Snail Scott on wed 22 aug 07
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:34:59 -0400
From: John Sankey
>I'm trying to imitate a Pueblo technique of adding pieces to
>pots, sort of like thick applique. They used earthenware; I'm
>using stoneware. I've found that I have to let the added pieces
>dry a fair bit or they distort when pressed into the pot. The pot
>has to be dry enough to trim, but then has to be moistened enough
>to take the exact impression of the added piece...
>...I'm having problems with adhesion!
John-
Earthenware vs. stoneware is not the major difference, here.
'...Has to be dry enough to trim...' points to the source
of your dilemma: you are throwing these things on the wheel!
The reason it works fine for Pueblo folks is that they are
handbuilding, using a coil-and-pinch technique. No need to
wait for drying and another stage of the process; they add
the attachments when they shape the form.
Any time you try to reproduce the visual effect of something
while using very different techniques, there's likely to be
a hitch somewhere.
So: are you interested in pueblo technique, or just wanting
a similar-looking effect? If you intend reproducing the
method, why not coil-build your pieces?
If you want to stick with wheel-throwing for reasons of your
own, score the area of the attachments, and use a slip with
vinegar and toilet paper added as your attachment medium.
Pre-forming the shapes and letting them stiffen to a similar
level or moisture will help. You may also need to support
the pot from the inside to minimize distortion, since that's
been a problem for you in the past.
Any do you really need to trim first? Why not applique your
overlays, then trim? If you can, you could skip the rigamarole
described above, and come closer the straightforward and
simple Pueblo approach. Simple isn't always best, but it
sure is handy!
-Snail
p.s. I don't advocate making fake Indian pottery. There are
enough actual Indians making Indian pottery, most for a
subsistence income, who don't need more fakes undercutting
what (for some of them) is their sole marketable commodity:
their cultural heritage.
Rip off someone who can afford it, or better yet, no one.
None of this is directed at John, whose work I have never
seen. I just thought this was a good time to say it.
-S.
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