Koi Pond

The Koi Fish

I made the fish for my pond first.  I had worked on them for several years, out at our Lake House.  I wanted them to look lively, so kept thinking of their swimming movements, as I worked.  I used my slab-roller to provide an even thickness for these large tiles, as the largest fish is 22".

The Zen Garden 

I had a real pond on our side yard for many years, which we removed when I began work on the Zen Garden.  I then had the new form for the Koi pond cemented into place, when we had our patio refinished.  I knew I would have enough room for all of my fish to ”swim” freely.

I laid a large sheet of paper in the pond and drew it exactly so I could make a template for my clay pieces.

The Template

I worked on Lily Pads and Water Lilies after the Koi, not really realizing then that my hardest work would be the bacground.  
Each piece was assigned a section and a number. There were about 337 pieces altogether.  I inscribed the numbers in the back of each tile piece, as it as made. 

The Process

After laying out all the finished pieces, I let them dry slowly for several weeks to avoid any warping. 

Shrinkage and Mistakes...

Finally, the background was complete!  Now it was time to start glazing.  Or so I thought-

I found that I had mistakenly numbered several of the pieces on the front of the tile and a few others has shrunken more than was acceptable...  I had to remake those tiles.

Firing and Refiring

I had done several glaze tests, and thought I had two colors that would be compatible as light and shadow, but not too close.   As with any glazes, though, 

there are so many variables. 

These came out closer than I had wanted them, and it took five FINAL glaze firings, before they were finally done to my satisfaction.