|
The
Artist: Judy Isaak
I used to say "I'm just the
machine and if I don't move the clay will" but I'm starting to realize
that "art" happens when you get past the act of making, and get
to the creative, original, thought processes. Sometimes years after
learning a technique! I prefer throwing or "turning" most of the
pottery I make and raku as much as possible. However functional work comes
a close second and I strive to make functional pieces “art” but most of all
they must function in today’s world. I enjoy the juxtaposition of the
ancient or traditional to the non-traditional ways of working. Face jugs
that have been rakued, tattoo patterns carved into a fine white stoneware
vase, red in many unexpected places!
Raku is an ancient Japanese method of
firing pottery originally used in tea ceremonies. Today we do the glaze
firing in a kiln usually outdoors, bring the pottery up to about 1800 F.
and then remove it from the kiln with long handled tongs and place it in a
metal can with combustible material. The resulting glazed surfaces are
often metallic or iridescent, crackled and vibrant. Horsehair pottery is
heated up in a raku kiln but instead of processing in combustibles, horse
hair or feathers are touched to the surface of the hot pot. A carbon mark
is left by the burning hair or feather. Often I use glaze on the inside or
outside of the pot for decoration and strength.
I do some hand building as well when I
make nativity sets, choir girls, and pendants and fish.
Pottery can be found in my studio at
Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, GA,
at the Spruill Gallery in Atlanta, GA.
and in Carisma Gallery at #15 E. Main St. in Buford. Visit often and you will begin to
notice what's new at Tannery Row!
|
