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One of the techniques for surface treatment is called burnishing.
Burnishing on clay objects was used in almost all of the cultures in the past.
With this technique, the clay surface is given an attractive gloss or soft sheen. The result of the work is often warm in texture, and irresistibly sensuous.
I often get two extreme reactions when I ask students to practice with this technique; one is "I can't stop burnishing!", and the other is begging not to do it again.
Burnishing is actually a very good tool for taking me to another state of mind.
It demands very little physical movement, but requires a quiet mind, and relaxed spirit.
Once I am in the rhythm of movement, I experience a mental space, that is different from any other places that clay has taken me to.
Does that sound funny?
Well, it could be. But, any one can experience it if we do not think of it as pure physical labor.
It was almost a year ago, when we did our last saggar/smoke firing.
I should have taken more pictures on the process which was quite fun and rewarding.
We shall do it again soon.
In 1996 when I went to my boyfriend's house for dinner for the first time, I was delighted by the dishes he used, but had an interesting feeling about the dinner ware of his choice. It was blue greenish, somewhat similar to the theme color used by Tiffany & Co. Specifically, I was uncomfortable with the color of the dinner plates. That color reminded me of the same color as a cold medicine I often took when I was a kid. Therefore, it brought back a memory of bitter taste.
After so many years, I am still using the same dinner plates, because I am now married to the man, Mr. Kajima who owns those plates.
I suspect they are the imitation of the Ringware line of theBauer Pottery.
Many years ago, I visited the Laguna Vintage American Pottery Shop in Seattle. That was when I saw the original copy of the plates. Ringwares are with concentric circles which can be easily mass produced and sold inexpensively. This line was introduced after the Depression, and was a success.
These ringwares are stonewares which are durable for everyday usage. The form is simple with pure functionality which are the characters of American ware.
After the owner of the Bauer pottery passed away, Frederick Hurten Rhead, the designer of the Ringware line produced another similar line of pottery, the Fiesta dinnerware which is in art deco
styling with bold, bright colors.
Seeing these originals, they remind me of the colorful sky of Southwestern states.
Last week I went to the Laguna Vintage American Pottery Shop with guests, and was so delighted to see the colorful Bauer Pottery again.
Perhaps I am just preparing myself to go through the upcoming depressing weather of Seattle!
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