Patrick Rowe on thu 28 mar 02
I got my first job as a production potter in early 1995. I don't really
know why the guy hired me. The going rate was 5o cents per pound. My first
day on the job I took home $12.50 for about 8 hours of work. My stomach
demanded that I improve, and fast. So for a while I focused on speeding up
my throwing. In the next 2 weeks I experienced an incredibly steep learning
curve and was able to make good money. My skills improved quite rapidly.
Nowadays I charge more for production work. 1$ per pound or 20% of retail
price. I don't have to throw as much clay and I make better pots. So I
guess there is a time for speed. However, now I am more concerned about
producing high quality than sheer volume. After all I'd like to keep my
jobs and keep my clients satisfied.
Patrick Rowe
KLeSueur@AOL.COM on fri 29 mar 02
I think one of the best exercises for anyone wanting to be a production potter is to "put yourself on the clock". Weigh out clay for any form that you want to produce in quantity and throw the pieces as fast as you can. Don't be concerned about how good they are. Just go for the basic form as fast as you can. How many can you do in a half hour? And hour? When you finish cut them apart and evaluate. At some point you probably hit a rhythm. Didn't even think about what you are doing. When you back off on your speed you'll find that the form is much easier to produce consistantly. Do this exercise for thrity years and you, too, can make a 5 minute teapot.
I have no doubt that Mel can produce a teapot in the time he says. He's been doing it for years. Could probably throw the forms blind. His fingers know the way to the form without thinking. No fussing with this work. Just good, honest pots that people love to use.. not just put on a shelf to admire.
Kathi LeSueur
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