So, this is where the “magic” happens or at least begins and
I think it is pretty clear from this photo what meticulous planning, measuring
and precision goes into my hand-built pieces. This photo is of slabs for an
order, a simple 16” or so tall vase, carved and to be glazed in my saffron
glaze provided it survives my brutal and speedy process for construction devoid
of any patience and less tolerance for perfect lines and exact dimensions.
Rolled out of stoneware clay, the pieces are clearly marked for what is the
interior of each side, so I bevel the right edges, the top and bottom and the
solitary slab used to construct the neck/ mouth making this project entirely
built out of slabs. Normally many of my hand-built pieces are a marriage of slabs
with some hand-thrown addition for the neck and mouth but in this case the body
and neck are to echo each other in form so throwing was out. These slabs are all
quite wet and once a bit drier, the forms will be addressed closer to how they
should look and the edges, the sides will have a bevel created and then scored for
better assembly. I think I have repeatedly made it clear I am not much of a
hand-builder, always reluctant to move in that directions but there are always
those times when what I see in my head and want in three dimensions defies
throwing, no matter how much you rely on the concept of T&A (thrown and
altered) and that is exactly what is staring me in the face this time around.
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