Slipwork-- Sgrafitto!

It's been a busy weekend and I haven't posted in a couple of days, but I have spent time in the studio. Life is exhausting sometimes and while I spent time with close friends this weekend which was simply wonderful, I've been trying to decide what to do as I continue to be out of work. I've decided... and I'll share more tomorrow.
Meanwhile.... Thankfully, I can still center clay and great things are happening in the studio-- time there has been the best thing for me. With only two more of the ten week 'Slipware' class sessions, I've had a good amount of time to try new ways to apply slip to clay. I've decided that I most of all, like to make forms and put writing into them (sgrafitto)--- like the plate above.
In high school I learned a little calligraphy and this has helped in my penmanship, when I want it to. I really write much different on paper as you can see in the newspaper writing above when I wrote down some of the words from a song-- - this is my usual writing-- much more sloppy, but in comparison, I like this particular handwriting that I put on the plate. It's part of the lyrics to one of Peter Mayer's songs called 'Blue Guitar'. I REALLY want to make many more of these kinds of plates and would like to sell these too-- with personalized quotes, etc. I really like how the writing is not perfect, with each line straight. I want it to appear on the plate as if writing was just scribbled down-- but maybe the penmanship is too good? I want it to be readable-- Will have to think about that.... Also put slip on these plates above and these designs...
I really like the depth and variety of the slip on the one below. (Hard to see in the pic, sorry!)
To make the design on this plate, I first poured slip from one side of the plate just onto the top part of it, and then wiped the rim of the plate with a sponge while the slip was still wet. Then I waited a bit for the slip to set and then started the design work.

I also used my fingertips to etch some different designs on these particular plates--- flowers and stars- the stars always have symbolized hope for me. I added some smaller stars onto that plate after the picture, using a sgrafitto tool for additional depth. Drawing images isn't really one of my fortes, but I think these are a good start.
Also used a sponge to dab some blue and white slip on the outside of this yunomi.In the middle of all this slipwork, I also spent a bunch of time just talking with friends, which was a great thing. In this pic, L-R is John, Minke, and Elaine. We had several tea breaks.

Sunday-- today was a gorgeous day, so as tired as I was and as beautiful as it was out, I couldn't stay in the studio all afternoon, so I went to the park and rested on a blanket and took a short nap, catching a little sun. :) Losing an hour of sleep last night, plus a couple nights of non-restful sleep meant I have been tired for most of the day. Tonight will be different.