Plaque

Laura Fry created this image of cranes soaring in a cloud-filled sky-motif inspired by Japanese prints using an impasto of mineral pigments mixed with slip, or thinned clay. When covered with a clear, glossy glaze this painterly technique can achieve the look of oil painting. The process was developed by M. Louise McLaughlin, a china painter from Cincinnati, Ohio. Fry and McLaughlin were early members of the Cincinnati Pottery Club where they perfected the technique. Both artists later worked as decorators at the Rookwood Pottery.