Jan Mckeachie Johnston
Simon Levin
Shoji Hamada 
Ruggles & RankinI have been working on making some slab hump/drape mold plates and platters. I like the idea of slab plates for several reasons. First off, they are different from anything else that I am currently making. They also offer lots of variety in surface decoration and texture techniques, like Simon's wadding resist or Ruggles and Rankin's brushwork. I learned a while ago that making molds and pots from molds is not easy; however, Once you have made a good mold it is a relatively easy process to produce multiple good pot's.
It is frustrating to me that the thought of using molds takes away from the idea of handmade pot's. I know this is many peoples first reaction to the idea because it used to be mine. The word mold has a negative connotation for whatever reason. I think that making pots from molds, when done well, is just as valid of a process as throwing. It is definitely not easy and deserves better recognition.
I am very excited about the new possibilities that this opens up and I will post some pictures of my interpretations of these great pots shortly. And if all goes well they will eventually wind up on my Etsy page.
What is your opinion of pots made from molds?
did the simon levin one turn out like that because he had some wadding or something on it? or is that just kiln placement? or just crazy glazing...
ReplyDeleteThere was a big wad were the orange circle is. If you leave the wad more of a ball, as opposed to squishing it flat against the pot it helps to create the different colors and more of a fade than an abrupt line. Simon also fires for 6 days so that helps with the flashing as well.
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