Inspiration from the Red River Clay

Red River Clay vase, ca. 1960s, Oklahoma

The vase on the far right was Grandma’s. All I know about it is that it was a gift from one of her sons and the clay came from the Red River between the Oklahoma and Texas border. It is unmarked, although it does appear to have a hand painted or finger drawn “M inside an M”, which could also be just a paint slash. I always liked it, but then as a child, I scooped the gray clay from the edge of the stock tank across the road from our house and molded little tiny pots and vases. I really wanted a pottery wheel so I tried making one by using the spinner wheel that held the records on the record player. Of course, the spindle in the center to hold the record really interfered with making pottery. This vase was among the things no one wanted when Grandma passed and when I saw it in a box marked for disposal, I took it. I use it on a regular basis to hold flowers, and when it is not in rotation, it sits on top of the glass front wine glass cabinet over the counter bar, along with other prized possessions. It inspired me to try to recreate a similar vase from a cut wine bottle–the one in the last post seeing temporary use as a candle holder.

I painted it brown, but looking back, I think it would have been better to have used a mix of the brown and light beige, applied with fingers in a mimic of the clay vase. I will try that on the next one and see how it works. The acrylic paints I am using don’t come in a dark blue, so I tried mixing purple to get a deeper shade. Only later did it occur to me that I should have mixed in a small amount of black to get the darker blue I wanted. That will also be my plan when I attempt the next one.

with a coat of matte glaze

I also decided to add a coat of matte glaze to give it a brighter color with a low sheen. It also made the colors appear a little darker and richer. While I wanted the rustic look of Grandma’s vase, I think that will require a different process for me, and as soon as I finish the large vase (almost done!) then I will start on a new version of the Red River clay with drip glaze, albeit performed on a cut down wine bottle, using clay sections for additional texture and design.

The glaze drips on the inside as well, and the designs from the paper napkin show through the glass on the interior as well. Since I am still in the experimenting stage, I try different things and if they work, that is good and if they don’t, then I just reassess. Meanwhile, I collected a few additional ideas for vases with the clay art today, and plan to try them out soon also.

And just so ya’ll don’t think I am lollygagging around making messes all the time, I also cleaned the shower and the toilet and the kitchen this morning, as well as keeping up the Spanish practice. I learned a new word today! Take a listen and see if you can translate to English.

Yes, it has been a really fun day in spite of the pouring rain, and cold temperatures…well, except for the part about cleaning the shower and toilet.