Leslie Ihde on wed 6 nov 96
I've made some glaze requests on this list from time to time and have been
generously answered. I confess, I felt the moral necesity to try and
research the recipes myself first, and normally did. When I have a recipe
that I think will help someone else's request, I send it in.
My comment is this however- some people seem to be better at form and some
better at decoration. Some of the most famous potter teams have involved
husband wife teams where interestingly, the woman made the form and the
man created and applied the glazes. I have the feeling that it is unuseal
for someone to be truly good at both designing form and glaze.
My own strength, I think, is form. I had no initial interest in glaze
formulation. However, I have an electric kiln, and I think to suceed I
must learn both the best glazes for the electric and develop unique glazes
that complement my forms. Sometimes I have colaborated with a painter
friend to create a piece, and the results are superior to my own pieces
made alone.
I've been working on glazes for several years. I'm just not very good at
it. I've had some sucess and now have a few hard won glazes that I'm
happy with. As to sharing glaze recipes- I can only say I'm always amazed
that people are as generous as they are and that I, for one, am grateful-
especially having an educated awareness of what it is to develop a good
recipe.
In lieu of having a partner who is an expert with glazes, Clayarters
advice is the next best thing.
Leslie
Vestal, NY
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