Thursday, February 23, 2012

Waterlogged


It seems Thursday has officially come and gone before I could get my post up, but we'll press onward never the less. Tuesday and Wednesday this week were consumed by copious levels of humidity and constant rain. This made drying work quite interesting. I am convinced the ceramics studio holds moisture more than any other room in the school. 

 

Despite the moisture, this week saw the coming of many new and wonderful things in the studio. Monday and Tuesday were fantastic days of throwing. I am finally comfortable enough with my bowls and cups that I am willing to be more adventurous with my forms. Specifically, I want to work on vases, containers with lids, and tea pots. However, this jump to more difficult forms comes with a much higher level of challenges. Thankfully, Monday was one of those rare days in the studio where I seemed to have what one could only describe as magic hands. My imagination and my hands were almost in sync (this is so rare I can't even begin to articulate how pleased I was!). The forms were flying off the wheel. 



Vase forms were especially problematic and frustrating for me during my formal education (as minimal as it was). So one can only guess how large my grin was when the above pictured beauty was lifted from the wheel. 

















 I hope that this will become my potter's mark. I find signing my work to always appear clunky and a bit like a drunk 5-year-old got hold of my leather hard green ware. I've never made a stamp before, but the fingers are crossed in hopes that it works out well.


Tomorrow I'll load the kiln with 23 new pieces, and come Monday I'll hopefully have lots of new work to test my four new glazes on. Assuming my bisque firing goes well, and no work is lost, this will be the most satisfying collection of pots in my year and a half in Japan. Thanks for being a part of the journey. Stay tuned for Monday's slides of older work.

May your weekend be filled with sun, smiles, and satisfaction. 

2 comments:

  1. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you need to carve your stamp in reverse! Glad to know you're watching!

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    1. Ahhh yes, thought of that after it was already dry. Thought it couldn't hurt to give it a shot any way.

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