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Show jHatch still loves porcelain painting V ; .j c ' - ! When Leola Hatch began painting porcelain objects it was a hobbv. More than 20 vears and several life changes later it has J 'become her living. Hatch is one of several Davis County residents who are members of the World "Organization of China Painters which will hold a show and convention this weekend. Painters from throughout Utah will converge on the Olympus Hotel, 161 W. 600 South in Salt Lake City Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 to present "China Painting,. A Pioneer Legacy." Artists will display and sell a large variety of hand-painted china and demonstrate their skills and techniques. Porcelain painting supples w ill also be available at the event. Hatch began her painting career as an artist for the Davis High School Yearbook when she was a student at the school. Since then she has experimented with a varietv of media including oil and watercolor painting. In 1969, Hatch and long-time friend Janeen Hancock enrolled in a porcelain painting class. They haven't quit since then. "I always have so many things going. That's what keeps me interested knowing that I have another project waiting to be finished," Hatch explained. Although the organization refers to itself as one for "China Painters," Hatch and Hancock say that term is misleading to people and decradina to the artists. "China painting is not a craft, it is an art. It requires artistic skill," Hancock explained. Hancock recalled one arts and crafts competition in which she had entered a portrait. When she discovered she had won the crafts division she was furious. "When people think of china painters they think of this room full of little old ladies, sitting around a table, painting plates. That's not at all what ve do and there"s a lot more to it than people think," Hancock explained. In fact, the artists explained that, unlike painting with oils, porcelain painting requires that colors be lajered from lightest to darkest with kiln firings after each layer. "It isn't like you just paint the vase and you're finished," Hatch said. First, painters purchase the porcelain item to be painted. "People don't realize how many things you can use this art for," Hatch said as Hancock presented a variety of obnjects from vases to delicate pitchers, dolls to jewelry boxes and tile wall hangings. The porcelain, or greenware, is cleaned and prepared for the first fine layer of pale paint. The object is fired at about 1400 degrees Fahrenheit before the second laver is painted and the item is again fired. The process continues until all of the layers have been completed. Projects can take weeks to complete, the painters explained, but the fun is in the project, not in the outcome for these two. "You're always striving to learn more. It's addictive. It's exciting. Sometimes you get so excited it's all you can do to leave the kiln door closed because you know darn well what you put in there and you can't wait to see the final product," Hancock explained. But once the projects are finished, the women move on to the next, never looking back. Sitting on the table throughout the interview was a porcelain box with lavender-colored flowers in a delicate, dreamy design. Next to it stood a porcelain doll, dressed in a Leola Hatch and Janeen Hancock started paintinq porcelain china dolls and other porcelain objects in 1969 and haven't stopped since. The World Organization of China Painters is holding a show and convention this weekend. fancy-dress outfit complete with parasol. About these the women were not excited. "Oh, I guss she's alright," Hancock said of her magnificent doll. Hatch said she tries not to grow attached to any of her work because she knows that in order to make her living she will have to sell it. In fact, Hancock's doll will be given away at this weekend's show as one of several pieces to be awarded in a drawing. Classes in china painting are still available throughout the Wasatch Front. But Hatch and Hancock expressed concern that younger women do not get involved. "It takes a couple of years to be. able to paint anything you would consider yourself happy with," Hatch explained. "The younger cirls have all the time to continue to improve. They don't have to worry about losing their sight and they have the still hands it really takes to do this kind of work ." Hancock and Hatch will display some of their works at the weekend event which will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is S2. This will be a judged event and four painted porcelain pieces will be chosen to be displayed at the World Organization Museum in Oklahoma City. Ok. |
