Pictured next are some of the more mundane tasks necessary to make pots. Glaze testing is something that goes on constantly.
Making up a load of conepacs. Cones are pieces of clay that melt at specific temperatures. By putting a series of cones in the kiln near a spy hole, I am able to "see" the temperature in the kiln. I have a computer that runs the kiln, but ultimately the most trustworthy method of knowing the temperature in the kiln is by using cones.
Here I am shaking 25#s of dry glaze to mix it uniformly. That's my exercise for the day!
Here is the next batch of pots to be glazed. It is a group of wonderful pots. In the next update, I am going to try and show you the myriad of steps to bring one of these pots to completion. These pots are more lke paintings than pots. Some of these pots will 30 or 40 glazes on them. I see myself as organizing and transforming matter. I carefully place all these tiny bits of mud in an intricate pattern on the pot in the course of a couple of weeks and then I put it in the fire and keep my fingers crossed!
Here is more of the mudane. Signing the pots...
and then waxing out the bottoms to protect the markings while it is being handled and glazed.
Just to tease you and make this update a bit more interesting, I walked around the studio and took a number of pics of pots that I have kept along the way. I am sure you will find them of interest and no doubt you have seen some of them before. Keep in mind, the pots that I showed you above that are going to be glazed next will, I believe, be better pots than those I show you below. Here are some of the gourd forms I have kept. You too could have a collection like this. You just have to start buying them one at a time!
A few more...
Here are some of my 2001 Wisterias that NOBODY wanted. I was shocked that nobody- save one couple- bought one of these in the course of fours days. Well, I brought my babies home and here is where they sit. Glad to have 'em. I'll keep them for my retirement. HA!
More pots....
