Sarah Snowden
Painting: Overglaze paints kiln fired on porcelain
Sarah Snowden Studio
4993 Center Road
Sarah Snowden painted her first piece of porcelain in 1998 when she accompanied her mother to a class in Florida. It was a very different medium, one which she found fascinating. That was the beginning, as it became more and more difficult to put the brush down. Sarah has studied with numerous porcelain artists including Andrew Orr, Alzora Zaremba, Paula White, and Mary Ashcroft. She is an art instructor at the Columbia Art Center, Columbia, MD, and also teaches at her home studio. She is a member of IPAT (International Porcelain Artists and Teachers) and CPAM (China Painters of Maryland).
Artist Statement
I find inspiration in the beauty of nature and people. I want to express an emotion or feeling using design, color, and light with the brush strokes and the shape of the porcelain. I enjoy doing paintings that will bring happiness to the viewer, whether a portrait (person or pet) or someone's favorite landscape.
China painting uses water color techniques in that the color of the china is becomes the whites and highlights of the painting. China paints come in a fine ground powder and a multitude of colors. The powder is prepared with an oil based mixing-medium before use. The paint is then thinned with a painting-medium for smooth application. The first application of paint sets up the pattern or design, including the highlights and whites. After painting the piece is fired in a kiln to a temperature ranging from 1330 degrees F -1530 degrees F. The heat fires off the medium and softens the glaze coat allowing the color to bind with the top of the glaze coat, making it permanent. Usually multiple applications of paint are required to add values, shapes, and details to obtain the desired effect. Luster, metallic medium (gold, platinum), and enamels can be added for to finish the design.