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.
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