Ergonomics:my decorating easel
Recently an image of my decorating workspace appeared in the Journal of Australian Ceramics, 48#2, July 2009. This part of the image caused quite a bit of interest at the recent Australian Ceramics Triennale where I demonstrated some of my working methods. Of interest was my decorating easel.
My scaled down decorating easel.
During my Churchill Fellowship research on Health and Safety and Overglaze decorating I became aware that ergonomic considerations had to be dealt with. I was interested in the various devices that were used in industry but unfortunately not practical for the studio artist. Not long after, I developed Tennis Elbow in my left arm from supporting my work while decorating. I remembered having seen a decorating easel manufactured by Scotts Creek Pottery advertised in Ceramics Monthly. I soon realized that these were no longer being made.
Further investigation led me to two conclusions. The original designs for this decorating easel came from Spanish/Portuguese traditional ceramic practices and that there were detailed photographs/plans available on the internet. Nan Hamilton generously uploaded the details here. A friend made me a scaled version from this image.
Nan Hamilton's decorating easel.
This post is now filed under Health and Safety and Techniques