February 2007 Firing
My latest work is soda fired in a small wood kiln.
I have continued to explore the theme of a tall jug with attached spout and big loop handle. Rather than make them all to the same design I allow the separate elements to vary in proportion. I then mix and match the components as I assemble them. In this way the unique character of each pot develops as I assemble it. Heights vary between 20 and 28cm.
I can fit one large bowl in each firing and this is it. Here you see the inside and outside in two separate shots. Height 16cm, diameter 30cm.
Continuing the theme of ridges on pots, I have made four medium sized jugs. One has received more ash and is speckled, the others show more flashing. Heights between 14 and 15cm.
Rounded forms seem to lend themselves very well to the wood/soda process I am using and the slips I am applying. This firing includes a number of smaller pots that take advantage of this. There are three lidded pots and three bottle shaped pots. The bottles could be used either as vases or with a spout as oil/vinegar pourers. Heights of the pots are approximately 12cm. One example of each is shown.
Here is a vase that combines a rounded form in the base with a taller section which makes it a more useful vessel. Height 17cm.
I have continued to make slab-built pots, in addition to throwing on the wheel. In this process, clay is rolled out like pastry into sheets and then cut and assembled. This work seems to be going in two or three different directions. There are a number of vases with 4, 5 or 6 sides. Heights 10 to 12cm.
There are also some taller four sided vases glazed with tenmoku outside and celadon inside. Both carry some beautiful speckling from the wood ash. Heights are 19cm and 28cm.
And finally, I have also used the slab technique to make figurative work. Here a basic cylinder is modified to reveal a female form by stretching or darting the sheet of clay. Height 18cm.
And a smaller example, height 10cm.
