Thoughts on Pots — River Otter Pottery

The firing is done, and this soft brown pod vase is a complete winner for me. If I can just duplicate the tiny crystals and subtle color movement , I'll be thrilled! The pitcher, too, had some juicy glaze effects. Next firing I'll try to get this result over the whole pot. The lobed vase with three openings was fired twice, but that's OK, if I can get these results that way. Last, I've tacked on a couple of other near misses, as they have some potential. Glazing can be such a challenge, but when it works, there's no bigger thrill.

This is one of the few pots I've been completely happy with. (Picky, picky.) — This is one of the few pots I've been completely happy with.
(Picky, picky.)

With luck, the next pitcher with these glazes will have a broader sweep of the pastel, crystal-covered drape.

This pot has the same as the taller vase, and has also been fired twice.  Here I got lot of bubbling, unlike the other vase.  As sometimes these glazes work so well together, it's worth working toward consistancy for this combination.&nbsp… — This pot has the same as the taller vase, and has also been fired twice. Here I got lot of bubbling, unlike the other vase. As sometimes these glazes work so well together, it's worth working toward consistancy for this combination. Frustrating, but a challenge I'll willingly take on.

A bit gnarly, but the form has some promise.

During my work and play with clay, sometimes I run into a snag, either technical or artistic. There are times, too, when I want to dance with delight when a new effort works particularly well. Here will be the place where I let loose a little.

Today is the day for new work. These pieces are the result of my current Journey Workshop efforts, an intensive year-long study under the encouraging eye of potter and teacher extraordinaire, Steven Hill. There are others, too, but these are the ones I think are the most successful. I'm struggling with the glazing process at the moment, so these pots are currently just bisqued. I've been testing new combinations of existing glazes, completely new colors, and different application techniques for them; as these newer pots are focused more intensely on form, simplifying glazes seems to be an appropriate direction to take. Staying with the tried and true is very tempting, but taking chances can lead to unexpected joy. When this firing is complete, I'll let you know whether or not the kiln gods are smiling on my work.