Geometric Shapes

This first pot is a pedestal vessel about 9.5 x 9 x 3.75 inches. The rectangular box sits on top of the enclosed pedestal. I poked holes in the sides of the pedestal to let air escape during firing. In my sketch for this piece I was going to place strips of clay all the way around, either horizontal or vertical. But I was running out of slip so I decided to attach two rectangles on the front and back instead. I'll have to make a few more of these pedestals with different geometric attachments.


Looking at the photos of my pieces after I make them, I find I can "see" them in a different way. I can envision this piece with grapes piled inside and drooping over the edges. I can also envision an ikebana arrangement in the pedestal. It might be nice to make a geometric floral frog to use inside this piece. Or I could see a nice stain or glaze on the pot and nothing in it.

Remember I unsuspectingly purchased cone 10 sculpture clay instead of cone 5/6? Turns out I really like working with this clay. It stiffens up and yet it remains pliable enough for me to attach my geometric sprigs. It also stays pliable enough to work the edges and smooth the seams. What more could I ask for?

Well I could ask for a good firing. I'll have to see how this clay does when it's fired and glazed. I've been thinking of my cone 10 glazes for these pieces and getting rather excited to use some tenmoku, ohata kaki, teadust, and celadon. I can see the benefit of making more than one of a piece. I could make ten the same, glaze each one with a different glaze, and each would be completely different.


The second pot is a tall and narrow vase, about 12 x 4.5 x 1.5 inches. Maybe the little ovals on the sides distract the eye. What do you think? Gary is my studio critique buddy. He's always saying simple is better, less is more. I thought I could glaze this one with tenmoku and put some blue glaze on the ovals and have it drip off of them. I remember a couple of years ago I made some tea bowls with that combination and I really liked how the blue ran down. Something to think about.

Here's a shot of the largest gopher tortoise in our yard. Last time I saw him I thought he had white markings or damage on his shell. I noticed today it's sand. When he leaves his tunnel the sand stays on top of his back. I didn't reduce the size of the photo so you can click on it and see all the detail. I got pretty close to him and he was frightened, eyeing me and tucking his head back inside, so I left. When he goes back into his tunnel, he tucks his feet in and slides right in, so intriguing to observe.


I made the ovals vase yesterday and then the pedestal vessel today. Now that I can compare the two pieces here in the photos on my blog, I like the simplicity of the first piece compared to the second. I really enjoy exploring geometric shapes with clay.

Gary said all my tall pieces lean a little. I used to worry about that, but now I've decided to go with it. That's the wabi sabi of my work. I also jokingly told Gary when someone tries to imitate my work, if the piece doesn't lean, it's a forgery. I gave myself a good belly laugh over that thought. I'll be incognito for a bit while I pack up my studio so the tile can be laid, the last room in the house. Try as I will, I can't put it off any longer. Comments and suggestions are welcome.