Animal Sampler by Vicky Lindo & Bill Brookes

The “animal sampler” design is something that Vicky Lindo revisited often. Originally inspired by an antique appliqué quilt, the design continues to evolve but typically returns to a sense of symmetry, reflecting the essence of the original quilt. However, Vicky’s symmetry is imperfect, as she paints all her designs by eye. She enjoys the challenge of flipping her brain and hand from left to right while working, embracing the unpredictability in the process. Vicky appreciates not being in complete control, finding joy in the small surprises that emerge in the final design, as if something—or someone—else has had a hand in its creation.

The large tile was constructed from a cellulose fibre (paper) earthenware slab, slipcast on a flat plaster batt. It had 7 brush coats of dark brown slip applied and a top brush coat of thin white earthenware slip before the underglaze and sgraffito decoration. The thin white coat of slip between the dark brown carving layer and the underglaze helps to maintain the bright colours of the underglaze and maximise its opacity.

Once the sgraffito decoration was completed, the tile was then allowed to completely dry out, bisque fired to 1015 degrees Celsius, dipped in clear glaze, and finally glaze fired to 1100 degrees Celsius.

Earthenware with sgraffito decoration.

48W x 38H cm

2024