Holly Walker: Red-Handed Ponderings

Pete Scherzer form, work in progress

Joe Pintz form,
work in progress

The thought I have kept in my head while working on the Red-Handed project is, “How can this be more than branding - my brand on your brand?” I pulled out all of my own test tiles with glazes over white slip, which is what I’m receiving - forms covered in white slip.  I’m used to a much richer palette of working over multi-colored slips.  Though it looks like a lot of test tile colors, I’m missing some of my basic hues.  Maybe this is good to be more limited.  The unfamiliar forms are requiring much more scrutinizing than I imagined. 

I have felt completely at home with Joe’s forms- strong, simply articulated, a sense of massiveness despite their actual size and weight.  They are the entry point into this new territory of glazing other’s pots as they feel like kin.  Then there is what I am calling Pete’s bobble tray.  It immediately called out for some chartreuse as I unwrapped it.  

Ursula Hargens form, works in progress

Ursula’s cups are so beautifully articulated that I’m almost afraid to cover them.  Gem-like is what I decided.  It will be interesting to compare how differently her sense of floral intricacy and vivaciousness will contrast with my sense of unabashed color wash. How to keep a light hand to not cover her sensitive form decisions is my challenge.

A number of potters make petal-like plates, myself included.  Jason’s cut petal edge plate has a handsome crispness with texture remaining on the bare edge.  I’ve been thinking that something Islamic-like is called for, maybe masked in areas, hiding the patterning in places.

Jason Bige Burnett form, work in progress

Did I mention how hard this is?  Maybe my next adventure will be with just black and white glazes.

- Holly Walker