RIPPLE EFFECT

Illustrated is a tall yet very thin stoneware teapot that I made and despite its lack of width, it is still very functional. Decorated using my ishime-ji, stone texture technique, I created a space that created a framework around an inlaid decoration that I hope helps define the form and purpose of the pot. The ripple effect design was cut in to the surface using a piece of sharpened bamboo and later was inlaid in a white slip which vitrifies to create the contrast to the background. Despite my constant grumbling in reference to hand building, I like making these tall and narrow façade forms, they present a number of construction problems as well as a great surface to explore. I have made these forms in nearly every clay I have worked with except Egyptian paste and the Ocmulgee River fire clay I used to wood fire with Kirk Mangus though I have yet to wood fire one of these forms. I suspect that if I ever get a chance to put one of these pieces in a wood kiln, I will have to rethink how they are built as currently they are being fired in gas or electric and I tend to make them as light as possible so I would have to go with a thicker slab than I am used to. What ever the case, despite my real love in throwing it is abundantly clear, sometimes the only way to get where you want to go is to embrace the process that best suits the mind's eye.