mel jacobson on mon 17 jan 00
the complexity of clay is beyond knowledge.
think of what is being done in the space industry, computer
parts, hi tech beyond hi tech.
think of what is being done in `super conductivity`...clay as
wire for the transmission of electricity.
and we want a finite definition of porcelain. not going to happen.
some simple things that potters need to know.
how much glass do you want in your clay body?....the more
glass, the tighter the body, the more glass the whiter the
body becomes in most cases.
or, porcelain is white, but not all white clays are porcelain.
when you add oxides like iron, you cannot fire as high...flux.
so, pure white, high temp clay bodies tend to have a lot of glass
forming properties.
where it starts and when it stops is a very complex issue that i
will leave to ceramic engineers....
i have never been a purist about clay bodies...i like stoneware
mixed with porcelain...`dirty porcelain`...
it achieves a quality that i like...i like spots of iron showing in
my white ware...just do.
others would have fits, love the purity, clean clear quality. ming.
but, without question, i like clay better than glass.
so, in saying that, i will make clay bodies with sand, grog,
fire clay, ball clay, variety clay whatever, and leave out
the glass formers, silica, feldspar etc.
and add iron.
i like working with clay, all clay. i do not like to throw glass.
the more clay, the better the throwing body, less clay, turns
to baby phoo.
it is like steve grimmer talking of american shino....shino is an idea, not a
true glaze. it is potential energy. you have to explore shino, that is
why old potters love it....it is never the same. it is a testers nightmare.
we all have certain glazes that always work, never fail and they are
boring to most potters.
a firing of white porcelain, with a clear glaze, almost never changes
from start of kiln to finish...it bores the hell out of me..no adventure
when you open the kiln.
for many, that is the greatest thing on earth....just not my thing.
it you run a business, make your living, feed your kids, pay your taxes.
live with tonyc...well, make sure you know your glazes, use porcelain,
white ware and be consistent. helps a great deal.
i am just not in that place.
and happy for it.
mel/mn
ok, start eating the canned beans from the basement.
a guy near us in wisconsin bought 20,000 bucks worth
of food and stuff for his basement, y2k. think he his going
to have a sale soon.
http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)
from minnetonka, minnesota, u.s.a.
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