Illustrated
is a rather straight forward "falling leaves" vase that is a standard
form that I make. This form is not really very complicated and it works well
with various decoration on the surface and in this case the random use of the
leaves includes inside the trumpet mouth and also on the foot. Perhaps the most
complicated thing about this pot is that it is a two-parter, the base and neck
are thrown separately in series, perhaps six bases and six necks and then they
are matched up and looted together at which time the lugs are attached and
each piece goes on for specific surface treatments from carved tebori, abstrakt
resist, b&w slip or this treatment of random falling leaves. Perhaps the
trickiest aspect of this design is that the slips are put on while the clay is
wet and then the sgraffito is done once the clay is close to bone dry; using a
large black foam sheet about 12" x 12" x 5" the vase is
carefully carved to define the leaves. As I said this form and technique aren't
really all that complicated, it just takes the right touch and timing to keep
the piece from becoming more a two-parter again.
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