LeeU

I was very happy when I got Sueharu Fukami's book and there was a series of photos demonstrating his creative techniques. Finally I had some proof those works really were created by a human.
 
 

Steve Reynolds ('40-'07 &  past President of NCECA) was visiting professor in my last semester at VCU School of the Arts/Ceramics. He was addressing sculpture (and social commentary)  but would start off with the most perfectly, seemingly effortlessly, thrown pots--before he smacked, squished & whacked them into another realm of beingness. This was in the early '80s, which was such a vibrant time;  contemporary art was lurching and soaring, as evolving postmodernism.

Steve Reynolds ('40-'07 &  past President of NCECA) was visiting professor in my last semester at VCU School of the Arts/Ceramics. He was addressing sculpture (and social commentary)  but would start off with the most perfectly, seemingly effortlessly, thrown pots--before he smacked, squished & whacked them into another realm of beingness. This was in the early '80s, which was such a vibrant time;  contemporary art was lurching and soaring, as evolving postmodernism.

Steve Reynolds ('40-'07 &  past President of NCECA) was visiting professor in my last semester at VCU School of the Arts/Ceramics. He was addressing sculpture (and social commentary)  but would start off with the most perfectly, seemingly effortlessly, thrown pots--before he smacked, squished & whacked them into another realm of beingness. This was in the early '80s, which was such a vibrant time;  contemporary art was lurching and soaring, as evolving postmodernism.

Steve Reynolds ('40-'07 &  past President of NCECA) was visiting professor in my last semester at VCU School of the Arts/Ceramics. He was addressing sculpture (and social commentary)  but would start off with the most perfectly, seemingly effortlessly, thrown pots--before he smacked, squished & whacked them into another realm of beingness. This was in the early '80s, which was such a vibrant time;  contemporary art was lurching and soaring, as evolving postmodernism.

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

I was taking a community sculpture class and decided to make a lions head sculpture for a fountain.  My teacher thought it was so beautiful that we should make a silicone mold of it,  I don't think she knew anymore about it than I did.   I bought the expensive spray separator and sprayed it according to directions and covered the head with several tubs of silicone.  I couldn't get it off,  I asked my teacher what should I do and she said to burn off the silicone in my kiln.  That turned out to be a smokey disaster,  the smoke went up 3 stories in the stair well.  My son and I hung out on the balcony until it cleared up,  I am glad it was dark our neighbors probably would have called the fire department with all of the smoke coming out of a 3rd floor window.   My kitchen ceiling was the only thing smoke damaged,   I prime and painted it the next day,  my husband had was out of town.   I didn't tell him what happened,  he did comment on how clean the house looked when he got home.   I had dusted every inch of it, even the ceilings.  Denice

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

My worst screw up was generating an emotional wound. I know how to load a kiln properly. The mistake I made was in part due to cognitive deficts (memory/acting on flawed recall) , but also  due to arrogence (know-it-all ism/being over confident). My sister made some pieces in a community class. She was very pleased with her stuff and her pieces were really lovely. She actually hauled the glazed greenware up to NH from VA on her vacation.  One piece was a beautiful tray. My half shelves where I put the tray were not aligned at the same level--one was about an inch higher. I placed the tray with one end of it extending over the gap. My sister asked me if it would be OK that way. I assured her it was fine. She asked several times--I wish she had said she just plain didn't want me to do it. Each time I said it would be fine. I fired it like that and of course it warped and was useless. I have no idea what I was thinking or why I didn't reload the kiln to avoid the situation. I absolutely know/knew better.  The worst of it is we have never bounced back or healed from that, because the loss, the disappointment, was just one more in previous and subsequent other problems afflicting our relationship-still unresolved. Apology if TMI.  And just FYI, I'm OK-I've perfected the art of self-forgiveness when such is essential for my own well-being. 

Yes, IMO this does work for other gypsum and plaster surfaces. stucco, interior plaster walls, cement …… kill the mold, power wash clean when possible, dry thoroughly and seal as practical to reduce the absorption. Painting interior plaster surfaces has always been the norm to add significant longevity to them. I think it’s a good practical idea.  For this: making sure all mold is killed, non destructive cleaning, thorough drying, then painting to preserve the fine detail would be some thoughts that strike me. As always testing thoroughly prior is key to me.

@Pres  You may get a kick out of this. By focussing on my non-ceramic plans for the summer (thin-to-none) I was poked and prodded by my Self to confront what the heck I am doing/not doing in Clay Life. It dawned on me that by freeing up some space and gaining extra spendoolies I'll end having a studio that's more conduceive to where my head's at. So I did some projections and serious thinking and (overdue) ordered some new fresh glazes and some new fresh clay. I'll still intersperse day trips to the river with my stayclaycation. 

OK---now I am really curious!! Does anyone have any actual experience or a well-founded opinion on using a spray enamel (or brushed on) for this type of issue? Not necessarily for the OP's situation, but just regarding enamel over plaster that has discoloration which may-- or may not-- be mold.

@Pres  You may get a kick out of this. By focussing on my non-ceramic plans for the summer (thin-to-none) I was poked and prodded by my Self to confront what the heck I am doing/not doing in Clay Life. It dawned on me that by freeing up some space and gaining extra spendoolies I'll end having a studio that's more conduceive to where my head's at. So I did some projections and serious thinking and (overdue) ordered some new fresh glazes and some new fresh clay. I'll still intersperse day trips to the river with my stayclaycation. 

@Pres  You may get a kick out of this. By focussing on my non-ceramic plans for the summer (thin-to-none) I was poked and prodded by my Self to confront what the heck I am doing/not doing in Clay Life. It dawned on me that by freeing up some space and gaining extra spendoolies I'll end having a studio that's more conduceive to where my head's at. So I did some projections and serious thinking and (overdue) ordered some new fresh glazes and some new fresh clay. I'll still intersperse day trips to the river with my stayclaycation. 

May I suggest that you make a few more birds, a little practice/experimentation goes a long way.
Then maybe try for a hollow bird
How to make a hollow bird form using thumb pots
... Make a small through hole with a skewer to let any steam generated during firing escape.
You can make some bowl-ish items by draping thin class clay slabs over a balloon.
e.g. clay over a balloon https://www.pinterest.co.uk/jazzdd76/clay-over-a-balloon/
... which also mentions a few projects, such as

More balloon ideas at Pottery Ballon Technique https://www.pinterest.ca/black3200/pottery-ballon-technique/

I haven't taken a vacation since before the pandemic and I'm not up for flying anywhere. What I do is travel by myself or w/a friend, on day trips where there's not tons of people. I may go to the ocean along NH or ME, for a couple of days, off season.
This summer, my primary plan is to use the time to accomplish two things.  One, I will sell an entire room-full of good quality "yard sale" type items. That is actually a lot of work, as it all goes online-not allowed to hold sales where I live.  Two, I will streamline my studio .  There's a good bit of materials, tools, supplies, equipment, the wheel, etc. that I will sell (will just do handbuilding).  I am  freeing up space so I can get back to painting/other media--so that counts as non-ceramics LOL. 

If you would like a bit more of a smooth finish, around the eyes, where there are some little clay burrs making rough spots, just take a little piece of sandpaper, or even a good scrubby, and give it a wipe-those burrs once fired can feel quite sharp to little fingers. 

So sorry for your loss-that has to be excruciating. Others here  with more knowledge will probably weigh in shortly. What I will say for now: do nothing until you get the info that seems best. You don't know what type of casting material was used & the powder/water mix per se tells you nothing. I'd call the facility ask them to give you the correct namee of the "plaster" that was used. If cleaning methods that may be suggested aren't what you decide to do, perhaps consider a simple application of a high quality spray enamel in a light color, perhaps like a pearl finish-just a thought.  

So sorry for your loss-that has to be excruciating. Others here  with more knowledge will probably weigh in shortly. What I will say for now: do nothing until you get the info that seems best. You don't know what type of casting material was used & the powder/water mix per se tells you nothing. I'd call the facility ask them to give you the correct namee of the "plaster" that was used. If cleaning methods that may be suggested aren't what you decide to do, perhaps consider a simple application of a high quality spray enamel in a light color, perhaps like a pearl finish-just a thought.  

I got turned on to this site by ceramicist John Baymore, a former member known to many.  He invited me to particpate in some firings of the large anagama kiln built by him & his students (New Hampshire Institute of Art). I knew about ICAN/CAD but hadn't checked out the Forum site. I had my BFA in ceramics but had taken a 30 year career detour and was trying to get back into it in my retirement years. He suggested the Forum as a reliable resource and supportive community, which of course it has proven to be. And I will add, even tho I am less active, I still feel "part of" and this group process helps sustain me even as I cut back/slow down on activity. 

If you would like a bit more of a smooth finish, around the eyes, where there are some little clay burrs making rough spots, just take a little piece of sandpaper, or even a good scrubby, and give it a wipe-those burrs once fired can feel quite sharp to little fingers.