Handbuilt Pottery for Now...

Handbuilding is what appeals to me now. I make two styles of handbuilt objects. One is cylindrical and organic in design, like the image shown here; the other is more architectural and/or sculptural -- typically having four unequal sides.

Some examples of my work follow. Whether future pieces bear any resemblance to these examples is anybody's guess. I have to confess that I don't decide these things.

I have received some incredible critiques from accomplished Artists and potters via these postings. Not all of them are shown here. Some have been emailed directly to me. Some have been a bit painful to read, but I have learned much from them. I read and ponder every suggestion. Clayart potters, especially, have been more helpful than I can ever acknowledge. You know who you are. Thank you.

I hope you will continue to comment.

A cylindrical organic form that started life intending to become a garden lamp. Now I think it might be a wind bell -- or, maybe just an object. Most of what I have done came into this world intending to be a functional piece. Later, all show a stronger desire to just be what they are without any kind of preconcieved assignment.

This is another cylindrical organic form constructed of a brick-red stoneware clay, partially glazed with "antique green" at ^6.

The last examples of the cylindrical form. The stoneware in the upper image contains dominant manganese speckles that bled through the turquoise glaze. The other cylinder is a ^6 terra cotta with Ron and John's "Variagated Blue" glaze poured on.

Now, on to what I find to be most exciting -- the more sculptural pieces. Here's the first of two:

This began life as an exercise in slab building. Eventually it reached the point where it took on its own life, and dictated what it would finally become.

Here's the last example of this posting. Can't wait to see what comes next... FP