I've finally got my hands on some clay this week and got to meet some lovely folks from the clay studio. Everything feels different though - materials and textures, touches and smells. I'm not used to throwing when my hands are cold, and the water is always cold here. The clay can manage so much more water before collapsing than back home. The techniques for centering clay are different from what I normally do and demand different muscle memories. Everything is organised, operated on a larger scale, and the people are warm.
I knew I'd be a bit stuck for ideas when I first start making things in the studio, so I just started to list the things that I actually need for the house. Like my own mug and a big ramen bowl. I started on the mug(s) in this gorgeous caramel dark stoneware that will fire into a rich rusty brown colour.
I had this shape in my head that I couldn't quite place. I wanted a slight belly with an elegant flared lip, but with all rounded shapes you have to take your time to find that sweet spot in the form, every slight angle and curve can alter the form entirely.
