Mary Fischer Workshop: Printing on Clay

Don't miss this great workshop by our June 2014 exhibition artist!

Artist's workshop description:
We will use mason stains and slips to learn several different techniques for printing on clay. We will also learn to make ceramic ink to use for printing etching plates, pronto plates and linoleum block or hard rubber stamps.
Silk screens and decals will not be part of this class. After each demonstration, participants will be given time to practice the technique.

Participants are encouraged to bring images they wish to work with. They should also bring stamps, linoleum blocks, laser photocopies and etching plates they wish to print.

 

The following techniques will be demonstrated and practiced:

1. Mason Stain + Water - Paint an even coat of stain mixed with water on a piece of plexiglass. When dry, place a piece of paper over the stain and draw or trace an image. This image will adhere to the back of the paper which is then placed on a slab of clay. Some stamps can be used to pick up stain and then press into clay. Different tools make different marks, so a variety will be used.

2. Mason Stain + Water - Mix stain with water, keeping it rather runny. Using a soft brush, paint a lazier copy or image from a slick paper magazine with the mix. The ink will repel the water which will adhere to the rest of the paper. Then the stain is dry, place the image on wet clay to transfer. Using this technique, images with words need to be reversed so that they read correctly. This is where Photoshop comes into play. Images can be scanned into a computer and manipulated to read correctly, make a negative image or any number of other things.
(This is not a class in using the computer however.)

3. Mason Stain + Slip - Mix 2 or 3 different colored slips. Use these to paint a design onto a piece of paper or fabric. This is then transferred to clay. Different tools can be used to draw designs through one layer of slip and a different colored slip applied over the first layer. This is a method similar to making monoprints on paper.

4. Ceramic Ink - Make ceramic ink using mason stain and stand oil and linseed oil. Use this to ink and print etching plates, pronto plates, laser photo copies, linoleum blocks or rubber stamps.

Brief Biography: Mary Fischer is an Austin-area ceramic artist whose work is focused on architecture - structures based on local venacular or artist fantasy.

Location: Lone Star College North Harris

Cost: EARLY BIRD (before April 16) $200 + $10 clay fee;
AFTER April 16: $250 + $10 clay fee

Cancellation Policy:
Cancel before 5/1/14: $35 processing fee
Cancel after 5/1/14: no refund

Please make your check out to 18 Hands Gallery and mail to 249-B W. 19th Street, Houston, TX 77008. If you would like to pay by credit card, please call the Gallery at 713-869-3099 during regular business hours (W-Sat, 10 - 6, Sun., 12 - 5.

You are also invited to attend an Opening Reception on Saturday, June 1st 6-9PM at 18 Hands Gallery, 249-B W. 19th, Houston.

For more information: 713-869-3099.