LAST BUT NOT LEAST

I think that I can finally say, I made my last piece of terra cotta for the time being to satisfy some upcoming shows and for gallery restocks. It seems like I have been locked in a mock battle with the red menace for a long while and I can't say, I am sorry to be done with the making end. I still need to get pots dry, decorated, bisque, glazed and fired and barring any unforeseen hiccups, fait accompli. I know it sounds like everything I say about terra cotta is disparaging and negative, the truth is, as a clay and the various techniques I use with it, when it is well behaved, I enjoy its properties and the degree of control necessary to keep it from gaining the upper hand. The other day, after throwing a group of pots, I was rather sad to stop as the throwing had gone so well and it is easy to get lost in the moment when throwing. It was enjoyable, but now with a studio filled to the brim with pots in varying stages, the last, but not least of the pots has been completed.

Illustrated is a long, 20", terra cotta tray, black slipped with a carved pattern overall and accents, maybe punctuations of white slip. Once bisque, the tray will be glazed in a clear, from my table to yours.

"Like the bee, we should make our industry our amusement."   Oliver Goldsmith (1730-1774)