Bonnie Staffel on fri 3 oct 03
Hi Clayarters,
Have you all not read my recent posts about throwing big pots? Look at my
web site and see what an 81 year old female can do. Geez, Mel, hassling
that huge lump of clay would wear me out before even getting the wall up to
the elbow. I centered 75 pounds once many years ago to make a very large
planter. Took me three days to recover!!!! Over the years I developed
the coil throwing method, a precursor to the making of big pots, really an
ancient method practiced by potters in other countries. Learning the method
opens up such a world of adventure in making big pots as well as
out-of-round pots. One must have a kiln large enough to fire what you
produce. I am restricted by a 24" high electric kiln. During my throwing,
I could have gone 6' - 8' high if I had safe scaffolding and a large enough
kiln. I feel strongly that one should accomplish a skill in the technique
one needs so to be free to create. I did not have the luxury of having a
college education in clay so I had to figure things out myself through
research and workshops. Cranbrook gave me the friendship of Toshiko
Takaezu. I admired her ability to throw such huge pots where she starts
out with a lump of clay. But with my coil throwing method, you can start
out with the coil. The hand/arm/body positions are quite different from
centering the lump.
I am getting increased interest in my video on throwing with coils and
slabs, the video that shows the skills needed to work to eventually make big
pots. I have just gone into my second edition. It is not a
"professionally" produced video except for my text/music editor. Just my
friend and me making the video step by step showing the hand positions, and
how to center coils. But I have been a teacher for many years so feel I
have something to offer those who already know how to center the huge lump
of clay. We all get older and the body starts to ache and make restrictions
in the use of our muscles. Throwing with coils gives us a few more years at
the wheel.
I feel that it is a duty to give back if one has a talent. Contemporary
potters have climbed up on the backs of the ancient ones. Progress comes
from sharing. That is what is so great abut the Clayart Forum. Potters
are generous, giving people. I have a number of other video ideas I hope to
explore in the future after my wrists are operated on this winter.
Imagine, CTS after all these years!! I have been very fortunate to have a
wonderful career in clay.
Check out my website, Links Page, for information on my videos. Email me
for further information or dialogue.
Warm regards, Bonnie Staffel on a very rainy, cold day in Charlevoix - my
studio awaiting the move to my home this month.
http://pws.chartermi.net/~bstaffel/
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