It’s that funny time of year in Ottawa where the ground is still a bit too frozen for the golf clubs, but the light in the studio is starting to change. While I’m waiting for the greens to wake up, I’ve been taking advantage of the extra "home days" to really slow down and focus on surface design.
Lately, I’ve been pushing myself out of my comfort zone—moving away from my usual smooth finishes and diving into the world of Zentangle-inspired carving, underglaze transfers, and detailed layering.
Finding the Flow with Zentangles
There is something incredibly meditative about sitting with a leather-hard piece and a carving tool. I’ve started incorporating Zentangle patterns into my forms, letting the repetitive lines dictate the texture. It’s a slow process, but there's a rhythmic quality to it that reminds me of a good day on the course—focus, precision, and just being in the moment.
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| Zentangle pattern: Pokeroot which I made them looking more like cherries :p |
Layering the Magic: Underglaze Transfers
I’ve also been experimenting with underglaze transfers. It feels like a bit of pottery "magic" every time I peel that paper back to reveal a crisp design on the damp clay. I’ve been playing with layering these transfers over soft washes of color to create a sense of depth that I just can't get with standard dipping.
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| New mugs |
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