Well Traveled Wares

Behind the scenes of “making content.”
Trying to capture the steps of the process on pieces that can take months to be glazed and fired to completion. Since moving to Portugal, my pace has slowed. In part, because I am experimenting. Testing textures and glazes. New shapes and sizes.
And despite spending tons of time in the studio, I don’t have time to produce and execute all of the ideas. Teaching and running open studios has been a new experience for me. I am learning so much, as I try to articulate years of experience that are largely muscle memory. Having to think about why I do things and how to teach others those things, has been a delightful challenge.
So I am searching for a new creative balance here.
Also rhe light in the studio this morning was just right for playing with light and shadows. And the flowers in our garden are popping off! Process video on this big beauty, coming soon. ❤️

Making a design come to life in clay is a bit of a long game. I spend a long time thinking before beginning any new idea, and quite often my first attempt is more of a sketch to work out the process. Often times the first try fails, but I always learn how to do better the next time.
So what’s wrong with this pot? I threw the bottom too thin for what I was trying to do here, but that wasn’t evident to me until I was pretty far along in the carving.
I had also never completely carved the windows out before, which I quickly realized would nullify the hidden drainage of the double walled pot if I carved the lower windows too. Oops! So I adjusted and only carved the top windows.
I was also testing some new to me underglazes, and while I did some small tests, I wasn’t sure how they would all work together. This “risk” was totally worth it as they worked perfectly together. But as the pot was drying a giant crack developed around 2/3 of the base and I worried that patching and firing would only make the crack grow larger.
I decided to fire it anyway and much to my surprise, the patch kept the crack from growing larger, even in the second firing for glaze. I debated whether I wanted to risk firing a third time to add the mother of pearl and gold lusters, but I am so happy I did!
And while it’s not functional in the way I had hoped, all these little mistakes have taught me how to make the next one better. And I am working on a strategy to add lights and keep the drainage (and water) separate so we can have a hanging lighted planter, because … more is more!
The morale of the story: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Especially with clay!

This May has been so full in our little studio! We have had three guest artists come to visit: from Norway and and from England. Plus my wonderful local students and studio members all learning and growing, and making beautiful things.
Plus we had beach time and pool time and a few truck loads of giant rocks delivered! And lots of doggy love for everyone. Life is good and I am so excited to see what the rest of the summer brings!
Teaser- we have a new guest artists retreat just added for September too! More on that soon. 😉