The Oval, revisited.

I mentioned in my last post that I was feeling good about the clay again. I figured I better post some photos to back up the words. These ovals are a little smaller than the ones I usually make. The stamped pieces in the foreground will get some slip applied for mishima technique. Once the slip has dried I will scrape it off to reveal the pattern below.

A few of the ovals got the ginkgo pattern. I am doing it a little different this time, placing a few leaves within panels. There is white slip in the panel, but it's hard to see in this light. My glaze plan is sprayed ash, foregoing the usual green and shino. I have been really digging the brown lately. The interiors might be lined with shino. I will make that decision later.

My work this week is a good jumping off point to get more creative in between making pigs. Today it's back to the pigs. I am feeling ready for them!

a new to me technique for covered ovals!

I have always struggled with making covers for my oval or even worse, my wavy oval bakers. Jeff came home from the NC Potters Conference with a technique, demonstrated by Martha Grover, that he said would be helpful to me. Jeff did a demo and then I gave it a try on ovals. I decided to just do a few small ones to work the idea through, later I will move to larger and wavy ones.

After throwing my bottomless cylinder with a gallery, I measured the gallery with calipers and threw a ring that would fit inside. After letting them set under plastic overnight I cut them off the bats, placed the ring inside the cylinder, and squeezed the two, simultaneously into the oval shape. I then put the bottom on the cylinder, I typically throw the bottom slabs on the wheel, but sometimes use a rolled out slab.
Next I used a slab to finish the cover...

I plan to slip and carve the tops of these and add some handles.

I experimented with a wavy top. Still needs some more work, not sure where this one is going yet. It could end up in the scrap bucket!
I was impressed at how well the covers fit. When I used the slumping inside the cylinder technique it was always problematic because when you flip the lid over it fits on the container in reverse... really a pain if it's a wavy oval.
We are enjoying mah-valous weather in Seagrove today and I am writing this post from out on the porch - 5:30 pm and 70 degrees!
Jeff took the plastic cover off of our little winter garden and everything looks healthy and green.

Swiss Chard and broccoli along with some garlic... I can't wait to plant tomatoes!

don't forget the plastic wrap...

I think that I hadn't thrown pots in nearly two weeks. We have been in a firing cycle so my days were spent loading kilns and glazing. Late yesterday, after loading the back stack of the gas kiln I decided I needed to get my hands in some wet clay.
I threw the parts to make six oval bakers and my intention was that they would be wavy ovals. In order for them to be wavy, I needed to go out to the studio before bed and throw some plastic over them. At 8:00 am I woke up to that "oh no" feeling, remembering that I never went back out to cover my cylinders.
I ran out to the studio in my pajamas to check on them. Some rims were a little dry... darn. I sprayed them with water and wrapped them in plastic. A short time later they were ready to alter. Only a couple of them could be made wavy. I knew if I pushed my luck with the others the rims would crack.

I finished all six by this evening and they are covered in plastic so they can dry slowly.

Yesterday, while I threw these pots, I was listening to an interview on NPR with the President of High Point University, Dr. Nido Qubein. He was inspiring to listen to. Lately so much of the news is doom and gloom about many things and mostly the economy. I truly believe in positive thinking and that negativity breeds negative outcomes. I heard Dr. Qubein say something and I was compelled to write it down. It's not an exact quote, but enough to get the point across...
When asked what he learned since becoming the President of the University he had a long list of answers, but this one stood out, "I have learned that there is a recession, but it doesn't mean you need to participate."
I like how that ties in to my other favorite quotes from other intelligent and creative people.

Just Work

Follow Your Bliss

I am feeling really good about 2012, I know Jeff and I are off to a great start. Be well friends, and have a good night.