Frozen Pond Platter By Leigh-Ann Naus

River Birch and Textured Amber Brown By Leigh-Ann Naus

The stoneware plate by Leigh-Ann Naus, created using the globally popular Frozen Pond technique developed by Kathy McGuire, is a beautifully crafted white stoneware platter that embodies a natural, organic aesthetic. Its surface decoration draws inspiration from the appearance of a frozen pond – intricate, radial patterns that evoke the delicate, crystalline structure of ice or the soft, airy texture of summer dandelions.

The piece is crafted from Plainsman M370, a smooth white stoneware clay body. The base features three coats of AMACO River Birch, forming a gentle, textured foundation. Over this, two coats of Spectrum Running Hot Chowder (RHC) are applied in dotted patterns to add depth and visual variation. The surface is then completed with two coats of AMACO Textured Amber Brown, which melt and blend with the underlying layers to produce a flowing, crystalline effect reminiscent of frozen ripples or delicate, dandelion-like forms. The piece is fired to Cone 6, a mid-range stoneware temperature.

The finished platter displays a stunning, organic pattern – glossy, layered, and full of movement -capturing the serene, natural beauty of a frozen pond in ceramic form.

• Clay body: Plainsman M370
• AMACO River Birch x3
• Spectrum RHC dots x2
• AMACO Textured Amber Brown x2
• Cone 6

Credits: Leigh-Ann Naus