Making an oval pot - A potters tale

[snobird]

Hi Paul
Excellent, excellent thread. I also love ash glazes because it has a very earthy quality to me to match the clay element. It is also nice to mix up an ash glaze to see what comes out of it.To be honest, I only made one mix before from the ashes of a climbing rose whose dead skeleton I trimmed down and burned. This gave me a very nice lightly speckled, light, brown glaze that I loved. The most exciting moment is to see what happened after you open the kiln door. I hope your posts convince people why potters ask the prices they do for handmade pots.

 

[pjkatich]

The finished pots are superb. You seriously need to consider building a website and going pro. You work is on par with the best in the biz (actually it exceeds)

Dave,

Thanks for the positive feedback. I appreciate your kind, and encouraging words.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Paul,
Those are both very excellent pots. I have really enjoyed following the process.

Yamadori,

Thanks for the positive feedback. I am glad you enjoyed the show.

Will you do this again for some other pots?

I do not have any plans for a repeat at this point in time. However, if there is enough interest I would consider doing it again.

Best wishes,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Hi Paul
Excellent, excellent thread. I also love ash glazes because it has a very earthy quality to me to match the clay element. It is also nice to mix up an ash glaze to see what comes out of it.To be honest, I only made one mix before from the ashes of a climbing rose whose dead skeleton I trimmed down and burned. This gave me a very nice lightly speckled, light, brown glaze that I loved. The most exciting moment is to see what happened after you open the kiln door. I hope your posts convince people why potters ask the prices they do for handmade pots.

snobird,

Thank you for the positive feedback.

I assume from your reply that you are a potter. Do you make bonsai pots? If so, maybe you could share a few with us.

Ash glazes are interesting, I have been working with them for about a year now. I produce my own ash from local hardwoods and have enjoyed the testing process very much.

I fully agree with your statement about opening the kiln after each firing. Will it be the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat - you just never can be sure.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Yamadori]

Yamadori,


I do not have any plans for a repeat at this point in time. However, if there is enough interest I would consider doing it again.

Best wishes,
Paul

I would love to see a thread on a slab build, a scoop, or a cascade pot. I don't have wheel access or wheel skills but I do have access to two different kilns that will high fire for me. If I could learn to do pots that don't require a wheel I would give it a try.

 

[snobird]

Hi Paul
Used to make pots but not a great potter. I've been living in Canada for the last 3 years and the community college here in our small city has open sessions where one can make one's own pottery. After all the settling in I can move forward again. I'm more a kind of moldmaker/slipcaster and work with templates. maybe one day I'll do a series on that. In Chicago's Art museum I saw some ancient Chinese vessels that were made by marbling different colored claybodies. Maybe someone should try that for bonsaipots as well.

 

[pjkatich]

I would love to see a thread on a slab build, a scoop, or a cascade pot.

Yes, I also would enjoy seeing a thread on any one of these subjects.

There are several very good potters who frequent this website that make great slab build pots. Maybe one of them would be interested?

I don't have wheel access or wheel skills but I do have access to two different kilns that will high fire for me. If I could learn to do pots that don't require a wheel I would give it a try.

Maybe there is a community center or college in your area that offers a ceramics program. Might be worth a look.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

I'm more a kind of moldmaker/slipcaster and work with templates. maybe one day I'll do a series on that.

This is a great idea and I would encourage you to give it a try. I would be interested in seeing this process shown from start to finish.

In Chicago's Art museum I saw some ancient Chinese vessels that were made by marbling different colored claybodies. Maybe someone should try that for bonsaipots as well.

I've seen a few very interesting functional pots done is this manner. Might work well for an unglazed pot it the right clay colors were used.

Regards,
Paul

 

[ketoi]

0001a looks great (1s pott), love the earthy tones.

Nice job Paul!!

So what's next?

 

[bonsaibiker]

Paul, Thanks again for taking the time and effort to put together this first class tutorial. I like your attention to detail and your craftsmanship is top notch. Happy potting!

 

[pjkatich]

0001a looks great (1s pott), love the earthy tones. Nice job Paul!!

ketio,

Thanks, I appreciate your feedback and your participation.

So what's next?

A break.

Regards,
Paul

 

[pjkatich]

Paul, Thanks again for taking the time and effort to put together this first class tutorial. I like your attention to detail and your craftsmanship is top notch. Happy potting!

bonsaibiker,

You are most welcome.

Thank you for the kind words.

Regards,
Paul