TILE COMMISSIONS - Karen Elkins
Tiles that create using my own designs
Tiles that create using my own designs
Home About us Historic Building Crafts Medieval Tile making Historic Arts Living History for Schools
Historic Building Demonstrations,
Medieval Tile making,
Living History and Arts and Crafts
for schools, events and museums
Medieval Tile making,
Living History and Arts and Crafts
for schools, events and museums
Company of Artisans
It all started with a shamanic floor...a commission for a shamanic, organic restaurant in Nottingham in 2000.
I drew each tile design onto the clay and carved it out, then filled it with slip, shaved it back and dried it, then fired it, glazed it and fired it again. Each tile could take a day to carve.
My inspiration came from drawing animals and a love of collecting shells and feathers, as well as making dream catchers which incorporate these objects.
It was a very powerful design when the floor was finished and in place, the largest thing that I had ever made. This was my first commission - something of which I am very proud.
Making this floor was a big leap of faith and the point at which I committed to making my living as an artist. I made the leap and am still flying...
I drew each tile design onto the clay and carved it out, then filled it with slip, shaved it back and dried it, then fired it, glazed it and fired it again. Each tile could take a day to carve.
My inspiration came from drawing animals and a love of collecting shells and feathers, as well as making dream catchers which incorporate these objects.
It was a very powerful design when the floor was finished and in place, the largest thing that I had ever made. This was my first commission -
Making this floor was a big leap of faith and the point at which I committed to making my living as an artist. I made the leap and am still flying...
Shamanic Floor for ‘Shamanic Organic’ Restaurant in 2000
I was asked to include a lone Wolf design tile to act as a symbolic guardian of a doorway.
Using a photograph I was given as a source, I created a sketch that I carved into the surface of the tile.
I filled the picture with white clay slip, and fired the finished tile twice, glazing with a honey glaze.
Using a photograph I was given as a source, I created a sketch that I carved into the surface of the tile.
I filled the picture with white clay slip, and fired the finished tile twice, glazing with a honey glaze.
Commissions for house plaques I have made, where I carve a pattern directly into the clay, inlay with slip then scrape back to show the detailed image.
If you would like to discuss a commission, please contact me. I can also work in other colours of slip in a white background clay, or use other colours of glaze.
If you would like to discuss a commission, please contact me. I can also work in other colours of slip in a white background clay, or use other colours of glaze.
Carving directly into the clay before I paint the design with white clay slip, wait 5 days, then carve it flat before firing.
Tile made for a National Trust property to celebrate the re-opening, I carved grapes and barley for period ales.
