mel jacobson on sun 9 may 10
just some general observations.
not science or chemistry.
many potters like a lot of glass in their clay.
some hate it.
for me, i like a good deal of clay, and not so much
glass makers.
i throw pots, so silica does not do much for me, as it does
not add plastic qualities. ball clay does. i even add ball clay to porcel=
ain.
i use an open body with lots of sand and grog.
i mix as many clays in my bodies as i can find.
i love adding scrap from other potters. as long as it
is a cone 10 basic clay. works well for me.
my aesthetic demands texture, so i build on that.
slippery, smooth, baby pooh clay makes me sick to my stomach.
then i start to hic up and stutter, and my nose runs really bad
when i am in a really tight throwing position.
others love baby pooh clay.
by opening up the body, i avoid a lot of problems.
i also bisque fire really slow.
i have not seen an S crack in 30 years. and i hump throw all the
time. i hate talc in clay bodies.
things change all the time..raw materials are never the same.
we make do, in most cases.
there is no one great clay body...just clay bodies that
fit your work.
as i would tell anyone...if you can find a body that matches
what your brain is thinking, how you work, and what aesthetic
you are working towards...you will be a happy potter.
clay rules your work, glaze is a just a dress or suit of clothers.
mel
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
KATHI LESUEUR on mon 10 may 10
On May 9, 2010, at 11:26 PM, mel jacobson wrote:
>
> <> i mix as many clays in my bodies as i can find.
> i love adding scrap from other potters. as long as it
> is a cone 10 basic clay. works well for me.
> my aesthetic demands texture, so i build on that.
> slippery, smooth, baby pooh clay makes me sick to my stomach.
> then i start to hic up and stutter, and my nose runs really bad
> when i am in a really tight throwing position.
> others love baby pooh clay.>>
>
> <> fit your work.>>
>
> <>
>
Mel,
Such true words when it comes to clay. Before I moved to Texas in
1982 I was a accustomed to using a very coarse, open clay that
specked a lot. The clay from Armadillo was very smooth. I didn't like
the feel of it in my hands but, gosh, it threw beautifully. I could
throw thinner and bigger with little effort. Then I fired. When I
opened the kiln my partner was standing next to me. "It doesn't
speck," I said with disappointment. "It doesn't speck", she said with
excitement. I was looking for what I was accustomed to seeing. She
didn't have that filter. I still use that clay. I ship it up here
5000# a load. People say I'm crazy, just buy something here. But,
I've tried every clay here and none compares. Mixing my own isn't an
option. My space is limited and I'm not moving to the country to get
more. I'm just city girl at heart. And, now I hate the few specks
that sometimes come out in my clay. Just doesn't fit the look.
KATHI LESUEUR
http://www.lesueurclaywork.com
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