Ceramics Explorations (2023)

Documenting my recent foray into the world of ceramics and handbuilding.

Last autumn, I took an intro to clay class and quickly fell in love with making small ceramics. Although I tried both wheel throwing and handbuilding, I gravitated much more toward handbuilding. It's so much fun to sculpt small animals and things I want around my own place!

Since I've been illustrating for a long time, I come to ceramics from a somewhat unique angle—ceramics for me are more like the vessel for painting. My favorite step of the process is underglazing, when I paint patterns and faces onto the clay.

It's been really nice having a hobby that is a total departure from the screen. I spend so much time on my computer, iPad, and phone. When I'm at the local ceramics studio, with my hands covered in clay, I can totally focus on just the task in front of me—molding a lump of mud into something (hopefully) understandable, and using paint to transform it into something new and lovely.

The first ringholder/trinket dish I made.

The first ringholder/trinket dish I made.

I always love seeing how the colors turn out in the final piece—it's always a bit of a surprise!

I always love seeing how the colors turn out in the final piece—it's always a bit of a surprise!

Little things made for the house: A candle, toothbrush holders, and a tiny cat.

Little things made for the house: A candle, toothbrush holders, and a tiny cat.

Little figurines made for cake toppers for my wedding!

Little figurines made for cake toppers for my wedding!

One of my favorite projects—making a custom bowl for my dog! She eats out of it everyday.

One of my favorite projects—making a custom bowl for my dog! She eats out of it everyday.

Some of my first ceramics creations (first picture is before glaze firing, second picture is after).

Some of my first ceramics creations (first picture is before glaze firing, second picture is after).

tokatherineliu[at]gmail[dot]com

Copyright © 2024 Katherine Liu

tokatherineliu[at]gmail[dot]com

Copyright © 2024 Katherine Liu

tokatherineliu[at]gmail[dot]com

Copyright © 2024 Katherine Liu