Morris, Marlene F. on thu 12 sep 02
Hello there,
I'm a student doing research on throwing, and I have a couple of questions
that I would very much appreciate your help with --
Who is the most skilled potter you have watched throwing on the wheel?
What was it about this potter and his/her skill that impressed or even
amazed you?
And for you skilled throwers --
What do you think about when you throw?
What form takes the greatest skill from you?
How do you prepare to throw that form?
How did you learn to throw it?
What precautions do you take to facilitate a good outcome during clay
preparation, throwing, drying, trimming and firing?
I'm also going to check the archives on this subject; if you know of any
particular posts I should check I'd appreciate knowing which ones they are.
Thank you very much for your consideration on this and any help you can
give.
Marlene
Giles on thu 12 sep 02
> Who is the most skilled potter you have watched throwing on the wheel?
Cynthia Bringle.
> What was it about this potter and his/her skill that impressed or even
> amazed you?
In a strange studio, with unfamiliar clay, on an unfamiliar wheel, it
look like all she did was touch the clay and it was centered. It stayed
that way. No little wobble. No tiny uneveness in the lip. Three pulls, it
was a pot. Collar in for a bottle? still even. Split the rim for a lid?
Still even. The kind of craftsmanship that allows the artist to give her
thought to the art of her craft, rather than the technicalities.
Then there was Harvey Sadow-- a totally different kind of amazing. No
one should be able to make that extreme form (small foot, small neck, HUGE
balloon of a pot in between) with that small amount of clay!
Kristen Giles
BVCuma on fri 13 sep 02
>>What was it about this potter and his/her skill that impressed or even
amazed you?<<
_________________
Hi Marlene,
I find it amazing that these guys never heard of centering..
they simply cone up, drop the thumbs down and descent into a donut...
fully centered and open in less than six seconds...6 kgs clay.
Think of a yo-yo.. down-up.
only they go... up-down
They don't bother to "walk the dog"
or do the "sleeper trick"..
or tour "around the world"..
just enough time for the here and now of it.
Bruce
Lily Krakowski on fri 13 sep 02
The question you ask is, is to me, a question of amazing intimacy. That is
point #1. Who is the best thrower I have watched? No idea. Because I have
watched many, and each really good thrower is different, is another, says
something else with the movements involved. I have seen a number of great
dancers; Yes, Markova, yes Tallchief, yes, Nuriyev, yes, Barishnikov
(apologies if spelling is wrong.) I have heard some great singers; but how
do I compare Emmy Lou Harris, Mahaliah Jackson, and Jessie Norman? Each can
move me to tears--but each in a different way.
As to my own throwing. Oh, dear. I don't think when I throw. I am
entirely focused and absorbed. I no longer need to think about shape or
how-to so I just sort of focus down, way down, and gradually develop a sort
of semi-hypnotized state. Right now hard forms are those that crash against
my physical limitations--damaged hands, and weakened arms.
I learned by trying it out on my own. Watching others, A little later I
was fortunate enough to go to the School for American Craftsmen and have
Frans Wildenhain as my teacher. Frans ran something--others will tell you
as well--that was 3/4 boot camp and 1/4 kindergarden. He was a wonderful
teacher.
As to precautions to produce good outcome. Nothing much. Nothing more than
good studio management, which is nothing fancier than good kitchen
management is. You know. Remember to chill the bowl for whipped cream.
Remember to take the butter out so it is soft enough to make batter. Check
that you have enough eggs. That sort of thing. (Just baked my husband a
birthday cheesecake)
Good luck with your research. Lettuce know when you finish and publish it.
Morris, Marlene F. writes:
> Hello there,
>
> I'm a student doing research on throwing, and I have a couple of questions
> that I would very much appreciate your help with --
>
> Who is the most skilled potter you have watched throwing on the wheel?
>
> What was it about this potter and his/her skill that impressed or even
> amazed you?
>
> And for you skilled throwers --
>
> What do you think about when you throw?
>
> What form takes the greatest skill from you?
>
> How do you prepare to throw that form?
> How did you learn to throw it?
> What precautions do you take to facilitate a good outcome during clay
> preparation, throwing, drying, trimming and firing?
>
> I'm also going to check the archives on this subject; if you know of any
> particular posts I should check I'd appreciate knowing which ones they are.
>
> Thank you very much for your consideration on this and any help you can
> give.
>
> Marlene
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Lili Krakowski
P.O. Box #1
Constableville, N.Y.
(315) 942-5916/ 397-2389
Be of good courage....
BVCuma on fri 13 sep 02
>>Who is the most skilled potter you have watched throwing on the wheel?
What was it about this potter and his/her skill that impressed or even
amazed you?<<
_____________________
Hi Marlene,
I've not really seen anyone else throw..
But the local Indian potters I am working with now..
Do impress me..
What is the most impressive?
Their confidence to take poor clay
and coax it beyond limits..successfully
and throwing... "off axis".
Bruce
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