WHACKED

I haven't thrown teabowls in a while so I wedged up some clay, about 10lbs worth and set about throwing eight entirely different bowls. The illustration is of number seven just after it was whacked about a bit with a paddle and then slightly rethrow to fix the lip and overall symmetry. I like making pots this way and it allows unexpected things to happen when you decide each piece must be different than its previous incarnation as well as adding a bit more experience and a fuller vocabulary. I just put up a good compilation cd and try to move into auto-pilot mood without thinking too much about the mechanics and letting the clay help decide the outcome. I only wish it were possible to decide to create eight entirely different feet but I usually can only get through about three or four variations which includes a hand cut foot. I have a lot to work on this year and testing and feet are just a few of them.

"Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing."   Oscar Wilde