The Beginning of a Bowl





Starting with one pound of clay.

Squeezing water onto spinning clay to moisten.

Beginning to center

Coning down

Centered

Starting the hole for the opening.

Enlarging

Almost there, ready to begin pulling.

After a few pulls.

Sorry there are no pulling photos. I have to have two hands to do it.

The finished shape.

Inverted on wheel at leather hard stage waiting to be recentered.

After recentering, the bowl is attached to the wheel with wet clay.

Beginning to form the foot ring.

After trimming.

Greenware waiting to dry before going into the kiln.

Finally a picture of the finished plate. It went through a harrowing ordeal to get to its final destination. On the two hour trip the road vibrations caused a near undetectable crack to become a horrendous break. It broke completely in two. I was able to put it back together with glue. Not the finest day for me. However when it is in its intended place about eight feet off the floor, the break is only noticeable to those looking for it, like my father in law.

These are some finished pieces that are in use in my home.

I came across an advertisement for a garlic roaster that could be used in the oven or microwave. The first is my take on it and the second is one using the dimensions given in the ad. It seems just too big for the average garlic bulb. Maybe if you had access to elephant garlic it would work wonderfully. Right now I think it would be nice for roasting a Cornish hen.

After much debate on this piece, I think it would be best described as an urn. Once it is glazed, the lid will sit more securely on the shoulder.

This is my first attempt at a low cake plate/stand. It is unglazed wheat stone. I really like the rustic feeling. I just can't bring myself to put a glaze on it.

I'm still alive....

In my hiatus, I took stock in my work and what direction I wanted to take in the new year. Lots of things happened along the way. The two most interesting are that I was accepted into Panoply for 2011 and some guy in Minnesota has taken my moniker as his website this year. I am overjoyed with the first and highly annoyed with the second.

More to come after the new year has arrived.

Merry Christmas and God's blessings upon you all!

The Plate

I have been working on a large plate for my SIL to go on top of her entertainment center. Her living room is two stories and she wanted a very large plate to go in the space. My first attempts were disastrous. Rolling out such a large piece of clay with a rolling pin proved fatal as the plate ended up in pieces as it cracked while air drying.

I made a bat. I had to remove the splash pan and stand to throw. It was HARD to do. I had no leverage as I usually use my hip to anchor my elbow while centering. But after lots of diligence and a sprained finger, I made it.

I added some texture using bits of hardware like screw heads

and sheet rock sand paper.

Hopefully it will make it through the bisque firing. I am worried about air bubbles.

I don't believe I will throw anything this large again. However, I have all kinds of ideas for textured plates. I am now on the search for an object to make a mold from. Something with a smooth bottom and a lip of an inch at least with a diameter of around 26 inches would be the optimum thing. Any ideas?