Pete Cromer Inspired Pinch Pots

Materials

• Chenille Stem 6mmx30cm 100’s Fluoro
• Oz Clay 5kg
• Poster Colours by Zart 6’s Cool
• Poster Colours by Zart 6’s Earth

This activity is inspired by contemporary Australian artist Pete Cromer and his depiction of colourful and collaged characterisations of Australian wildlife.

Step 1. Divide a block of Oz Clay into 30 pieces.

Step 2. Roll a piece of clay into a ball. Model a pinch pot from the piece of clay by pressing your thumb into the ball and pinching the walls to create a bowl.

TIP. Avoid pinching the walls too thin to ensure the pot has strength to decorate and hang.

Step 3. Alter the shape of the pot to turn it into a character. The design may involve using modelling tools, straws or a skewer to make holes for eyes, carving out a shape for a mouth or joining additional clay.

TIP. When joining clay score both pieces, push them together and then smooth the join.

Step 4. Use a skewer to pierce two holes through the pot, 1cm down from the rim on opposite sides, for a hanger.

Step 5. Allow the character to dry. (Drying time depends on room temperature and the thickness of the clay.)

Step 6. Once dry, the character can be painted with Poster Colours. Leave some of the areas plain if desired to show the natural clay. Set aside to dry.

Step 7. For best results thread a Chenille Stem through the holes to hang.

OPTIONS. Poster Colours Paint can be substituted with Pearlescent Watercolours or any other water-based paints, pans colours or disks. Alternatively, Posca Markers can be used to add colour and the design.