Illustrated is a paddled stoneware cap jar glazed over in
a simple Albany slip* glaze composed of just three materials. Once the pot was
thrown, using a 1" x 4" scrap piece of wood that is heavily carved,
the smack down begins being just careful enough to not destroy the pot. The pot
is also carefully rethrown using a rib on the interior to create a pot that is
mostly round again resembling it original thrown form. The Albany glaze is more
of less transparent though where it pools areas of iridescence and deep, dark
areas appear accentuating every nook and cranny. I have always loved this glaze
which I believe I got from Val Cushing back in the early 90s, it bears a strong
resemblance if not some of the spirit of the old Korean faceted honey jars and
to aspects of Bernard Leach's pieces. Though I would like to think this is
distinctly my pot, it goes without saying that there is a bit of the people I
have studied with in the past as well as numerous historical antecedents in
each and every pot that I make.
(*I should mention that this glaze is
made using actual Albany slip not a substitute. I have tried replicating Albany
slip using a variety of published, known and personal experimentations formulas
but to my eye, none hold the quality, character and depth of the real thing. Use
it wisely and sparingly and you will find there is still Albany slip out there
if you search carefully from ex-potters, estates, etc and if you can try the
real thing, I think you will see exactly what I am saying. Good luck!)
.JPG)