Back from the Heat

Back from the Heat

I feel it is a good match.  Pottery and bonsai.  Both have been a surprise discovery for me over the last 5 years.  They have taught me to use my hands in other ways beyond the daily mundane rituals.  I have a new appreciation of my hands.  It feels empowering to create, making something that can be used or just looked at.  I hope you enjoy these latest pots that have come back from the heat.

All these pots have been wood fired in Taiwan. 

Part of the fun of pottery is that you can try different techniques to get unique results.

I sliced this  tea bowl when wet with a twisted wire to create the ridged effect.  I then dipped the porcelain in a red clay, and finally white glazed the piece before placing it in a wood fired kiln for four days. 

A close up of a nice drip of glaze.

A zoomed out shot.  Some sections are more shiny, while others a little more matte.

Waiting to be filled up with whatever.

A pot with texture is asking for someone to pick it up.  I think that is a sign of a good piece - it screams of wanting to be touched and held.

A new style for me.  While wet, I cut into the clay with the sharp edge of a metal ruler.  I then stretched out the clay with my fingers.

My hope was that the wood ash would find its way in the ridges as it became a melted glaze.  It kind of worked in parts. 

I may try this technique once again, but next time I think I will try and avoid any straight lines. 

Although the contrast of straight and some deep cut grooves may be the way to go?

I'm also experimenting ways of where and how I put my seal on a pot.  The seal can be part of the overall design and proof that it was actually handmade.  I have my Chinese name on a seal - I thought about it for a while.  I tried signing my name in English and it always looked so boring - until I find a way to be creative with my English seal, I will continue using my Chinese chop. 

I glazed the inside and lip of this pot.

Tea bowl.

I mixed two different clays for this bowl.  I then glazed half. 

I made this guy quite light with a  shallow foot ring.

I have been rolling a small ball of clay and pressing my seal into it as a final touch.

I used a simple white glaze, but when wood fired, it has a nice green smoky appearance.

This guy was probably my favorite.  Simple, comfortable shape, with an interesting colour spread.

I made the lip undulating which creates a feeling of movement but also modesty. 

A section of the glaze that I applied melted the foot ring onto the wad.  I had to grind it off so as the cup would stand without wobbling.  The whiteness showing up on the foot is the result from grinding.  I would like to tone down the whiteness but I am yet to find out how.

I applied the glaze too thick.  You can see it here dripping down and settling on the foot, adhering it to the wad.  My mistake.

A small tea cup.  I added Japanese white clay slip after trimming.

I impressed a finger dent in the side to add a touch of ....uniqueness?

A splash of white glaze on the other side.

I think I will continue dipping some pots into my Japanese white clay slip.  I like the effect.

A tea jar.

Again I applied the glaze too thick.  It pooled down the bottom and stuck on the wad. 

I removed it with a grinder but it would be best if it didn't happen.  I think the jar would have been nicer - however, it does tell a story!

This guy is the size of my thumb.

I always make a few very small tea cups and throw them in a firing. 

They are all different.

I have about 30 or so up until now.

This last fellow isn't as small as my thumb, but not too much bigger.  He was fired with an electric kiln.  I have been playing around with some painting as well.

The other side.

Everyone loves a nice foot ring.  It is one of the first things someone will do when picking up a pot.  Make sure you get the ring right!

Thanks for reading!  I hope your trees and pots out there are giving you some joy.

Please visit my online shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllinOneCeramicsTW?ref=seller-platform-mcnavfor these and other pieces.