Lyda Rose Art Gallery

In September 1999 I decided to take a clay hand building class in hopes of relieving some stress. The price was moderate and it didn’t require much equipment. Also, it was only an eight-week commitment. Using common household items (i.e., cans, bottles, plastic cups, etc.) to drape over or around, or paper patters I devise on my computer, I create vases, bowls, wall pockets, candleholders and more from slabs of clay. I also make faces/masks from solid balls of clay. In 2004, the flowers in my yard inspired me! Could I reproduce them in clay? Needless to say, I have better success with some than others. All my flowers and leaves are hand-cut and shaped. Although I occasionally use stencil for leaves, most of the flora and foliage is cut individually from real leaves, cut from a pattern I make myself, or freehanded with a craft knife. Then I apply them to my vases, pockets and potpourri bowls and hope they make it through the fires. Luckily for me, they usually do! There are many kinds of clay but I use mainly raku and mid-range porcelain. Currently, I use commercial under glazes and glazes. As for firing my work, I use an electric kiln and a gas raku kiln. I enjoy my work immensely and am always looking forward to what I can create next.