Wednesday, December 27, 2023

BLUE SUIT

Not having used this soda blue glaze for some while I have been going through the paces from test pod to larger pot to make sure it still responds as it has in the past as I would like to think I have learned my lesson about being impetuous. I ended up going with this small covered jar for several reasons, first off it is larger than a teabowl, it isn't a teabowl (!) and by glazing the lid and the pot I can make sure it doesn't run enough to create problems with pieces being forever (or until I smash them with a hammer) melted together. 

This small covered jar was made to test out a variety of effects on one pot, once tooled, the piece had a black and white slip swirl brushed on the body and the lid excepting the finial. Once dried I painted on the line and brush stroke decoration to add a bit more movement and interest to the piece and then the gallery and lid were waxed off and the pieces glazed. After being fired the covered jar provided most of the input I was looking for including how the glaze looks on unadulterated stoneware as seen on the B.C. influenced finial. Now more or less fully proofed and with a firm belief the glaze responds exactly how it has in the past, maybe it is time to make some covered jars and wall bowls to be decked out in a new soda blue suit.