Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A few mugs ... or tankards



Doug Fitch in Devonshire wanted to see some of what he called "tankards" that were in my last firing, so here they are. I usually make pretty simple mugs, though it varies from session to session. Lately, I've been making simple cylinders, with the sides tending inward toward the top, tankard-like. And I've also been leaving the throwing rings on many of my mugs and teabowls. Just a temporary thing, probably. But I like the way the rings catch the ash glaze and slow it down a bit. And I like to show the throwing process sometimes.
I use temmoku a lot, a recipe called "Hamada Temmoku," shared with me by Falmouth potter and landscaper Angela Rose. And I often dip the rims in a Pete Pinnell copper red so that the red blends and runs subtly down the side of the temmoku. I pour my ash glaze over my shinos sometimes. The ash glaze is Phil Rogers's "Standard Ash," with a bit more Grolleg to stiffen it up a bit. It's all rather random.
Oh, and I usually cut the rims of the cylinders after the first pull, creating a bit of an up-and-down rim that matches up well with the asymmetrical rest of the pot.

9 comments:

doug Fitch said...

Thank you Hollis, really like their softeness. Interesting to hear your comment about the glaze catching on the rings, it's a property of the slips that I like to play with too. Very nice indeed sir

Hollis Engley said...

Thanks, Doug. Everything is a work in progress ...

Dan Finnegan said...

Hollis, did the thought police get to you?!Where'd your last post go?

Hollis Engley said...

Ummmm ... you think I ought to put it back? I mean, this is a family blog, after all. Or should I have an adults-only section?

Dan Finnegan said...

It was a bit on the edge...I'm glad I got a peek.

Hollis Engley said...

Yeah, well ... one of my many marketing directors (I seem to have dozens, some of whom you've met) gave me a bit of a caution on it. And she was the one who sent me the thing in the first place. I still think it's funny, though perhaps the image it conjures is not fit for a general audience. I'll go back to pots, I think.

LOSTBARREL said...

Terrific stuff Hollis. Your forms and glazes are just great.I haven't thrown a pot in twenty years, but I love Japanese ceramics. Used to love firing raku at the Museum School. Will try to get down your way to see your work in person. I am a professional brewer, currently developing a brewpub. Our "mug club" hopes to offer a premium membership with hand-made pottery mugs, and we would love to work with you on that, just love your stuff. Cheers, Scott (www.brewerepublic.com)

Perun Pottery said...

I am so happy I bumped into your blog/site/thang.. Tonight's the first night I'm firing with Hamada Temmoku and I needed some confidence. Yay. I look forward to stopping by again to read all about your pots.

Dana in Salem CT

Paul Jessop said...

These Mugs are great I love every thing about them, I need to put more into my mugs for sure.
thanks for the great pictures.