My pots are functional and made entirely from local materials. I dig and collect several local clays and rock dusts which are blended to make two clay bodies, one darker than the other. The pots are thrown on kick wheels, and are raw-glazed using a single firing process. The glazes are applied at leatherhard and are entirely made up from local rock dusts, plant ashes, and clays. Pots are then fired for 18 to 20 hours in a 100 cu ft woodfired kiln to cone 10 flat, 1300 deg C.
Why make pots this way? I am not really sure why I do. It is a lot more work and usually there are more losses, but when I open the kiln and there are some pots that I am really pleased with, I am amazed that these can be of entirely local materials.
English potter Richard Batterham, said that the art in pots starts with the clay, implying that the art comes from the process as well as the potters intent. I strive for my pots to reflect their local character, the processes that made them, and hopefully their beauty in day to day use.
Cheers John
