There was a chance this past summer to begin creating ceramic pieces again. I have not touched a wheel for two years so I was really excited to ensure the skills I have been developing over the years were still there, and that I could hone a few more skills. Over time I have given away most of my pieces and this time I decided I was going to keep the pieces and make what I wanted to use every day in my own eating, cooking, drinking and for my own enjoyment.
I was able to take some time to make several functional pieces but there was not enough time before the pottery area was going to be shut down for me to make any complicated items with lids, spouts, and other accoutrements. There was little time to glaze as well and I had to complete all of it in one night, which amounted to about 5 hours of glazing, completed very quickly, without a great deal of forethought for more pieces. Next time I will try to secure more time.
Yes, I made mugs because there aren't enough of them in the world. When I make mugs I try to create interesting shapes, fun handles the size needed to actually get one's hand or fingers in there. Too many uselessly small handles in the world.
A funky twist on a handle.
A geometric addition to a handle.
I am reminded every time I get to the wheel how physically demanding such work is. In fact, in observing friends of mine who complete many different types of art, I am always reminded that they physical literacy that one is demanded to learn in the arts is often as physically demanding as the literacy required for those who participate in sport. As well, art can get just as dirty as European football or rugby on a rainy, wet, muddy day.
A medium size bowl whose circles of shape and glaze I enjoy as my new counter-top fruit bowl.
This is the piece-de-resistance for the summer. A white bowing shape onto which I flicked underglaze of green and black. Several coats of high firing clear glaze and I loved it as soon as I saw it at the bottom of the kiln. As much as one can decorate, plan and co-ordinate a piece of pottery, the kiln always surprises you. In this case, a wonderful surprise.
Over the past few months I have had friends request and attempt to claim several pieces, but I am sticking to my guns for now. I don't have any pieces of pottery in Winnipeg and I am keeping these until I leave....if I leave.
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