Imbolchottie@AOL.COM on tue 15 jul 03
Just back from the Archives where I found more than I could have possibly
imagined. My best advice from anyone new to the list is to take an afternoon and
plunge in to the list 'Discussions by Subject.' I found the search
frustrating, so it is easier for me to take it subject by subject and scan EVERYTHING
of interest, by heading, and take notes.
My situation fires down to this - I'm a ^6, reduction firing type of guy.
Ron Roy -- I did try the High Calcium Semimatte 2 glaze and what I got is a
surface my teacher calls 'Vellum' -- opaque with a satin sheen to it -- not
what I was looking for but it gives me a base to work from. Vellum is nice, but
I want to explore that glaze further in reduction.
The celadon glaze that Tig sent me also turned opaque in reduction -- nice
color, but not the effect I was working towards. Again, another base to start
from.
I'm basically making functional ware at this point (plates, cups, bowls) so
leeching is my major consideration. Now I'm trying to learn to fit the glaze
to the result I'm looking for.
For inspiration I'm looking at the pieces of David Henley - great, wonderful,
In-Your-Face colors. And I'm going to try his slow cooling to see if it will
intensify the colors.
One afternoon, after many cups of java, I found ^6, reduction recipes from
John Anthony buried deep in the archives and wonderful feedback notes from Alisa
on her results in trying them. As they say in my circle "Bright Blessings to
both of you, thank you for your work and diligence!"
I do have some nonfunctional pieces I've been working on (incense jars) so I
am excited about the Floating Red.
The initial glaze that started me working on glazes is a glaze we used at
school that has since been discontinued -- a Mottled Green that turned plum,
purple and various shades of blue in reduction. I think I found that in the
Oxblood recipe. Now to fire some pieces to see if they can withstand the vinegar
tests -- and to see if I can get the plums and purples.
I feel like a 'Taker' at the moment -- I wish I had more to contribute to the
list -- I will just continue to make glazes, fire, and take notes.
But I am grateful -- I do appreciate all I have been reading and once I get
the majority of my goals finished production wise (small pieces consistent in
size and shape) I want to try my hand at centering large pieces -- leg work in
centering -- thanks Mel, I didn't know that. I was taught to place my elbow
in the hip, but not to use my leg. Next batch of B-mix I buy I will explore
that technique.
All this talk on merchandising is essential. Art vs Craft -- I liked Leech's
remark "I think of myself as a person who makes things." rather Zen and
complete. And I like rants from the desert myself, I take no offense. As Atticus
Finch said it gives me a chance to stand in another's skin. Cute animals are
not my goal, but I respect the work taken to make them, and I have respect
the fact that they are appreciated. (I teach my student's that you can't like
everyone (everything) but you can respect it, if necessary, at a distance.) I
do consider myself a Craftsman, which is a noble position to hold; I am
creative, productive and useful. Now to find the audience who appreciates that.
I have 'Mud in my Blood' at this point and I look at it as a blessing. Every
artistic endeavor I have done in the past has been preparing me for clay and
I am grateful for that. Some of my classmates think I am crazed to wedge out
25, 1# balls, and clock myself. I listen to C90 cassette tapes while I work
-- that way I found out it took me roughly 5 min. to throw 9 bowls. (45 min for
one side of the tape) Next I work on doing the same thing but throwing 12
bowls instead.
My thanks to Ron Roy, John, David, Joyce, Janet, Melsan, Alisa and the other
2, 993 posters and lurkers -- like Laughing Lion Production who is teaching me
much also.
I live well with the basics in life, I laugh as often as possible, and I love
as I would like to be loved.
Jonathan in LA
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
Mark Twain
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