What? Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 It is about form. Then surface. When these two compliment each other you have the wow factor. I have been drawn toward wood fired pottery for a while now. I have no experience with this firing process but look forward to some workshops in the future. I also am becoming more interested in the chemistry make up of glazes and what influences them. I am impressed with the fantastic drawings and artwork on pieces but am more inclined to study and look at work that I myself could possibly make. I am a craftsman no artist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 Giselle, often what we admire is not what we make. I look at many pieces in galleries that are so well done like beautiful round crystalline glazed bottles or raku pieces that have fabulous natural cracking surfaces or Wood fired pots with the flow of the flame eternally etched in the surface. . .in awe and speechless to be able to describe how I feel. However, at this point in time they are not what I would do, or can do. I make some semi sculptural pieces that appeal to me, but mostly functional pieces for others and my family to use. I feel the same way. Wood-fired pieces as well as crystalline pottery leaves me in awe. I always think that perhaps sometime in the future I will move on to working with one or the other of those processes. You just never know and there are infinite little byways and detours to keep one busy with ceramics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted March 29, 2017 Report Share Posted March 29, 2017 i just realized that nobody has mentioned blowing up a bottle. those of us with 30/40 years experience may remember the forms with the overblown balloon look and tiny neck. pres and marcia's commemts make me remember that phase of working. to make them, we threw a bottle shape and then used our breath to "blow up" the clay shape. if the clay was evenly thrown, if we had enough air in our lungs, if there was no weak spot somewhere, then the bottle would expand evenly all the way around. a quick wipe with a wet cloth and our lips were clean. a quick touch-up to the neck straightened it. you can imagine what happened if there was a weak spot or if the clay was too thickly thrown. try it sometime. I haven't done exactly that but I have saved a couple of pots that were starting to collapse by blowing them back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 For me form is always primary, if the form is not there than function or surface doesn't really matter. If there is a mug or a teapot with an unpleasing form, would you still want to purchase or use it even if the glaze (surface) is perfect? Of course pleasing or unpleasing is in the eye of the beholder. Now if you have a beautiful form along with a beautiful surface you have a winner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Yet if that beautiful teapot form pours poorly, or the handle is uncomfortable, or the lid falls off unless held on, or the tea gets cold too quickly, of what use is the teapot except to sit on a shelf. Yes, form is important to me, as is surface. When looking in galleries those are the things that catch my eye, but when it comes down to really making a decision to buy. . . I'll ask for pitcher of water when buying a teapot! best, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Yet if that beautiful teapot form pours poorly, or the handle is uncomfortable, or the lid falls off unless held on, or the tea gets cold too quickly, of what use is the teapot except to sit on a shelf. Isn't all that a part of form? No amount of surface decoration or pretty glaze is going to fix that. So maybe a question might be, 'Is how a item operates a function or form?' I'm thinking it could be argued either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted March 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Yes, your point taken, but then does that account for sculptural teapots, or the Super functional ones that no one in their right mind would use as they are 2 feet tall? best, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 30, 2017 Report Share Posted March 30, 2017 Successful sculpture is still about form as is a 24" teapot if it wants to look good and not become a coat hanger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GiselleNo5 Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Um ... you guys DON'T drink five gallons of tea at one sitting .... ??? Weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 31, 2017 Report Share Posted March 31, 2017 Only when the Mad Hatter comes to tea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted April 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2017 Happened to remember, that i DID blow up pots to inflate them. However, it was when doing closed lidded one piece round boxes. I would close the form, notch for the lid, insert a straw about 1/3 of the way up the bottom of the pot and inflate the form slightly, giving more lift to the top, and a slight bulging to the sides. When leather hard, patch the straw hole and trim from there down to the base, finishing the form. best, Pres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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