Wednesday 1 January 2014

The mermaid bowl



A very Happy new year to you all!
 This is my first post of 2014 and I wanted to share a little piece of what I have been up to over the past few days in between the seasonal revelry and mince pies.
I love a type of pottery called Cloisonné. It uses enamel and wires on top of a formed base, baked in a kiln to produce fantastic vibrant effects. It is very ancient form of art used as far back as ancient Egyptian times.

File:Cloisonné Teller makffm 11420.jpg
18th century cloisonné Chinese plate ( Wikipedia commons )
 This type of work uses metal and ceramic and as you know I am more at home with paper and glue, so this is my attempt at a collaged cloisonné style bowl.


 I bought a plain bamboo bowl, painted it metallic blue and collaged a little mermaid onto it using left over scraps of Christmas paper. ( always looking for a way to cut down the excess waste of Christmas!) On Christmas morning I did annoy some by insisting they unwrapped their gifts carefully and fold up the discarded paper carefully but there is method in my madness.....


 I used lots  of the shiny gilt pieces for some shimmer.I am a bit of a magpie when it comes to shiny paper!


I then gave it a wash of deep ultramarine and added the mermaids hair, again cut from gold wrapping paper.


Being collaged the bowl isn't usable it is really only for decoration, but practicality and me are not always the best of friends :)




I like the result, and although not cloisonne I think it has the feel of enamel.
 I am trying other projects using re-cycled bits and bobs and I am hoping this year as my resolution to get my etsy shop finally up and running so anything I make can go straight on there. When I do I shall pass on the details.



 may your new year bring lots of creative light!

Linking up to the Art share website Paint party Friday
And as a post script linking very happily to the Artists Playroom Newly opened for artists to show and share what the week has brought in terms of creative fun.



35 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Morag. What a great project. Your bowl is amazing!!!

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  2. Morag, this is stunning! Your work always inspires me with it's beautiful lines, colour and sparkle!

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  3. WOW! I always appreciate the way you take us through the process of your creations, and it shows how much work and inventiveness you put into each piece. Your concept of letting the cloisonné bowl inspire you is a flash of genius, and the result is - as Linda says - stunning. I was amazed at the 'sea change' that came over the work when you added the ultramarine. I always love the way you create the hair - such patience - and the fish are great. Just looking at this has given me such pleasure today, thank you. Good luck in getting your Etsy shop up and running.

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  4. That looks geogous!! Incredible that this wonder piece has be done by a bamboo bowl and glittery paper.... ok and your artfut "rest" :) And to be honest: A bowl like this is not thought for using it weather this is possible or not. Using it means that its wonderful design cant be seen anymore

    Best, Beate

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  5. Your bowl is beautiful! I would like to put a photo of it on Pinterest. Is that okay with you?

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  6. That bowl is stunning! happy New year.

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  7. what a lovely project- Rainbow indeed on a plate well done !!

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  8. Morag this bowl will be a special one, gorgeous! Happy New year my friend!
    Hugs Kat

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  9. Happy New Year. Thanks for the comment on my blog...I wouldn't have found you:)
    Lovely work and process. I will read more!
    I am painting a mermaid bowl right now that I hope to fire tonight. Mermaids are in the air....cheers!

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  10. A very promising way to start 2014! I love the flowing hair of the mermaids and the deep reflective blue of the waters. As always, it's been interesting to follow your process step by step and I appreciate the reusing of the Christmas paper to create art: from one gift to another. :)

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  11. I LOVE your bowl!!! It´s gorgeous! Did you put a layer of glue on top? Here in Sweden we have a glue called "Marvin medium". It is white when wet, but as it dries it dosn´t show any, except from that it makes it more shiny. It protects the surface, and you can wipe the dust off when needed without destroying the paper you have glued on the bowl. But you can not wash it in water as it turnes wet after a few minutes and starts looking white again. Even if you don´t have Marvin medium, you should probably have some other glue that you can use in the same way. Or something that can handle moister a bit more. This bowl is really worth saving. It is so beautyful!
    Hope you´ll have a great 2014!!

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  12. Totally fantastic, I love it! Happy 2014 and happy PPF, Valerie

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  13. Wow, what a transformation from the bamboo. It truly does now look like a cloisonné bowl. So clever and so creative - I love that you used a lot of recycled materials.
    Happy New Year!

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  14. Wow. your bowl looks gorgeous! Beautiful work! Have a very happy and creative 2014!

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  15. Gorgeous bowl Morag...did you put many layers of varnish on it?.... if you do you could use it for non food items....but really it would be a shame to cover the beautiful images...Wonderful process.... thanks for sharing it!! By the way I like to save good paper too it's very old school...but I don't care. Now mostly bags are used!! You are off to a great start for 2014! Wishing you more joy and creative abundance!

    Hugs Giggles

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  16. I really love the faux cloisonné bowl! The bright colors make it appear to be the real thing. And who cares that it is not useable? It is a beautiful piece of art. Display it proudly.

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  17. wow-your bowl is absolutely stunning!!! Just gorgeous. I had to smile at your having things carefully unwrapped to save the papers-I do the same and recycle them too:) Happy PPF and 2014!

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  18. Ohhhh mmyyyy this is simply amazing art. Thank you for sharing the process. I keep going back to look at it. Stunning.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  19. Fabulous technique and beautiful bowl! The siren song of your mermaid is simply entrancing!!

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  20. looks great happy new year..what a fabulous bowl

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  21. Wow! What a beautiful bowl and such an inspiring project! The final effect looks so lovely. Happy PPF and Happy New Year!

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  22. Your mermaid bowl is amazing morag! I love all the little fish :) I will look forward to the opening of your etsy shop!!

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  23. i get excited with anticipation when visiting you blog. your bowl is lovely. i like what happened when you applied the ultramarine and the mermaid's yellow hair. a lovely project. once again you are a well of inspiration, morag.

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  24. Your bowl is FANTASTIC! I have always loved cloisonné and I do think this has that feel. I also love collage and think this is just a wonderful idea. Hope things go well with your etsy shop.

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  25. What a beautiful bowl! I love the depth you have achieved with the different layers and colors. Simply wonderful!

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  26. This is breathtaking! It is now one of my favorite pieces of yours thus far. Happy New Year!

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  27. That is amazing! What a creative use for a plain bowl!

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  28. wow, now that's so original and gorgeous. I love that it's not flat, that it's a bowl. amazing job!

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  29. Happy New Year Morag...you're certainly off to a fabulous start producing something so beautiful and ingenious ;D
    I adore the colour and the mermaids hair just adds to perfection.
    Thank you for sharing the whole process...it's just shows how talented, patient and creative you are.
    Good Luck for your Etsy shop I'm sure it'll be a huge success!

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  30. lovely and fairy blue
    LOVE your creation

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  31. Wow, she is beautiful! :-)
    Happy New Year and good luck with setting up your easy-shop!
    Ilona

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  32. This is lovely!! And I had never heard of cloisionné but it looks like enamel to me!

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  33. Woah..amazing and beautiful...such fantastical- wowness!! You are such a magicianess...very inspiring..such gorgeous creations..very special and sacred...and filled with enchantment!
    Shine on!
    Victoria

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  34. Gosh Morag this is STUNNING! Wow what more can I say? It really does have the effect of cloisonne. If you give it a couple of layers of varnish it can be cleaned easily on the surface. :)
    I too saved any pieces of paper that caught my eye from christmas and birthday. I have a good stash of lovely bits and pieces now! All I need to do is to get my back into the flow again. ;)
    Jess xx

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