ALL RISE

After writing my Monday post, I went and visited a group of Bill Klock teabowls that I have on a shelf, reminding myself about just how powerful and present simplicity can be. This illustrated Shino bowl is a classic piece by Bill, simple in its approach, form and glazing but the manner in which it was thrown, the use of subtle marks around the piece with a rough, folded over lip adding strength and focus to the pot all terminating in a powerful lift on a quickly cut pedestal foot quite frankly what clay was originally intended for. I should also mention that he really enjoyed using Shino thin where the fiery iron reds would come up bolstered by the spodumene in the glaze and allowing marks, impressed and inlaid stamps and other elements of the clay to show through the surface.

As for the initial ascent which begins as the clay meets table it is clearly about visual elevation, the bowl has the lift that I really love in a pot and for clay which blends function and aesthetics, this teabowl just says, "all rise" to my eye.

" I thought clay must feel happy in the good potter's hand." Janet Fitch (from WHITE OLEANDER)