SAME DESIGN, DIFFERENT APPROACH

At first glance I am sure most will think this is a simple design created by wax resist which in an odd way is partially the truth, the design is actually inlaid into the temmoku using an Oribe style glaze. The bowl was first glazed over in my temmoku and then the entire surface was covered over in a very thin coat of wax. Once the wax was dry, the design was carved out and then the Oribe glaze was brushed over filling in the excised channels of the design and the rest was resisted by the wax. This of course is a rather old technique but the line it creates is very different than simply using wax resist and easier to control and create rather intricate patterns, textures and designs. If memory serves me, I first used this approach way back at Plattsburgh State (1989) and I have been using it ever since, it is always a bonus to have the ability to create a singular design in a wide array of technique, it just makes life that much easier.

EASILY DISTRACTED

At the beginning of each new cycle, I have a hand written list of everything I need to do for the eventual firing ( a tip borrowed from the Iron Chef). It serves as a road map, though the exact pieces I throw vary depending on mood and ideas. What inevitably happens to each plan is that life gets in the way. At the end of this first week, in theory, I prefer to have 70% or more of the pots thrown and tooled. This week like every other has its distraction.

First I needed to pack/ship and order, than a routine trip to the eye doctor, several errands, some house stuff that needed doing and lots of emails to catch up with and hours are gone from the precious schedule. I made up my slips first thing as well as some haiyu glaze. I then managed to throw a group of 16” wall bowls, porcelain and stoneware teabowls, soup bowls and bottles as filler, as tests and stuff I like to throw. I also throw a group of porcelain bowls which I black slipped and carved. There is the real time killer, carving. I spent better part of a day carving the bowls.

As Calvin would say; “the days are just packed!”.