William & Susan Schran User on thu 7 jul 11
On 7/7/11 5:26 AM, "mel jacobson" wrote:
> it is process. different potters like different process. it does not
> make them more noble, or better than....or wonderful. it is just
> their process. craig edwards is a master wood firing potter. he loves
> the process, the color, the fire, the wood. we admire his energy and
> his love for his process. he is not better than a person firing a
> small electric kiln in their garage. but, he loves `his` process.
I am one of those persons with the small electric kiln in my garage, uh, I
mean studio.
I have a 1980's manual kiln, and a newer programmable kiln.
A wheel, table, wedging/reclaim board and lots of shelves all around.
A one-car garage - perfect for one potter.
I work with crystalline glazes.
Most everyone I know works with these glazes at ^10.
There's perhaps a couple hundred around the world working just on
crystalline glazes.
We have our own crystalline glaze online forum.
There is so much information about the process now that anyone can get
results first time out.
But the process is so time consuming, so technique intensive, very few
continue.
My circumstances created my process.
I did not have information that is now available.
I did not have equipment, at the time, that could reach ^10 fast enough.
So, I began exploring the possibilities at ^6 with a manual kiln.
If I had a 25% success rate I was happy.
More than a decade later, I still work at ^6.
I have equipment that will do ^10, but ^6 is my process.
Why do I stay with crystalline glazes and ^6?
It is the challenge.
I now know a great deal about the process, but I also know there is much
more I don't know.
As soon as I have one thing figured out, I'm ready to move on to resolve th=
e
next unanswered question.
I am working towards a solo show next January of my crystalline glazed work=
.
I am creating wheel thrown forms based on the concept of a cone and sphere.
The forms have evolved from rather simple two-piece pots to now, five part
assemblies.
I am excited and invigorated by this new work.
My focus has been only on these forms for the past 6 months.
Some of my clay buds have seen some on FB.
I'm looking forward to putting a "coat of many colors" on my new forms.
I think I supposed to write an article about my new discoveries.
I feel like I'm back in graduate school getting it together for my Master's
thesis.
But, I'm just a guy, with a small electric kiln in my garage.
It's not what you have, it's what you do with what you have.
It is my process.
Bill
--
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
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