Throwing Large...For Me Anyway
After several days of fog and rain my head was in a fog and my spirits in a slump. I've been working, I've got too much happening now and in the spring to not be working but my heart hasn't really been into it. Then Janet said "try something different, something outside of your comfort zone." I have been wanting to do something large. I've read a few articles on throwing large and have seen some demos, I figured it's time. Of course I'm not ready to throw a 25 pound bowl or anything quite that big just yet but I did feel like I should try making something closer to 10 or 12 pounds. I also wanted to do something in multiple parts. I wanted the process of a project that could not be done very quickly.So I grabbed my copy of Pottery Making Illustrated and set off to make a large (for me) pot.
I did not use as much clay as they recommend in the article. Starting small would be fine for my large pot. I did throw two pieces and then connected them together and threw and shaped them further. I did have some difficulty pulling a lot of clay off of the bottom, it was going to have to be trimmed away. I don't like that but I do have to remember that it's my first pot of this size. I have to be kind to myself.
The pot needed to set up to leather hard (except the top) before I could put the neck onto it and it was late so I called it a day. Because of the rain it still wasn't ready when I went back to the studio so I threw some vases for the next raku firing and then threw another pot that's going to have a foot and a neck attached.
Yes, I'm getting the throw it big bug. I've started to dream about 25 pound bowls and jugs. Of course I have to wonder how I'm going to transport these to shows.
Check out the gallery page - Future Relics Gallery
I did not use as much clay as they recommend in the article. Starting small would be fine for my large pot. I did throw two pieces and then connected them together and threw and shaped them further. I did have some difficulty pulling a lot of clay off of the bottom, it was going to have to be trimmed away. I don't like that but I do have to remember that it's my first pot of this size. I have to be kind to myself.
The pot needed to set up to leather hard (except the top) before I could put the neck onto it and it was late so I called it a day. Because of the rain it still wasn't ready when I went back to the studio so I threw some vases for the next raku firing and then threw another pot that's going to have a foot and a neck attached.
You should move to NC, everyone around here seems to have the throw it big bug! Very pretty shape. When I went to Penland, I was determined to leave there being able to throw 10-12 lbs. I did it, but it rained there every day and it was so hard to get the clay moisture at the right place for my pieces to survive. I used the torch a lot. I like Janet's idea of stepping outside your comfort zone when a funk is upon you, good idea!
ReplyDeleteTracey, I would love to move to NC but I'm not ready to break my ties here just yet. Penland is in a rain forest, I've always had difficulty getting the drying schedule right when I'm there. I've lost so many pieces to over or under drying. Here I use my heat gun, it's right next to the wheel.
DeleteLooks good, especially for a the first one. I've only thrown a few big pots and have been wanting to do more, but my last batch of clay is really wet. Maybe the next batch will be more condusive to throwing big (or at least not stick to the wedging table)
ReplyDeleteWhat's next??
Thanks Sue, The pictures are both of the same pot, just with and without the neck.
DeleteGood luck getting your clay to the correct consistency.
What's next is a good question. I 'm just thinking about how to glaze this one now.
Looks great and so smooth; I admire anyone who can throw a small pot which I doubt I could do now. The shape of your pot with the neck and lip almost reminds me of one of those large olive jars from Italy.
ReplyDeleteLinda, the Italian olive jar was my inspiration, I just love the form. It's funny because I am also making little, tiny covered jars for essential oils or incense burners. They are about 1.5" tall, very different than this pot.
DeleteYou'll have to post a photo of the little pot next to the big pot after they are fired, might be kind of cool.
DeleteThat's a great idea, Linda.
Delete