Raymond Lyttle

Ray makes art, it lives here: raymondlyttle.ca

[raylyttle]

WIP of a very large ceramic scene

This is one of my favourite pieces already. It feels honest in a way my work has been missing.

I've been passively suicidal since childhood, dropping the "passive" descriptor at various points. Often, that feels like wanting to find a nice, quiet patch of forest moss and just stop. Let the earth make something beautiful of this body.

So I sculpted that want. My ribs, blending into the forest floor, a baby sparrow at home in them.

Being suicidal has never given me anything beautiful. But thinking about it, processing it through art? Apparently that can.

[raylyttle]

This guy will be coming out glazed soon!

[raylyttle]

Hey, y'all like axolotls, right?

Glazed, not yet fired. Stay tuned for the transformation!

[raylyttle]

it's just spoon (wow!)

Digital drawing.

So, I've moved a lot lately. 7? times since November. The next move is Tuesday, I'm still not sure where we're going.

In all this, kitchens have been specifically difficult. I just don't know where anything is. Even just a spoon. So I made a silly poster, what else do you do?

[raylyttle]

Migration

What do you do when your home stops being yours? I guess make a collage about geese.

[raylyttle]

WIP of a very large ceramic scene

This is one of my favourite pieces already. It feels honest in a way my work has been missing.

I've been passively suicidal since childhood, dropping the "passive" descriptor at various points. Often, that feels like wanting to find a nice, quiet patch of forest moss and just stop. Let the earth make something beautiful of this body.

So I sculpted that want. My ribs, blending into the forest floor, a baby sparrow at home in them.

Being suicidal has never given me anything beautiful. But thinking about it, processing it through art? Apparently that can.

[claypigeonpottery]

not for sale

happy halloween!

a hand built pumpkin, made in 2018ish. it’s always interesting to look back at old work

[ainothefish]

Oh this is great! I hadn't thought of hand-building containers with lids before, but of course it's possible. Gonna try one myself!

[claypigeonpottery]

I’m very fond of making these 😄 I sculpt them, cut them in half and then hollow them out

[ainothefish]

Returning to this since I'm trying my hand at it today - how do you cut it so it doesn't go all out of shape?? 😫 Am I just too impatient with my clay? I have a fairly groggy soft hand-building clay and it just misbehaved with wire and I ended up using a knife so I got the cut at least vaguely straight.

I need a clay mentor apparently 🥺

[claypigeonpottery]

I usually use a knife. a wire actually sounds like a great idea I did not think of that lol. if your wire cut needs to be straight across, you can put dowels (or whatever) of the same size on either side of your piece and pull it along the top of the dowels

but you should wait until the piece has hardened up a little or you’re gonna lose some of the shape you gave it. at least a couple hours uncovered, or even in front of a fan.

[raylyttle]

Admittedly, I'm a wheel guy for the most part, but have you thought about a needle tool/wheel combo? For example:

1. Wait until leather hard

2. Pop on wheel and secure with other clay

3. Hold top with non dominant hand, gently

4. Medium wheel speed

5. Slowly pierce the walls with a needle tool while it spins

Love hearing everyone's spin on this!

[raylyttle]

Store-Bought is Fine, 2023

Wax crayon, pencil crayon

[raylyttle]

Are You Sure? 2023

Mixed media

My favourite bear, lost in a ditch on the highway.

[raylyttle]

This is Bunny, a beloved member of our family.

Oil on paper, 2023

[raylyttle]

Little speckled pot for you

[raylyttle]

Mocha Melt 2

[raylyttle]

Calling this one (of four) Mocha Melt.

He falls into the illustrious category of "how the heck did that WORK" projects

[raylyttle]

Proof of concept for a larger version.

[raylyttle]

Work in progress

[raylyttle]

Maple latte mug 3!

[this-is-a-fire-door]

Mug 2 of the maple latte set ☕️

[raylyttle]

Last year, a little restaurant moved in across the street. It completely changed the neighborhood, all for the better. I know my neighbours now. We have community. So I made them mugs, inspired by their maple lattes.

If you're in Winnipeg, go to Buvette. Get a maple latte, and say hi to your neighbours.