The Clay Canvas

Whether you are a potter, painter or hobbyist, you'll find that creative painting on ceramics will provide you a canvas for self-expression, and add an extra dimension to your work; will personalize your environment and help you create one-of-a-kind gifts for family, friends and clients. Clear step-by-step instructions and seven design projects are combined with suggestions for finding inspiration in a variety of source materials. A gallery of color photographs illustrate the beautiful and professional results you can achieve. Information on what supplies are needed and where they can be found, and on setting up a business will get you "fired up" about the possibilities.

"The vessels in the pages that follow open to us a world flickering with the light of a people's collective character and shared philosophy. These vessels have bodies of clay, but they float before us in the zero gravity of wisdom and belief."-- Edwin L. Wade Canvas of Clay tells the story of Hopi ceramics from the 14th century to recent times, offering a particularly close look at the art and life of the master potter Nampeyo (1860-1942). It analyzes the specific dynamics of nearly 100 jars and bowls, all richly illustrated, weaving in many insights into Hopi history, aesthetics, and symbolism. Included are original schematic drawings that will help readers understand how pottery decoration is built from ingeniously combined design elements. This book is a glorious testament to a brilliant art form and its practitioners, presented with passion, knowledge, and respect.

Hand painting ceramics is a creative and practical art accessible to everyone. Clear step-by-step instructions for every step of the ceramic process are combined with suggestions for finding inspiration. Color photographs illustrate professional results you can achieve on tiles, vases, dinnerware, and small murals. Indeed, any clay surface can become a canvas for self-expression.

Create Beautiful Paintings With Dimension Forge a bold creative path by adding hand-sculpted elements to your two-dimensional work. Discover an entirely fresh and fun approach for creating fine art with paper clay, developed by artist and teacher Rogene Mañas. This all-new bas-relief art form combines air-drying clay, paint, collage and texture to build dimensional mixed-media works that pop right off the wall. The book is divided into four parts: • Part 1: Working with Clay - Techniques and tips to begin working with clay in bas-relief, starting with the absolute basics. Includes 15 easy practice projects to work on cutting, shaping, sculpting and stamping. • Part 2: Clay Work Projects - 5 full step-by-step clay-art project demos. Create your own art using Rogene's methods for composing, sculpting, placing and drying. • Part 3: Finishing Techniques - Finish the 5 demonstrations from Part 2 with different painting, collage and mixed-media techniques. • Part 4: Get Creative - Includes ideas for framing, practice patterns, creative exercises and additional three-dimensional art projects and gifts. Whether you're a seasoned sculptor or just starting out, Artful Paper Clay will teach you the skills necessary to craft complex and vivacious multi-dimensional masterpieces and paint them for gorgeous effect.

Apply interesting and inspired surface techniques to your ceramic work through twenty step-by-step projects, including a combed mug, faceted jug, and more. Carve Your Clay takes you through creative techniques that produce amazing, dynamic results, including inlay, piercing, sgraffito, etching, relief carving, wire cutting, and more. Gain new skills as you complete twenty projects featuring author Hilda Carr’s signature style, each with clear step-by-step photography and easy-to-follow instruction to achieve beautiful results. This comprehensive book includes an easy guide on how to create basic forms, as well as glazing and firing techniques. Whether you are new to ceramics or are a more experienced potter looking to explore new surface design techniques, Carve Your Clay will educate and inspire you. “Profusely and effective illustrated throughout, a complete course of thoroughly user friendly and artist inspiring instruction making it an ideal DIY manual.” —Midwest Book Review