FOUR-PHASE

Illustrated is a recent teabowl I made with applied slip under my iron yellow surface; the decoration shows four phases of the same symbol, inspired by the phases of the moon as well as hexagrams from the I-Ching. This particular bowl fits in with the recent group of geometric bowls and devices that I used as I wanted the round symbols to echo the form of the teabowl while hopefully animating the surface as the design appears to be counting off time. I used a thin coat of black slip over the white and when fired, the black becomes a bit droozy adding a sense of motion to the piece, I like this effect. I should mention that like most of my teabowls, this piece is rather generous in size but the tactile surface and foot feel good in the hand and the weight is not an issue making for a strictly functional bowl, for your tea or a nice helping of chili and most things in between.