Bringing the Garden to Studio

I started working on a new project in clay. In addition to working in studio, I love working in my garden. One of my frustrations with my garden has been finding garden tags that I like. I like form as much as function in my garden! So, I decided to try some of the techniques I use to make ceramic jewelry to create some garden tags.

I roll out the clay on a large stamp I use for impressions in clay. Then, using a circle cutter that I bent into an oval, I cut out the clay discs that will become the garden tags. Once I have the clay discs cut out, I use a small square punch cutter to cut the hole that will be used to hang them on a metal stake.


I like to use underglazes with my clay pieces  and I think they will work well for the garden tags as well. Once the clay has dried completely, I use pan underglazes to paint with a watercolor feel on the clay. I often paint the color over the clay and then wipe off the glaze from the raised areas. I like the effect.

I'm not sure that my handwriting with a brush is up to the task, but we'll see how it goes. I will probably add a clear glaze and do a 2nd firing of the discs before they are complete.

I'll keep you posted on how they turn out!

Return to Studio

 Last night, I was able to spend some time in studio, which is something I have not been able to do for quite some time. I was pleasantly surprised to find ceramic pieces that I had made that were just waiting for someone to take the time to finish them.

I have a number of clay pieces that I have created by making impressions of things that I find interesting in nature, leaves, flowers, and such. I use Amaco semi-moist underglazes to paint colors and details. I fire them in a small jewelry kiln, and then I add a coat of clear glaze and fire them again.

One item I am excited to see completed is a small ocarina that I created. I am hoping that I got the walls thin enough and the angle of the mouth piece correct so that it can actually be played. If it works, I would love to make more. I have a lot of ideas of interesting designs that could be a part of the whistle.

I love working with the underglazes because they are very much like painting with watercolor, which I love. I found myself using a triple 000 brush for some of the details.

It was only a couple of hours, but the effects will hopefully last me for several days. Working in studio is my therapy and I hope to go back for another dose very soon! It's good for the soul!

A Place To Begin

Autumn Ballet

Autumn seems the perfect time to look back at one of my favorite pastel paintings and a perfect time to begin something new.  I have always loved the textures of Autumn and it always awakens any dormant creative juices that may have gotten sluggish from the organized chaos of my every day life.

I work as a teacher by day, have a wonderful husband and two daughters who are 12 and 16. Needless to say, there are times when it seems the cobwebs are the only art taking place around my desk in studio.

I find I cannot escape the ache I feel when I do not have a creative release. So, today, November 2, 2012, I am starting a blog that will be a place for me to be able to share the art that I create. I decided to call my blog Katno's Nature for a couple of reasons. One, I have a first name that I am never called unless it's something official which makes me think of all of the 'responsibilities' of life and my middle name is the one I respond to. So I am using a combination of the two to create  "Katno". Nature, that's the easy part. The beauty and wonders of nature have always been the biggest inspiration for my creativity.

I love to spend time outside in the garden and I find that whether it's sweet peas, strawberries, or irises, I  am inspired by my garden. I enjoy painting in watercolor, creating pastel paintings, creating PMC jewelry, and creating jewelry pieces with clay. It's the textures, lines, play of light, and colors that intrigue me, regardless of the medium.

The first piece I have selected to share is a pastel painting I completed a few years ago. It is a playful piece that allows you to see the 'dance' of the milkweed as I see it on a crisp day. It is my hope that keeping this blog will allow and/or force me to express myself on a more regular basis in order to help restore balance to my own well being. Hopefully, this will also be of some interest to those who just enjoy art and art inspired by nature.