Wednesday, August 12, 2009

It's not like riding a bike!

Nope, not at all. Throwing pots after being away from the wheel for nearly a year is not at all like getting back on a bike. In fact, it is much more like getting back on the horse that threw you. And there is a reason why when you are first learning to throw, you start with 1 pound lumps of clay...not 5 pound. I might add, trimming pots at 4 am in your nighty is not really all that much fun either.

You might well ask, just exactly why is LeAnn doing this? Just before I left for Portland I got notification that I'd been juried into the Fall Studio Tour. I was pretty much over the moon. That is until I got back and realized that I had a scant 3 months to get ready. You see I only have 2 finished barnacle pots for the show. I reckon I need about 40 pots. But not all barnacle pots. These babies can take 4 weeks to make from start to finish. So 4 am is about the coolest time of day in my studio and everyone in my house is asleep then. No need to wake everyone up by turning on lights to get dressed. Besides, that nighty is pretty darned comfy. Spent the whole day in it. OK, enough of the personal details.
Once those pots are trimmed, I get to start on the part that I truly enjoy ....applying about a zillion little pads of clay, stamping them, and poking their centers to make a little crater. The pot gets scored all over then the bottom gets filled in with barnacles. It gets turned right side up and the rim gets embellished with very thin strips of very moist clay. The top barnacles then get filled in.


And voila! Several hours later (I don't keep track of time, the pot is finished. I do really love the embellishment part. It sets up its own rythm and becomes something like a meditation. The work just sort of flows and the pattern emerges.
This pot is all wrapped up for the night so the moisture can equalize. Then it will dry very slowly for the next few days. I finished 3 pots today, so only 37 more to go!

14 comments:

Marcie Abney Carroll said...

Wow. So much work, but absolutely beautiful and sooo worth it. They are going to be beautiful.

sharon said...

LeeeeeAaaaaan! SOOOO much work, I know you truly love what you do! Your explanation makes these all the more beautiful! I really do understand the application of the embellishments, that feeling of placing, building, creating, making art, balance, design......
You are an artist!

The Joy of Nesting said...

Oh LeAnn,

The pots are already amazing, they will be incredible by the time they are finally finished!! Please continue to take us along on the odyssey of the pot's creation!! :) You create such magic I can't wait to watch how you make the magic unfold!

Jeez 40 pots in 3 months! Does that mean the next competitions will be body building :) But seriously LeAnn you can depend on us to be your biggest fan club and most dedicated supporters.!!!!!

With tons of possitive chi headed your way!!
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

SummersStudio said...

Bella, thanks so much. I do really enjoy making these pots.

Sharon,these pots are my little break from production. I'm pretty sure you completely understand that process of letting go and letting the piece emerge. It's a very rewarding experience.

Pattie, I need all the support I can get as I may just have bitten off more than I can chew! Thanks so much! And I'll be sure to keep you all posted on the progress.

Mari said...

The art in those pots are gorgeous!!!

Joella said...

This bowl is lovely:) Thanks for the nice comment and stopping by my blog!

Gardanne said...

Those embellished bowls are beautiful, can't wait to see them glazed.

Silver Parrot said...

Wow - the amount of work you put in is just amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished, glazed pots. Oh, and if you're throwing pots in your nighty - does that mean Patrick Swayze's ghost is standing around you somewhere looking amazing?

lunedreams said...

Even unfired and unglazed they are remarkable. Like an exquisite and stylish sea creature! Can't wait to see the final product!

mairedodd said...

uh, WOW... so incredibly much work! and so incredibly beautiful... that kind of piece could only come from a love of creating it... cannot wait to see it as it moves along through the stages... you are completely up to this and more than deserving in being included... support is available in buckets...

SummersStudio said...

Thanks everyone for your support and kind comments! Kelly, I certainly hope that no ghosts, Patrick Swayze included, are watching me in my nighty.

Barbara Lewis said...

Leann: I remember being in your position. Got the throwing down only to trim through the bottom of half of the pots! Keep on keepin' on!

SummersStudio said...

Hi Barbara. I've trimmed through plenty of bottoms in my day. It's funny for years I did production potting. I'd forgotten how much throwing depends on doing it everyday.

Marie Cramp said...

LeAnn, those are fantastic!! I hope that someday I will be lucky enough to have one of those sitting in my house. Truly fantastic!! Good Luck!