The Making Of: From Clay to Creation
Step into my HSR Layout studio to see how simple earth transforms into functional art. Here is the slow, deliberate journey behind every piece I create.
This video shows the process of creating my Bird of Paradise planter. I start by throwing the form on the wheel, then hand-paint the design and carve the details before it's fired.
Watch the sgraffito process on one of my pastel-colored planters. After painting layers of colored slip, I carefully carve away parts of the design to create a chevron pattern.
Sgraffito is one of my favorite techniques. Here, I'm carving a geometric pattern into a tumbler. It's a slow, satisfying process that is both creative and therapeutic.
Here I am painting a floral design onto a hand-built platter. I often use my fingers to blend the colors, which gives the piece a soft, painterly quality.
A close-up of the finger-painting technique on an unfired platter. Working directly on the clay like this feels very intuitive and connected to the material.
Painting a lotus design onto a raw clay platter. This is the stage where the piece truly starts to develop its unique personality and story.
A view of my studio table filled with freshly made, unfired pottery. You can see a variety of bowls and a 'Chai' cup waiting for the next stage of the process.
More pieces drying in the studio. This is a quiet moment of anticipation as the clay slowly hardens before it can be fired in the kiln.
About The Making Of: From Clay to Creation
Creating a piece is not just about shaping it on the wheel. Many of my designs use a technique called sgraffito, where I paint layers of colored slip onto the clay and then hand-carve away parts of it to reveal the pattern underneath. It is a slow, meditative process that requires patience, and it is how I get those crisp, unique textures you see on my finished mugs and planters.
My process starts with a lump of stoneware clay and a lot of intention. Whether I am wheel-throwing a vase or hand-building a platter, I embrace the wabi-sabi philosophy, finding beauty in the slight variations and imperfections that arise during crafting. After the initial shaping, the clay needs to dry to a leather-hard state. This is when I do the detailed work like hand-carving or slip-trailing, techniques that add depth and character to each item.
Once the carving is done, the pieces go through a two-stage firing process in my kiln. This ensures they are durable, microwave-safe, and chip-resistant. I believe the marks left by my tools and fingers during this journey are what give my ceramics a soul, setting them apart from mass-produced factory items. If you have been looking for functional art that feels warm and personal, you are in the right place. I am always happy to discuss custom orders if you have a specific idea for your home or need a unique gift. Feel free to reach out to chat about what I can create for you in my Bengaluru studio.
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