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)
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