I was searching for a photo yesterday in response to
a conversation I was having with a distant collector and near the photos in
question was this lone jpeg of a rich, red Shino covered jar. This covered jar
was made by Bill Klock back in the 90s and was one of a group of pots I picked
up while working with him at Plattsburgh State and his studio, several of which
were given off to several very gracious patrons that I had back at that time.
With some luck, this pot stayed with Mindy and I and made its way from
Cleveland, through numerous moves and is still with us here in the Mohawk
Valley. Bill loved Shino along with temmoku and ash in which a great number of
his pots were glazed and this jar shows the influences of his stay in Korea
with impressed and inlaid devices around the pot. It is a straight forward,
almost simple pot that was made with function in mind without ever overlooking
pleasing the eye as well. The Shino was used somewhat thin showing off the
decoration and throwing marks which in turn makes for a rather fiery red
surface. In truth despite all the years I spent around Bill, I have far fewer
pots by him than one would expect and certainly far fewer than I would like and this
may be just a simple Shino covered pot
but to me it is equal parts of inspiration, standard and a perpetual reminder
of a mentor and friend.
.JPG)