Process

Emily Myers throws vessels on the wheel in both red stoneware and porcelain clay. These two very different clays, result in a broad range of work, but all with the starting point of the thrown pot.

Techniques

Wedging is very important as it prepares the clay for throwing, removing air bubbles, and ensuring a uniform consistency.

Throwing is an immediate and versatile way of producing forms in clay. It has always been central to Emily ‘s studio practice as, for her, it has never lost its magic appeal.

Strong simple forms are thrown on the wheel and left to dry overnight. The state of the clay is then known as “leather-hard” and can be worked in various ways.

Some forms are painstakingly carved with a looped wire modelling tool to form parallel grooves. The accuracy of the carving is achieved purely by eye, a steady hand, and a great attention to detail.

Glazes

A variety of slips, oxides and glazes are used to achieve a range of effects in the oxidised firing. Emily makes up all her own glazes from raw materials, following collected recipes which have been adapted. Testing new glaze recipes and oxide additions is exacting and time consuming, but one is sometimes rewarded with beautiful results. Emily is noted for using Barium Glazes, which give rise to saturated colour effects.