Peters’ Studios is a husband and wife team creating art from porcelain to support 5 dogs, 8 cats, 6 parrots, 10 very large koi and an extensive garden. Tim and Erika have been working together since 1984 creating award-winning porcelain vessels and sculptures.
Tim makes the forms and Erika carves the design. Each piece is a true team effort. The Peters are self-taught in the field of ceramics and they believe this has helped them grow beyond the mundane in their work.
The porcelain vase you purchased was formed on the potters’ wheel of porcelain. After forming on the wheel, the vessel was allowed to dry for approximately one month. When it was completely dry, the consistency of chalk, Erika carved the design into the body itself with scalpels. The design is completely original. No templates or stencils are used. After carving, the shape is polished smooth with a chamois. It is now ready for the first firing. The porcelain is fired in an electric kiln to cone ten, about 2420 degree Fahrenheit. During this firing, the porcelain changes from clay to an extremely hard, nonporous, translucent body. The vessel is now ready for glazing. The iridescent glaze is an oxidation luster, a combination of metallic salts dissolved in oil and brushed on to the surface of the vessel. The glaze is fired at a much lower temperature, about 1000 degreed Fahrenheit, burning the oil away and reducing the metals on to the surface of the shape, leaving the colors of the glaze.
This may be a little more information than you were looking for, but if you even have any questions feel free to call us at our studio.
In the news...
August 2009 -- Featured Artist -- Loring Park Art Festival-- Minneapolis, MN
June 2009 -- Best in Show! --Three Rivers Art Festival-- Pittsburg, PA
