THE STUDIO OF NICOLE MERKENS

This is an electric knife that I use to cut out the shape of my sculptures in styrofoam. This little beauty now fits in her own cocoon of sorts. She is engulfed in styrofoam.  I print out a photo of each piece and tape it on the box to show the contents and title the boxes so whomever unpacks it knows what is inside. Here are my many boxes ready to go to Saratoga Clay Arts Center for the" Adventures of Star Seed and Bunny Girl Show" Opening September 12th.

It's been sometime since I've thrown a pot. This week I sat down and through some pots to Raku this upcoming week. >

10 Pieces for the Fir Pit ( Before) I tried my hand at having a Pit Fire. I made 10 clay pieces out of a sculptural stoneware that can be fired to cone 10. I bisqued the pieces I made first in my electric kiln to cone 04. All pieces were Terra Sig'd except the small pinch pot.  Then I decided to do this atmospheric firing in my fire pit at home. One Necklace Pendant cracked but everything else made it.  Here are my steps that I followed: Layered bricks on the bottom of my pit so  I didnt crack my pit. Layered sawdust on top of the bricks to make a 6inch layer. Wrapped copper wire around some pots, placed horse hair inside some pieces, wrapped steel wool around some, wrapped copper scribes around some, placed felt on some. Arranged pots in sawdust Sprinkled table salt around and on some pots Sprinkled Coffee grinds and orange peels around pots Sprinkled Miracle Grow around the pots Threw Vermiculite on half the pots Placed banana peels on one pot Placed

Early African Ceramics date back to the 7th Millennium BC.  The pots were made by hand or in a mold by the women and used for water, cooking and spiritual rituals marking life's transitions. Once dry they were put in a pile and covered with wood, grass, dung etc and fired. Nigeria and Mali were known to also use real kilns.  These older pieces were fragile, heavy and very hard to find today. The textures are intoxicating on these pots. The Art of African Clay: Ancient Historic African Ceramics- Back Cover Africa | Earthen Elegance ~ African Ceramic Vessel From The Newark Museum Collection African Ceramics Today Clementina van der Walt Clementina van der Walt from:   http://www.ceramics-sa-cape.co.za/portfolio/clementina-van-der-walt Clementina van der Walt is a South African Ceramic Artist that has a studio in Woodstock, Cape Town. Her work is delightful and is known for both her bright colors as well as her earth tone pieces. She has