deb taylor on wed 1 dec 99
I'm writing this message from downtown Nanaimo, B.C. Just up the
hill is the Tozan Kiln ,where right now it's waiting, cold and empty
.It's a quiet, sad, lonely looking dragon and I always feel a little
sorry for it when it's "between HEATS".
Like a Clyesdale with all its gear on it looks you in the eye and
asks; so when are we doing it, when are havin' at it, come on, lets
get the lead out folks. Bring it on!!!!
Because it's a community kiln and a BIG one , we have 2 scheduled
firings a year, May and August. IN THE BEGINNING there was caution!
Yes caution , and that preconceived idea that "you always bisque and
then glaze fire", well there are a " few" unconventional people who
have thrown caution to the wind. Yes I say throw all those preconceived
, conventional ,you must follow the rules and do it this way ideals
away..... God , how daring !!!!!!
The firings of May and August this year: the challenge was on and
the last pot was thrown at 8 a.m. Sunday morning , loaded into the Dogi
.. Kiln was lit Mon a.m.
The pot was a beauty, not because it had been wet, just that it was a
beauty!!!!!!
We keep saying that one of these firings we're going to bring a wheel up
.....
THROW IT AND LOAD IT!
YES YES I can hear the protests from here.... I realize that we can do
this because the kiln is SO SO SO big and we don't try these things at
the expense of perhaps blowing up someone elses peices. Care is taken
in placing this ware, usually surrounded with a fortress of the same
persons pots , so I guess what I'm saying is ........ If that urge, that
itch, that tingle you have somewhere in or on your body says Take
a CHANCE, be BRAVE, STEP out of the BOX Do It!!!
A toast to ALL lovers of THE wettest , slipperiest, most malleable
medium the earth has to offer!!!! If there is another , let me know.
On second thought maybe not, thats all I need is one more
addiction!!!!!
Deb Taylor
claybroad@pacificcoast.net
Martin Howard on thu 2 dec 99
Deb Taylor wrote to ClayArt:-
If that urge, that itch, that tingle you have somewhere in or on your body
says Take a CHANCE, be BRAVE, STEP out of the BOX Do It!!!
I love those sentiments. As a spiritualist and quaker, there are two
sometimes conflicting forces in me.
The first is the tingling down the spine which means "You're onto something
here. Just do it." I often have it when meeting someone "by chance" (but we
know it isn't chance) and feel inclined to introduce certain normally taboo
subjects, such as live after death, re-incarnation, healing, etc. The tingle
comes. I act. It's OK. That was just the message the person was wanting and
needing. Great.
The second is the quaker slow and sure decision making process, checking
with all the books and authorities to see if I have the right to do it. For
some processes that works better. Check the glaze formula against the
computer read-out. Do a line test first. Don't risk a kiln full for the sake
of one experimental pot.
All life seems to be a balancing act between two points. How to choose? I
suppose that is down to experience.
Martin Howard
Webbs Cottage Pottery
Woolpits Road
Great Saling
BRAINTREE
Essex CM7 5DZ
martin@webbscottage.co.uk
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