In our studio practice, surface design is at the center of our work. For years, Bob and I have explored ways to bring the vibrancy and luminosity of layered oil painting into ceramics. Kiwi underglazes have made that possible.

Their fluid consistency and exceptional layering qualities set them apart. The wide range of colors allows me to build tonal depth, create highlights, and refine shadow details with precision—qualities I relied on in my previous career as an illustrator. On the ceramic forms Bob throws or handbuilds, this control is essential, and Kiwi consistently delivers.

Equally important is the versatility. I apply them at multiple stages Lois and Bob Schlowsky Pottery —on leather-hard clay, after bisque, and even through additional firings. The colors remain stable and true, offering transparency for layered effects or opacity where needed. Even at cone 6, the results are reliable and luminous.

Kiwi underglazes have become integral to our process. They offer both consistency and creative flexibility, enabling us to achieve a painterly quality in ceramics that aligns perfectly with our artistic vision. Thank you Kiwi!!!!! So happy we found you!!!!

Clay has become my language of expression, and I’m always drawn to how it records touch. Every press, scratch, and impression remains in the surface, and I work with texture as a way to tell stories. My pieces are layered and carved so that the surface itself feels alive and engaging.

Underglazes are essential to how I bring this texture forward. They don’t mask the clay, but instead emphasize depth, catching on carved lines or brushing across raised edges. I love kiwi underglaze in particular for its stability— colour variations and affordability. What excites me is how these colours hold their integrity in the kiln; they don’t burn out but stay rich and vibrant. An opaque finish with just one or two layers to a delicate watercolour effect when diluted, depending on how I apply it. That flexibility lets me highlight details with precision, or brush a piece with diluted colours for a subtle water colour effect. Wiping back applied colours so as to highlight textures. Application with sponges, brushes and air brushes also work beautifully.

For me, kiwi underglaze brings out the surfaces I’ve built in clay. To be honest I really love how clay looks before any colour is applied. Often I find that adding colour can ruin a piece as the information on the surface changes too much with the colour change but I find kiwi seldom disappoints and then its just up to the kiln gods to play nice! 

I started my pottery journey with a simple desire to make art for my bathroom walls. I work full time so needed something small that I could make on days where I had time after work. This is when I found endless inspiration in the vast and colourful world of beetles! I’m now well known in my small local community studio for my vibrant bug creations and have been making them for the past two years. From early on I’ve been using Kiwi Underglaze because the incredible range of colours perfectly suit my bright and bold beetles. I love the consistency and clarity of the Kiwi Underglazes. They are so easy to work with! This year I’ve been enjoying experimenting with different patterns and colour combinations and found so many different ways of applying underglaze - my favourite has been making easy dots with a cotton tip!  My top three colours have to be lime green, monarch orange, and admiral blue.  -Jess / @jz.ceramic Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington based potter