Eleanor on sun 30 oct 05
I'm just back from visiting my grandchildren in Portland (what a
coincidence, NCECA here I come) and catching up on the List I noticed a
discussion on throwing tall; there was a Query followed by a lot of
good advice.
No one, not even the author, mentioned the definitive article by Ivor
Lewis of Clayart fame titled THROWING TALL which was in the Fall 1998
issue of Pottery Making Illustrated. The text is clear and concise but
full of the detail you need to accomplish the goal: a tall pot. The
article is also profusely illustrated.
I was not a subscriber to the magazine at the time; my local public
library got me a photocopy.
Mr Lewis is just too modest. He had another article in the Summer 1998
issue of the same magazine, BOWL MAKING: THE PREFORMING AND INVERSION
TECHNIQUE, equally informative. The technique is similar to that of
Michael Cardew in PIONEER POTTERY -- I have the 1969 edition--don't
know how or whether it's covered in the new edition.
The instructions in both articles resulted in some tall pots and a lot
of very nice bowls.
...........and. Recently, I asked a technique question on Clayart, got
some useful advice and one private email YELLING at me for not
consulting the Archives. Mea culpa, I hadn't.
But more recently there was a query about smoothing the bottoms of
feet, about which there is much in the Archives, including my own
query, made maybe 8 years ago. I got good advice then, but someone
answering the recent query (Lili?) suggested the use of a bamboo tool
to make things smooth. That was new and good, especially with the
groggy clay I'm using now.
So, though the topic may be old, there is always something new to be
learned.
And Clayart is definitely the place to learn it.
Eleanor Kohler
Centerport, NY
Pfeiffer, Dan R (Dan) on mon 31 oct 05
I am afraid small town libraries like mine do not have a copy of "Pottery
Making Illustrated" or in our case any magazine that I can see. As Laurel
just started work at our local library I will see if an "in" does any good.
:)
I have got lots of good info and advice from folks both on and off list but
I am not sure this will not need a demo. Part of the problem may be the clay
is not "just right" but without feeling what it should be I am just guessing
at what is not too soft or too hard.
I have the wheel going slow, for me, after the first pull but so far this
has not helped. After a weekend of practice I make two very nice tall, but
under 8", beer mugs and a lot of slop.
I have discovered the trick of pulling the bottom clay up into the walls and
found that it was good for at least 1" wall increase in a 1# mug, but this
has not helped so for in my quest of tall forms. I seem to not have a
shortage of clay as much at it is getting to soft to support a tall thin
wall. Maybe I am putting too much water on the wall but do not see a way to
not wet it good, it I don't I get a sticky spot and into the slob it goes. I
never did like using a sponge at I lose the feel of the clay but I may try
it and see if it helps.
I have found that there is a local master potter in town , Yong Rhee, and
hopefully we can get him to help. The very brief time I got a talk to him he
seems to be a very nice guy and he does make Very nice pots.
Thanks to all for there kind remarks.
Dan & Laurel in Elkmont
>>>>No one, not even the author, mentioned the definitive article by Ivor
Lewis of Clayart fame titled THROWING TALL which was in the Fall 1998
issue of Pottery Making Illustrated. The text is clear and concise but
full of the detail you need to accomplish the goal: a tall pot. The
article is also profusely illustrated.
I was not a subscriber to the magazine at the time; my local public
library got me a photocopy.>>>>
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