• Aurora is a series of individualized, but thematically related, stoneware ceramic plates and bowls.
• These works are inspired by and dedicated to the memory of my recently departed sister.
• They are created for exhibition at Dishtopia, a new gallery in Tampa, FL.
• As the series name suggests, design and coloration are inspired by the dawn. The yellows of the awakening sun in doily design dispel the background purple darkness of the fading night.
• Construction sequence:
  • All are wheel thrown works.
  • Trimmed in the leather-hard state.
  • Air-brushed underglazes applied.
  • Kiln firing done.
  • China paints added to modify designs.
  • Multiple refirings to cone 015.
• Date: 2009.
• Sizes: 8.0" x 1.75" to 9.75" x 1.5"
• Available for purchase
• Priced individually (see below): Prices $50-$100.

CREATIVE PROCESS

      IN PRINCIPIO  

• A wheel-thrown plate with subtle coloration suggestive of advancing dawn brightening the night sky.
• The series name derives from that of the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora. It also refers to the ethereal polar lights of the same name.
• The design of each of the plates is enhanced with different doily impressions.
• "In principio" is from the opening Latin biblical phrase "In the beginning," reflecting the first glow of the dawn.

• Subtle nuances of coloration applied by air-spraying liquid underglazing to the surface bring out its dawn-like suggestions.

• After klin firing to cone 06, overglazing  is done with China paints to give some contrasting dramatic effect.
• Size: 9.5" x 1.25".
• Price: $50.  

      SONG OF THE LARK     

• Another modification in design and coloration, showing an angulated view on the left to emphasize the delicate yellow coloration that has been applied to the rim of the plate.

• Further modifications in coloration and design embellish the face of this piece.
• Kiln firings are undertaken as needed between applications of overglazes.

• More development in color enhancement with China paints is achieved, plus intervening firings as this piece nears completion.
• Size: 9.0" x 1.5"
• Price: $65

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       HOPE

• Bold purple stripe and other embellishments are applied to this plate by air-brushing technique.
• Front and side view are illustrated here.

• This stoneware wheel-thrown plate is part of a series of ceramic plates created with dawn-inspired coloration, particularly yellows and purples, applied in the form of underglazes, shown here in the early unfinished state.

• Further modification of this piece using China paints in layers. The work is fired repetitively to cone 015 after each layer of paint is applied
• Size: 8" x 1.5".
• Price: $50.

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      LOVE'S GLIMMERING

• Yet another variation on the Aurora theme created by air-brushing underglazes applied to this plate.
• It is intended to show the day's awakening as the blue tones of the brightening sky begin to dominate.

• Kiln firing is done to cone 06.
• Clear glossy glaze is applied and the plate is refiring to cone 06.

• Coloration is continued with China paints.
• A halo rose luster is applied to the center to create bursts of red color and thus complete the work.
• Size: 9.75" x 1.5".
• Price: $75

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      TRUTH IS BEAUTY

• This bowl is first wheel-thrown and trimmed.
• The sunflower design was inspired by the sunflowers blooming across from my studio window.
• Air-brushing and sgrafitto work was done with underglazes to impart the desired sunflower design effect for this further addition to the Aurora series.
• The piece is initially fired to cone 06.
• "Truth is beauty" cites the end of Keats' poem "Ode on a Grecian Urn."

• After its kiln firing, a clear glaze is applied to provide a glossy surface.
• Refiring to cone 5/6 completes this work in its final form.
• Size: 8" x 1.75". 
• Sold.

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           BEAUTY TRUTH

• Another in the Aurora plate series shows the delicate nuances of coloration.
• Front and back of the piece, as seen here, illustrate the early phase of its development.
• Coloring is achieved by air-brushed application of liquid underglazes, maintaining the basic doily plate design.

• The opportunities for imaginative development are afforded by China paints.
• The piece shows the advantages of using China paints in multiple layers to bring out the deeper tones of vibrant colors on the surface of the ceramic work.
• Its name, "Beauty Truth," continues the line from Keats' "Ode on a Grecian Urn,"
• Each layer is kiln fired to cone 015 in sequence before the next layer is applied.
• Size: 9.0" x 1.5".
• Price: $75

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      SPIRIT ARISING

• An additional wheel-thrown plate is created and embellished using similar motifs of dawn-like underglazed coloration, comparable doily design, and dream-like reflective lighting.

• Subtle colors, applied by air-brushing of underglazes, are shown in the early evolving version of this plate.
• They are intended to emphasize the dawn-like mood of the reawakening day.

• Application of multiple layers of China paints enhances the depth of the coloration.
• Each layer is subjected to repetitive kiln firings to cone 015.
• Size: 9.0" x 1.5".
• Price: $50. 

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      DAWN'S GLOW *

• A further development of the Aurora theme, this plate was thrown, tooled and trimmed.
• It was fired first in the bisque state to cone 06.
• Photo-silkscreening was done. Air-brushed gold and blue glazes added as design embellishments.
• Sgraffito technique used for surface details. Sanding done to modify the texture in preparation for its refiring.
• Size: 9.5" x 2.0".
• Available for purchase: Price $75.

* Work in progress