Friday, September 11, 2009

Some Old Pots

Altered Coil Vase by Linda Starr
10 x 5.5 x 5

Today I'm in a reflective mood because of the date in history, but also because of moving and the future. While packing up my studio I came across some old stoneware pots I made years ago, a couple of coiled pots and a small hand built tray. I purposefully squeezed the vase above after I made it and then added the drooping handles. The handles look like cinch strings; I like that idea. The pot will not hold water and the glaze crawled but it was one of the first coiled pieces I ever made and glazed.

Textured Coiled Pot by Linda Starr
5.5 x 5 x 5

I became a bit nostalgic thinking that my pot making was a lot more free back then than it is now. Back then I wasn't thinking of how the pot would turn out or what it would look like in the end, I was just engrossed in the making. This coiled pot will hold water, but the glaze had a lot of debris in it which stuck to the outside of the pot. The glazes at the college classroom always seemed to be contaminated. Each pot I made was a learning experience. I started making my own glazes, sieving them and washing my pots before glazing them.

Small Tray by Linda Starr
3 x 5.5 x 5

I really love the glaze on this hand built tray, it's called celery. No one at the college had the recipe for the glaze; there was just a small bucket in the classroom, gone many years ago. If you have the recipe I would love to have it. This cone 10 glaze is perfect for a stoneware clay; it's a beautiful light colored matt and breaks to a warm brown on the edges. I use this little tray to hold spools of thread when I'm doing a bit of sewing.

I think it's good for me to look back at some old work, to see where I have been, where I am now, and where I might be going. I'm just itching to make a few pots today, but alas, for now it's back to packing, have a good weekend.

6 comments:

  1. I know exactly where you are coming from. As you know, we just came back from visiting my parents. My mom has been the (gracious, in later years actually grateful) recipient of my pottery since I started in clay back in 1991. It was a bit of a shock seeing a lot of my old work. But, as you say, its good to reflect back on where we've come from and the lessons we've learned on the way.
    Miri

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  2. glad I'm not the only one packing! I decided to give a piece of pottery to each of one who helps me move. :) peace!

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  3. Checking out the skills over the years! Aolways a fun thing to do! Love to have those pots tucked away for later use reflection! WOW, it's really happening if your studio is getting packed up!

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  4. Hi Miri, some is gracious and some grateful of even the old stuff I'll bet. Looking at the freedom of ideas I had way back then I was surprised and the lessons are so many to learn and still learn. Oh well, keeps me on my toes.

    Hi Amy, I'd help you move for a piece of your pottery, Oh I'd help you move anyway. I can't wait till I can see your yunomi in person. Once we get moved I hope to be able to start a small collection of other potter's work.

    Hi Mary, yes I can actually learn a lot from just looking at them and I think it is a good review occasionally. So far all is cool, baring any unforeseen set backs, we'll be heading into the wild bue yonder very soon.

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  5. It is always so interesting to see anyones early pots. Textured coiled pot is particularly nice.

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  6. Hi Kitty, thanks, I'd make all three of these shapes again, might be a good exercise for me.

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