Sunday, September 20, 2009

In the Zone

by Eleanor Hendriks

*quickly sweeping dust off my blog before beginning to type...*

I had a rare treat yesterday -8 hours straight in the studio without interruption and with most of my list of things that needed desperately to be done checked off.

So I spent the time putting handles on 14 jars that had been waiting quietly under plastic for almost a week. Rather than whip out a batch of ordinary knobs on the wheel, I decided to go all out and turn the top of each jar into a little wonderland

I started off with the chunkier jars and went for a basic woodland look...
Then the knobby bits started to have a more refined shape...
By the time I got the to jars with more dainty shapes the tops had become more elegant as well...

Until, completely in the zone where time doesn't exist, all chairs are comfortable and blaring radios are whispers in the distance, I finished the last two jars with the best finials and most delicate textures yet...
These two are my favourites by far...
I wonder if could have made them without the 12 that went before? Of course, now that I've done them once, I can explore the themes I've created here on other forms.

The first thing that I'll do is make some larger jars to take these themes further on -it will be almost impossible to ask the price that the amount of time spent on these small jars requires -and I haven't even glazed them yet -which I'm sure will be just as time consuming given the directions my fiddly little brain is going as I imagine how these might look finished.

Of course I'm ignoring the downer in the back of my head that is warning me not to get too attached in case one of my attacks of clumsiness takes out the whole collection...

In the meanwhile, all the regular stuff has been going on in the studio as well. Two good kiln loads lately means that there should be a flurry of new listings in my Etsy shop in the near future.

And for local people, the Victoria County StudioTour is coming up next weekend and the weekend after. Visit the many artist's studios in the area and if you drop by my studio and tell me that you read about the tour on my blog I will give you Elan Dollars good for pottery in my studio...



Oh and I will have homemade Lemon Pound Cake -it is to die for and I really shouldn't eat it all by myself...

15 comments:

Mudgoddess said...

These are fantastic, phenomenal. Can't wait to see them finished!!

Judith Frederick said...

Really nice work!

maidofclay said...

Very cool, Eleanor. These are going to fly out of your Etsy store.

Amy Hunt Callahan said...

Wow! Those are gorgeous! I am in awe, especially of the last two. Fantastic work.

Cindy Powers said...

They are beauties. I just love seeing the progression in the forms. Can't wait to see the finished work. Have nice to have an uninterupted day.

Madmud said...

Wow, Eleanor, these are beautiful even in their raw state. I love seeing their development. You accomplished a lot in one day! Look forward to the glaze progression.

Laura said...

Wow really nice!

JDWolfe said...

How big are these jars? Curious what you would think you need to charge for them, too. You never know, if the glaze turns out as wonderful I wouldn't worry about size so much when you figure out price.

Graciela Testa Lynt said...

Very cool! How wonderful to have a big chunk of time to devote to these!

Dancing Dolphin Pottery Studio - Home of Crop Circle Clay - Ceramic Creations by Diana Brower in Ohio USA said...

Eleanor, I love your art and the way you describe your creative process...refining and improving along the way. It's so true! Can't wait to see them glazed, but love to see them this way too. Thanks for sharing! Diana

Gina said...

What a fun post - such an enjoyable read. And of course great pots! I look forward to seeing them glazed, although green is such a perfect state!

The Barefoot Potteress said...

lovely jars. these are so wonderful. i was hard put to come up w/something that looked like a frog yesterday when i was finishing something i've been working on. i can't wait to see them glazed. will you post something on the emt forum when you do please? :D

regards

Linda Starr said...

Hi Eleanor, I felt my own feelings about making pieces in the studio coming to the forefront as you were describing how you went a bit further with each one of these pieces. This is oh so true, all of them are lovely and I would love each and every one, can't wait to see how you glaze them. Working in clay is sometimes a labor of love and art that's for sure - especially with these beautiful jewels you have created.

Julie said...

Nice - it's great to see how the idea developed!

Unknown said...

I love seeing the evolution of those fantastic knobs.
Eight whole uninterrupted hours in the studio? Jealous!

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