OBG

As part of this extended cycle working in terra cotta I set about a number of goals that included the usual plates, bowls, covered pieces and molded plate (tray) forms and added slab bottles and oval pots to the mix. Illustrated is the first oval baker group that I made spread out over my work table and ready to be shelved to dry. Throwing large cylinders that are then made oval, the bottoms and lugs are attached once the pots firm up sufficiently and then the slip work applied to help complete the pieces. These particular bakers are a bit bigger than normal measuring in at just about 17" across when wet, they will shrink close to 15% before all is said and done but will still be on the generous side. After throwing for so many years it is always a welcome break to plan in projects that don't entirely rely on the wheel or in the case of the slab bottles have virtually nothing to do with throwing at all. It may be true that variety is the spice of life and that one should "treat a thousand dispositions in a thousand ways"*.

(* "Mille animos excipe mille modis." Publius Ovidus Naso)