pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on tue 9 sep 08
Hi Vena, Mary, all...
Even 'Sets' or sets in the sense of refined Table-Settings can be completely
charming when each entity or item-kind is true-to-form, but where the size
varies...even to varying more than a little in fact.
I easily imagine the delight of someone commissioning or purchasing such a
set, when they and members of their family each elect certain favorite
pieces they want to use each time the set is used...individual pieces which
each person soon claims for their 'own'...from among the size variations of
each kind of item the 'set' contained.
If one is making say Tumblers only, and is into a particular definite
form...then making various sizes of the same form, with or without
same-glazes, to me, seems delightful...and Natural.
So many times in seeing a table full of same-size Mugs for example, I'd
wished the Potter had at least made a few half-sized or two-thirds-sized and
even a few 'Jumbo' ones also...where, I'd have gotten a bunch of them then
instead of one.
Same with Bowls...same with anything.
Different sizes of the 'same' thing is very appealing to many people...and
seems very natural and sensible to me, both to make, and to wish to own and
use.
It is surprising that almost no Potters ever seem to do this.
Anyway, as for Mary's original mention...
It'd be the same with me...
Sure, even if I ( who am not Throwing presently, but if I were! ) were to
Throw say 100 identical items in-a-row...I'd be really REALLY into making
the 'next' 100 as being larger-smaller...even taller-narrower, and,
lower-wider...and so on, yet each clearly being OF, and belonging TO the
same very-definite 'family', just in differing sizes...and or differing
proportions possibly also.
Speaking for myself, I would not feel happy...unless I did do that..!
And my guess?
Once they were all on the 'Table' at-the-show or in my Show Room or other
venue, the 'little' ones and 'off' size ones, would out-sell what had
otherwise been the 'usual' one...if just selling individual pieces as
options to 'Sets' as such.
And if people wished to assemble 'Sets' then they would be free to assemble
'all the same', or, 'mostly the same with a few larger and smaller', or, all
different...
How sweet...
Phil
l v
----- Original Message -----
From: "Veena Raghavan"
> What great advice, Phil.
>
> In my advancing years, that is just what I have decided to do!
>
> Mary, Iike you, I just hate throwing sets, although I do from time to
> time. I
> just love every piece to have its own personality. Now that years are
> running
> out on me, I spend a lot of time experimenting, challenging myself, and
> making each piece a little different if not very different. Expreimenting
> in both
> form, texture, carving, and glazing, lots of glaze experiments.
>
> Good luck to you.
>
> Veena
>
>
> In a message dated 9/9/2008 6:37:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
>>
>>
>> Throw what makes you happy...
>>
>
> VeenaRaghavan@cs.com
>
Mary Starosta on tue 9 sep 08
What are your thoughts on throwing the same pieces or NOT? I am struggling
with throwing the same pieces. I can do it but it's a fight to. I have
such a dislike for throwing the same, not really sure why that is other than
I somehow feel it's "production" or less than? When I throw Cappuccino mugs
with the intent of throwing them the same, I end up subtly tweaking them
either in the handle or stem,etc. Or if my pieces do make it through the
Bisque the same, I end up tweaking the glaze just a bit so they are not the
same? Is it just my thinking?
Mary
http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
Antoinette Badenhorst on tue 9 sep 08
Mary; the best of what we do should carry some of our own identity and should speak to others with honesty. There was a time that I wished that I still could make pots as I made it in my very early days: without knowledge, without pretension and judgment. Just for fun.....
I always tell my students if they want to do it perfect; go work in a factory.....
--
Antoinette Badenhorst
www.clayandcanvas.com
www.studiopottery.co.uk
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Mary Starosta
> What are your thoughts on throwing the same pieces or NOT? I am struggling
> with throwing the same pieces. I can do it but it's a fight to. I have
> such a dislike for throwing the same, not really sure why that is other than
> I somehow feel it's "production" or less than? When I throw Cappuccino mugs
> with the intent of throwing them the same, I end up subtly tweaking them
> either in the handle or stem,etc. Or if my pieces do make it through the
> Bisque the same, I end up tweaking the glaze just a bit so they are not the
> same? Is it just my thinking?
> Mary
> http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
Kim Hohlmayer on tue 9 sep 08
Mary,
Good question which will stir up some debate. You obviously have the skill to throw sets of items but genuinely don't enjoy doing it. My take is if it doesn't stop you from being able to support your pottery habit- or yourself if you are one of the rare few who truly pot for a living-do what makes you happy. One friend actually hates it when people at shows go through all her mugs to come up with 4 or 6 or 8 alike because they think things need to come in matched sets.
Do what pleases you and what helps you further your development as an artist. --Kim H.
--- On Tue, 9/9/08, Mary Starosta wrote:
> From: Mary Starosta
> Subject: thoughts on Throwing the SAME or NOT
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Date: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 11:08 AM
> What are your thoughts on throwing the same pieces or NOT?
> I am struggling
> with throwing the same pieces. I can do it but it's a
> fight to. I have
> such a dislike for throwing the same, not really sure why
> that is other than
> I somehow feel it's "production" or less
> than? When I throw Cappuccino mugs
> with the intent of throwing them the same, I end up subtly
> tweaking them
> either in the handle or stem,etc. Or if my pieces do make
> it through the
> Bisque the same, I end up tweaking the glaze just a bit so
> they are not the
> same? Is it just my thinking?
> Mary
> http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on tue 9 sep 08
Hi Mary,
Throw what makes you happy...
Phil
l v
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mary Starosta"
> What are your thoughts on throwing the same pieces or NOT? I am
> struggling
> with throwing the same pieces. I can do it but it's a fight to. I have
> such a dislike for throwing the same, not really sure why that is other
> than
> I somehow feel it's "production" or less than? When I throw Cappuccino
> mugs
> with the intent of throwing them the same, I end up subtly tweaking them
> either in the handle or stem,etc. Or if my pieces do make it through the
> Bisque the same, I end up tweaking the glaze just a bit so they are not
> the
> same? Is it just my thinking?
> Mary
> http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
>
Veena Raghavan on tue 9 sep 08
What great advice, Phil.
In my advancing years, that is just what I have decided to do!
Mary, Iike you, I just hate throwing sets, although I do from time to time. I
just love every piece to have its own personality. Now that years are running
out on me, I spend a lot of time experimenting, challenging myself, and
making each piece a little different if not very different. Expreimenting in both
form, texture, carving, and glazing, lots of glaze experiments.
Good luck to you.
Veena
In a message dated 9/9/2008 6:37:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET writes:
>
>
> Throw what makes you happy...
>
VeenaRaghavan@cs.com
David Woof on wed 10 sep 08
Mary=2C please explain=2C less than what??? I agree with Phil=2C make w=
hat pleases you. =20
=20
Perhaps you will feel freer to do so if you give up the "artist" vs. produc=
tion conflict=20
going on in your head. An old proverb says "there are princes walking and =
fools riding horses". So too there are "artists" making crap and production=
craftspersons producing=20
timeless works of art and beauty as a matter of being there when the muse t=
ranscends=20
their focus on the craft of their activity. Who of us needs that drivel in=
our heads when all that creative space could be focused on ideas and open =
to the promptings of our muse. I wallowed in that morass a few times past w=
hile finding my place. I realized that=20
elitism is a non productive form of fear driven protectionism and blocks th=
e creative=20
juices from their full freedom of expression. It also alienates us from a =
great many=20
people we could be communicating with=2C sharing and learning from. Most of=
the ancient vessels in art museums were made as everyday production=20
and many of the truly great potters and clay studio artists of our time wer=
e at=20
some time in their past involved in production. Hence their command of tec=
hnical=20
ability and subsequently of expressive and graceful consciousness of form. =
Somewhere near 1980-81 Warren Mckenzie had a set of cups featured in CM. =20
My observation was that they were an assemblage of related forms and featur=
es=2C=20
much like one sees in a large family produced by the same mom and dad. He =
called=20
them a set=2C and so they were. David Eat the best healthy food you can fin=
dDrink the finest wine you can affordMake love really often with someone sp=
ecial Davidwoofstudio.comClarkdale=2C AZ. 86324 ----- Original Message ---=
--From: "Mary Starosta"> What are your thoughts on throwing the same pieces=
or NOT? I am> struggling> with throwing the same pieces. I can do it but i=
t's a fight to. I have> such a dislike for throwing the same=2C not really =
sure why that is other> than>***I somehow feel it's "production" or less th=
an? When I throw Cappuccino> mugs> with the intent of throwing them the sam=
e=2C I end up subtly tweaking them> either in the handle or stem=2Cetc. Or =
if my pieces do make it through the> Bisque the same=2C I end up tweaking t=
he glaze just a bit so they are not> the> same? Is it just my thinking?> Ma=
ry> http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/> =20
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See how Windows Mobile brings your life together=97at home=2C work=2C or on=
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Antoinette Badenhorst on wed 10 sep 08
Phil wrote:
"Different sizes of the 'same' thing is very appealing to many people...and
seems very natural and sensible to me, both to make, and to wish to own and
use."
I also know how to throw sets( had a good share of practice when I had a factory in SA) and I still occasionally throw sets. Only I do not care too much about doing it perfect and evenly sized.
The more important things to pay attention to is if the glaze fit well and whether it is food safe and durable. Does the mugs give me a good grip and allow me to drink from it without liquid dripping down my face. Is bowls and plates stack able in the kitchen cabinet and fit into the dishwasher. Does larger serving plates and casseroles allow me to handle them safely and does the teapot pour without dripping and lids flying every where. My biggest pet peeve is heavy clunky pottery with which one can kill a moose!
Designing sets has much more to it than we often times consider. I prefer 10 sets of odd mugs that "work properly" than one uncomfortable set that just look nice. Once again a nice education tool to convince buyers to buy our odd mugs......
--
Antoinette Badenhorst
www.clayandcanvas.com
www.studiopottery.co.uk
Jones, Nina D. on wed 10 sep 08
It's my thinking too. My favorite glazes are those that vary so that no 2=
pieces with the same glaze can ever be identical. And each piece has to=
have it's own face, like sisters who are obviously sisters but each having=
that which is uniquely hers.
Nina
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Mary Starosta
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 10:08 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: thoughts on Throwing the SAME or NOT
What are your thoughts on throwing the same pieces or NOT? I am=
struggling
with throwing the same pieces. I can do it but it's a fight to. I have
such a dislike for throwing the same, not really sure why that is other=
than
I somehow feel it's "production" or less than? When I throw Cappuccino=
mugs
with the intent of throwing them the same, I end up subtly tweaking them
either in the handle or stem,etc. Or if my pieces do make it through the
Bisque the same, I end up tweaking the glaze just a bit so they are not the
same? Is it just my thinking?
Mary
http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
The contents of this message may be privileged and confidential. Therefore,=
if this message has been received in error, please delete it without=
reading it. Your receipt of this message is not intended to waive any=
applicable privilege. Please do not disseminate this message without the=
permission of the author.
***************************************************************************=
***
Any tax advice contained in this email was not intended to be used, and=
cannot be used, by you (or any other taxpayer) to avoid penalties under=
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. =0D
Mary Starosta on thu 11 sep 08
Thanks To all who are posting on this subject, , ,it is something I am
podering and struggling with. I think it must be my thinking some how?
Less than. . .means to me, when I throw a piece the same,there is no joy in
it for me, no magic, no awe, like having my hands tied somehow,limited,not
expressive,in a box,and I think is my thinking? I can see beauty in someone
elses' piece that is the same when it is made well and feels snuggly in my
hand,etc. I get excited when I make two pieces that are similar,like size
and shape but have subtle differences, like a stem or handle. I really get
excited when that piece is so subtle you have to look at it for awhile
before you see the difference but it has to be intentional like something
you notice and realize oh they put that there. Not just a shape difference
that you can see was a OOPS. That gets me going. . . and it's very FUN
especially when I am exploring something NEW like for the first time
Cappaccino mugs,etc. I love to make them with first obvious differences
that you can see right off like a stem and handle, but than when it is
really subtle well. . . that's like MAGIC to me.
The struggle comes in when I realize that this piece must sell so I can
continue, and that's when I struggle with thinking they must be the same as
a set. I have seen very nice sets, I am a functional potter by nature, and
so I think, I must learn to be OK with that side of my pieces. Not
everyone sees Differences, in people and pottery, as marketable or Real
Estate for that matter.
My hope is to somehow, ever so sublte,make a functional piece that will LOOK
in the PUBLIC EYE as a set but for me show the intention of DIFFERENCE. I
don't know if that will sell but that is my HOPE! It is my belief that
DIfferent is Better and ok and I hope someday Valued.
Mary
Colorado Potter
http://marystarosta.wordpress.com/
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