This is a process shot of the bowls being trimmed, which involves cleaning up the bottom and drawing mountains on each bowl after I have thrown the ceramics on the wheel and it has slightly dried. Earthenware is the term for this ceramic stage.
It is an honour to create conference gifts for GROWW: Guiding interdisciplinary Research On Women’s and girls’ health and Wellbeing. GROWW aspires to change the way women's health research is conducted in Canada by removing academic and institutional barriers and taking an intersectional approach to understanding girls' and women's health across the lifespan.
Holding an earthenware ceramic bowl. Don’t mind my bike in the background, sometimes it has to share the space :)
GROWW is a collection of people from all around Canada who are passionately interested in women's health. 57 scholars and 21 collaborators from 8 provinces and 1 territory make up this group.
These bowls are fired at the bisque stage of the kiln process. In order to make the earthenware bowls sturdy enough to be handled and porous enough to soak up the glaze, I fire them to a porous bisque that is just below the final temperature.
This program aligns with my values as GROWW aims to inspire those who are committed to advancing women's health and to make a positive difference in the lives of all people who identify as women.
“Breaking boundaries to envision a better future for all women.”
The GROWW program welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about women's health to collaborate and I appreciate that groups like this are connecting and collaborating for a better future.
Process shot after I finish emptying the kiln. These bowls are lined up and sorted to begin the colour application, glazing process.
Applying glaze to the bowls. A ceramic glaze is an impenetrable covering or coating of a vitreous substance that has been fired into a pottery body. Glaze can be used to waterproof, embellish, or paint an object. By sealing the characteristic porosity of unglazed bisqued earthenware, glazing transforms earthenware vessels into containers fit for containing liquids and results in a more durable surface. Glazes can create a variety of surface finishes, including hues and degrees of glossy or matte finish, I use glaze to improve the underlying pattern or texture, whether it has been painted, carved, or engraved. These bisqued bowls will then undergo a second firing in the kiln to achieve their final stoneware state, making them dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe.
I am thankful to be <small> part of an program that fuses science and art and enables their participants to clearly define personal goals that have an impact on the real world. Thank you inspirational change-makers for including me to create your personal gift and I hope that you can feel the loving energy I put into each bowl. Keep up the amazing journey.
For more information on the GROWW program please go to: https://www.growwprogram.com/
