Two For Joy

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 magpies and the large leaves 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.

This tile design came from the traditional “Magpie Rhyme” One for sorrow, Two for Joy …… I used Chrysanthemums for the flowers because they symbolise longevity, joy, and optimism.

(Designs may differ slightly as they are hand painted)