Birds. Planning.

This is a fan shaped dish with a bridge handle from the early 17th century Japan. Mino ware.

I've got it up here to show where I got the idea for my birds from originally.

Mine are different, but I guess you can see the similarities.
Planning.
I am trying to approach the decorating process with some structure but still have it be spontaneous and quick. Today for instance I had a board of cups to draw on. I sat down and tried to get my mind quiet and be in the moment. (That meant getting Karma out of the shop for awhile). I picked up the cups and looked at them. I studied the slip pours and the marks on the cup. I thought, "what would work on here?" Then I'd quickly do a little sketch of my subject in my journal. I might have to do 3 or 4. I wasn't drawing the cup. Just the bird or fish or dog or whatever. Once I had that, I did a little rough in with pencil on the cup, and then worked over that with my incising tool. I try not to think too much and to let the tool have it's say in the mark making. I like to get it done quickly too.

My hope is that this will lead to more confidence in the drawing and less fear about screwing up. It will also probably eliminate me from putting things in weird places on the pot or just generally sabotaging myself. Better composition will result. I hope.

I didn't take any pics of those cups and they are already in the kiln, but I'll get some images of the process up later on. I just wanted to share what I'm doing and that it's helping.

I'm still here folks

Hello, Yes I am still here. Sorry for the long time between posts. Much work in the yard over the holiday weekend and then into the week still. I am working on pots for the upcoming Circle of Eight Sale which is on the 20th of this month. I have yet to work out my creme glaze issue but will have to do a glaze firing soon. For now I am making lots of plates, bowls, jars and mugs. Today I will make a couple teapots and ....well I don't know I'll have to look at my list, bakers I think.

I've had my Oribe book out and have been doing lots of drawing in my sketch book. It's making its way onto the pots and I'm having some small breakthroughs and ideas. Still to be refined but none the less progress. Now if I can get my glazes worked out and figure out a way to introduce a bit of color here and there I will be rocking. Oh miles to go , but seeing it in my head, or beginning to, is a start.

I've spent a good part of the morning having tea and reading all about Andrew's adventure at Nic Collin's kiln building and firing retreat. Andrew is making some fine pots. There's even some slipware there that was fired at Doug's. Check it all out here.