Lately I have been dealing with some orthopedic issues, and I'm finally getting back
into the groove of things in the studio. This week I have been making pitchers, bowls, and cups decorated with hakeme slip, and painted with our lollipop design. We have been working
on some new altered forms for our upcoming show in September. We also have several other glaze patterns that we've got going. I will post some pics of those from the next firing.
Out of all the patterns I tend to get into more of a groove with the lollipop. I guess that comes from working with slips, and the immediacy of this type of application. To tell you the truth I really feel like sticking them into a salt kiln when they are done, but that is kind of difficult at this time considering there is no salt kiln... yet. Oh well, we always need to be humble when planning the future.
Over the past few months I have had some time to reflect on how as potters we need to look at the way we work everyday, and is there anything that we can implement in our studio's that will help us to work longer without putting more strain on our bodies. I have come to the realization that is is better to work smarter- not harder. I am feeling more like the tortoise than the hare (if you know what I mean). Slow and steady wins the race. I think a tortoise can still get into a groove, but i don't think Banjo is buying it - do you!!
Banjo
The last few days I have been making these pitchers and tumblers. I always love seeing them in this state because everything is not set yet by the firing and in the back of your mind you still think that you may could have finished them better and if you want to you still may have time to do just that. The thing about working with slips that gets me is that it keeps indecisive people like myself real, if you know what I mean. When you start the process of slip decorating, it is started however good or bad it may be perceived to be. I kind of look at decorating like looking at life if you don't make your mark and go all in then you can't make all the gains with your work that you would have never made just setting on the edge of the pool with your feet in the water. So here is to getting our head wet and enjoying what we do.
I have also been trying my hand at making a larger pot. It has been quite a while since I have attempted this type of work. It is made with coils of clay. Then it is paddled and as each coil is added the coil is thrown and smoothed. Then it is dried using a torch and the whole process starts again, until you are done. It has been a blast working with the clay this way but there is a down side to all this work and that is when you have to look into Banjo's eyes because we haven't been able to throw the ball to much lately. We like to refer to this as 
Banjo's Lament.
