Quicker than expected, the Potter is live! Below is a link and also Chapter 1 :)
CHAPTER
1
RIGHT. Clay chosen. Earthenware this time because
it means my kiln fire doesn’t need to be as hot. I’m hoping less heat equals
more success. Sure, the end product is not as durable, but hey, I’m reaching
for something else here.
Wheel is
spinning. Check. Tools to hand. Check.
Sparing a
glance for the shattered remains of recent attempts that went, well, wrong, I
toss the wedged piece of clay upon the wheel, and lean in. Didn’t allow the
others to dry long enough before firing, I muse for the umpteenth time. Or
maybe air remained in the clay, which means I didn’t wedge as well as I know
how to … argh, stop it. deflecting with excuses doesn’t help. Focus on this new
project.
Gradually the
planter I have in mind takes shape, the walls assuming a quarter of an inch
thickness. The latter is all about feel, not measurement. One eventually
‘feels’ when the optimum breadth is reached. Takes much trial and error to attain
that kind of instinct, though, but once you know, you know. I grunt my
amusement. Sometimes the chatterbox is in overdrive while leaning over the
wheel. It’s not always zen, trust me.
Lately nothing
in my life has been zen.
Focus.
As the wheel
ceases its spin, I study the ovoid vessel I have created. Smooth, with textured
lines at intervals. When the clay has hardened somewhat, I’ll engrave the
design I have in mind to wrap around it.
Deflating
puffed cheeks, I acknowledge that creating a few more this day doesn’t sit
right. This one is a test, I feel it in my bones, so best not hedge bets now in
making others. Right? Too right. Time to walk away with fingers crossed.
So far, all is
as it should be … and so had the others been at this point. All the others will
go just great as well, I know already, for I’ve been creating vessels for years
now and am more than comfortable in my chosen craft. It’s the firing that has
become the issue, and I won’t know how this one performs until it’s dry. Given
the inclement weather, with the promise of a proper unleashing within hours, that
may be weeks away. Only then dare I offer it to the god of fire in my blackened
brick oven out back.
Seven vessels
are currently ready for the furnace, and four more will be in a few days, but
as I’m low on sawdust at the moment, I can walk away this day.
Right. I do
exactly that.
Can’t believe
how relieved I feel.
No comments:
Post a Comment