Goldfinch on a Thistle

Description

Handmade using white earthenware clay and decorated using a combination of coloured engobe slips (liquid clay that will fire and stick onto the body of the pot without the need of being covered with glaze) and oxides. Finished using a combination of an earthenware gloss glaze, (coloured or transparent) and unglazed areas which are sometimes waxed. I rolled out a sheet of clay, cut out the tile and added the border using a wooden printing block. I then sketched out my design, cut out paper resist shapes and started decorating. The goldfinch’s wing and the central thistle have been glazed and the border has been glazed using a turquoise gloss glaze. My inspiration came from birds and their symbolic meaning to create a narrative of positivity and joy.

According to Native American traditions finches are associated with joy and celebration. The goldfinch can symbolise light and sanctity. In Europe, Renaissance painters used the goldfinch as an important theological symbol. In Celtic countries the thistle symbolises resilience, strength, determination, protection, and pride.