The 31 -32 inch plate series started in 1993 while teaching ceramics at San Antonio College, in Texas. This large format was developed to make a wide area for surface designs. Technically, the large size is more difficult to make and fire than the smaller sizes.
Kenney’s main thought is to make ceramic art that very few can copy and to be as original as possible. These large plates utilize similar characteristics of the small plate designs but the larger format makes a greater visual impact like a large painting.
All of Douglas Kenney’s ceramic art is made by hand from start to finish by the artist. The art on this site is for sale unless otherwise noted and is most of the current inventory. There are a few others available that are not on this website.
This ongoing series of work is created on a wheel with slabs of clay decorated with clay slips and powder in the wet state. Each slab is then placed on plaster mold and a wheel thrown foot is joined to the back of the slab.
On some, the lip is cut to make a geometric shape and others they are left round. After careful drying each piece is bisque fired in an electric kiln. Next, the bisque ware is washed thoroughly with water, allowed to dry, and then colored clay slips are brushed, splashed or sprayed to make the final surface decoration.
Clear glaze is applied and fired to Orton cone 5 (approximately 2200 F). All of these plates are cabled with marine grade stainless cable and fittings for wall display. The cable can be slid around the foot 360 degrees for a different hanging orientation if desired.
