nick feng on sat 21 nov 98
Hi all!
I'm in the process of writing a book, a memoir of my twenty-plus years as a
working potter, the long story of a life of clay, craft shows and all the
other stuff in between. I'm including some good legends, fables about clay
and could use a few more. Do any of you potters out there have one that has
meant something to you that you would like to share?
Let me know, and thanks in advance.
Anita.
Leslie Norton on tue 24 nov 98
When students use to complain about not being "strong enough" to center a 8
or 10 pound piece of clay I suggested they get creative. I told them about
a little 100 pound Korean woman, I had heard about, that use to throw 50
pound pots all day. Her secret was that she would center using her leg.
-----Original Message-----
From: nick feng [mailto:nfeng_ms@classic.msn.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 1998 7:02 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: wanted: legends, fables about clay or potters
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hi all!
I'm in the process of writing a book, a memoir of my twenty-plus years as a
working potter, the long story of a life of clay, craft shows and all the
other stuff in between. I'm including some good legends, fables about
clay
and could use a few more. Do any of you potters out there have one that has
meant something to you that you would like to share?
Let me know, and thanks in advance.
Anita.
Laurie Friedlander on thu 26 nov 98
Hi! Here's a story I heard about copper reds. There was a potter in China who
filled his kiln with a load of copper green glazed pots. As the firing
progressed, unbeknownst to the potter, a rabbit hopped into the kiln, and when
the kiln was unloaded, the potter found to his amazement that his green pots
were red. He was so awed by their beauty that he presented one to the
Emperor. The Emperor commanded at once that the potter produce an entire kiln
load of these wonderful red pots. The potter fired kiln after load with
nothing but green glazed pots. The Emperor lost his patience and threatened to
send his royal executioner to behead the potter. The last load was firing when
the potter got word that the Emperor's messenger was on his way to see about
the pots. In desperation the potter jumped into his kiln and committed
suicide. When the messenger arrived he found nothing but the cooling kiln.
When the kiln was opened, there was a load of the desired red pots. I never
head a moral to this story, but it seems there's one hovering around this
somewhere. Good luck with your search. -Laurie
nick feng on fri 27 nov 98
Yes! That's one of the legends that I'm using, only in the version that I
heard, it wasn't a rabbit, but something else. I love that story! As for
morals, I prefer not to spell them out, but to leave it open at the end --
we all know the feeling of trying over and over to get a certain result, and
just at the point of despair and giving up, a solution appears. Right?
Thanks for your offering. Know any more?
Anita
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List On Behalf Of Laurie Friedlander
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 1998 7:24 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Re: wanted: legends, fables about clay or potters
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Hi! Here's a story I heard about copper reds. There was a potter in China who
filled his kiln with a load of copper green glazed pots. As the firing
progressed, unbeknownst to the potter, a rabbit hopped into the kiln, and when
the kiln was unloaded, the potter found to his amazement that his green pots
were red. He was so awed by their beauty that he presented one to the
Emperor. The Emperor commanded at once that the potter produce an entire kiln
load of these wonderful red pots. The potter fired kiln after load with
nothing but green glazed pots. The Emperor lost his patience and threatened to
send his royal executioner to behead the potter. The last load was firing when
the potter got word that the Emperor's messenger was on his way to see about
the pots. In desperation the potter jumped into his kiln and committed
suicide. When the messenger arrived he found nothing but the cooling kiln.
When the kiln was opened, there was a load of the desired red pots. I never
head a moral to this story, but it seems there's one hovering around this
somewhere. Good luck with your search. -Laurie
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