Illustrated
is a wonderful, small beaked pouring vessel made by Jeff Oestreich that was wax resist
decorated with the application of a glaze and then soda fired to create this
rich and varied surface. The attention to detail in this piece is exacting from
the way the handle is attached, knob created for ease of use and how well the
lid fits and sets into the elongated beak are all characteristics of the
approach he brings to making pots. Though well thought out and practiced
through repetition, Oestreich's pots each possess unique qualities that
distinguish one pot from another partly due to the finesse of problem solving
on the construction of each pot but also because it is just how he works. Being
around Jeff while he made altered teabowls, teapots, pouring vessels, pitchers
and large vases gives a glimpse in to how his mind works while he constructs
his pots from thrown parts that are squared, cut, folded and darted to create
forms that are unique to him. Though this particular pouring vessel is somewhat
simple in its construction, getting all of the pieces parts to work well
together and present such a unified front is no small feat and one achieved
through nearly four decades of working in clay and problem solving day in and
day out.
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