Jump to content

Qotw: What Form Do You Most Enjoy Creating, Whether Thrown Or Handbuilt, And Why?


Recommended Posts

I think I have often talked about forms, and my love of throwing/making teapots. Of all of the forms I have made, these are some of the most pleasing to me when finished.

 

Lately though I have been really enamored with batter bowls. My latest ones really please me visually, and function very well. The most pleasing aspect of the bowl is the way the flared rim gets folded down opposite the spout to create a place for the strap handle. Looking down the form is heart shaped. Does this new form take the place of the #1 teapot? No, but it is very intriguing of late.

 

So what is the form that you most enjoy making?

 

 

best,

Pres

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like my thrown work. I can quickly make elegant forms that are smooth and finished. Vases and bowls especially. However I really like raising some hand built designs onto a thrown base. Like the self portrait for the last community challenge.  I guess I find it to be a 2-D version of sculpting. There is a depth and a flatness.

 

There are some pure sculptural pieces that I am very very happy with but I find it harder to sustain making on a regular basis. Also I feel this type of work would benefit much more from wood or other atmospheric firing methods that I am currently unable to do. So it is hard to make artwork knowing I do not have the tool to finish it properly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At the moment my favorite form is a 1"x 5" clay test bar. Soon, I will be able to see them 1600x times better than the human eye.

 

Nerd

 

Edit: just came in from the studio. I made 24 vertical glaze test bars--moving up in the world. Why? I formulated a clear glaze that has 0.24 Mgo, 0.08 Fe, and 0.02 TiO2-- now that is clear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love to do face jugs (watched my grandfather throw 1,000's of them when i was a child), anything that uses over 40 pounds of clay, and i love to do carved bowls that i fire upside down that slump in the kiln.

 

I have just about finished my first firing in my anagama, i think it has around 100 face jugs, and 20 crocks that over 40 pounds each.  Right now were at 2,218*F and i'm ready to open the door...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depends on my mood really. If I want to make a lot I will throw bowls or cups. I really enjoy making sectionals but time is required for this. Lately I have spent a lot of time making bourbon bottles I love the closed forms. Last night I was throwing small cups to go with the bottles and will eventually build trays to make sets. I even have a couple ideas for handbuilt forms and even dug out my favorite doilies for the coming project. I find I really like throwing if I have an audience. I enjoy the attention as sick as it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anything with a lid. Jars, canisters, casseroles. I like the idea of creating a protected space inside, like putting a roof on a house.

My first professor said to never waste time doing a pot without a lid. .  . he said lidded containers would always sell, even though folks would often stick flowers in them and leave the lid on the floor by them! Go figure. I do like to throw lidded containers and most of my larger pots are lidded.

 

best,

Pres

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I make what I call my Morning Mug. They are slab built, wheel-thrown rim, pulled handle, and heavily textured outside walls.  I do one each morning with my first mug of coffee...kind of a ritual that gets my day off to a good start and they are fun to make.  I don't get to spend many whole days in the studio but this keeps me coming back (I started to say it keeps me regular...well, there IS coffee involved).

 

-Paul

Link to comment
Share on other sites

post-17674-0-54582900-1473426019_thumb.jpgIt seems that most of what are on my shelves to be bisque or glazed are bowls of different sizes and shapes as well as mugs. Must be a reason...hmmmm.

I also like to make what I call flower pot gremlins with clay scraps at the end of a throwing session. Here's a batch that has to be stained or glazed.

JohnnyK

post-17674-0-54582900-1473426019_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I love to belly out forms. There is something intriguing to me to have something flare out, then come back in (think wide belly, thin neck vase). Planters, vases, mugs, bowls. I also like the simple cylinder mug, let the clay shine through with the glaze and simple or no carving.

 

 

An old pot/jar with a lid.

 

1399749_614866205244171_472176691_o.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Both thrown and thrown-altered forms for right now.......there are so many possibilities.....a saying I like is: "The Creator put me on this Earth to do a certain number of things, and right now I am so far behind that I will never die" lol.  I guess I am overwhelmed but loving every second of it.  When I am in my studio working I am in a state of mind/peace that is hard to explain, but I am sure my fellow artists/potters know exactly what I am talking about.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.