was ready, it was time to start adding the clay.
This is what Harvey is made of
Layer by layer, Harvey began to take shape. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about working with clay—feeling its cool, pliable texture in your hands and watching a piece of art emerge. Sculpting Harvey required patience and attention to detail, as I wanted to capture the lively spirit and graceful form of a hare. The ears, the expressive eyes, the powerful legs—each part was carefully crafted and refined.
Harvey is sculpted
Once the sculpting was complete, Harvey needed to dry thoroughly before the first firing. This drying phase is crucial, as any remaining moisture can cause the sculpture to crack in the kiln. After a few weeks (I wanted to make sure he was thoroughly dry; and I was on holiday), it was time for the biscuit firing, also known as the bisque firing. Harvey was placed in the kiln and fired at 1100°C. This initial firing hardens the clay, making it durable and ready for glazing. I prefer 1100°C over 1000°C because the clay turns lighter the warmer it is fired.
Ready to be bisque fired at 1100 Celsius
The hole in his back is made before the first firing; when the clay is leather hard. This little hole is where the lamp will be fitted once Harvey is all glazed up.
Fresh from the kiln. Now Harvey is Bisque fired. Still not waterproof.
The glazing process is where the magic truly happens. I chose a combination of earthy tones and subtle glazes to bring Harvey to life.
But I also made another glaze from scratch to add a personal touch
Applying the glaze is a delicate task, requiring precision and creativity. I carefully brushed, dipped, and layered the glazes, envisioning how they would meld and react in the kiln’s heat.
Glazing in process
Now, it was time for the final firing.
Very important not to skip this part: always make sure there is no glaze on the parts that will make contact with oven. Glaze melts when it’s hot and sticks to the surface and hardens. Once it is cold you can’t get from the surface.
Harvey was then placed back in the kiln, this time fired at 1200°C. This higher temperature causes the glazes to melt and fuse to the clay, creating a beautiful, glass-like finish. The anticipation during this phase is always palpable—waiting to see how the glazes have transformed and brought the sculpture to life.
After the kiln cooled and I could finally open it, there stood Harvey in all his glory. The glazes had turned out even better than I had hoped, adding depth and character to his form. Seeing the finished piece was incredibly rewarding, a testament to the hours of work, weeks of waiting, and love poured into it.
Harvey the Hare now proudly sits in my studio, a reminder of the joy and satisfaction that comes from creating art.
Look who arrived all in tact from the kiln
This project has been a journey of exploration, patience, and creativity, and I’m so thrilled to share it with you. I decided to turn Harvey into a lamp.
Time to turn Harvey into a lamp
Thank you for joining me on this little adventure in clay. I hope it inspires you to embrace your creative passions, whatever they may be. Until next time, happy crafting and creative journeys!
Good company while reading
For more updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @mme_bluestocking and @the_dirty_potter
