Description
I made Tenmei as an urn, jar, or vase, on the potters wheel and I threw a matching lid with flange. For a unique and playful finial, I twist a textured strip of clay into a fluid knot! I approach finials and decorative handles much as I approach brushwork; that is, striving for a fluid, spontaneous motion that captures the energy and honesty of the moment.
And now the pot is ready for surface treatment. Keep it simple.
I make a light passage with white slip over the surface on both sides. Next I take a handmade deer tail brush and black slip…and I pause. I make my marks when the moment seems right, and perhaps something in my subconscious has awakened. The marks are particularly energetic here.
Okay, time to load the wood kiln. It takes us the entire day to load and the next 32-36 hours to reach 2400 degrees F. And that means stoking around the clock. So salt this firing. Natural ash and flashing on this piece.
Destiny, karma, God’s will. Use Tenmei as an urn. Or use as a vase. It’s water tight. Or accent a table, side board, entryway, niche, or shelf.
And it makes a unique and cherished gift for any occasion as well.
The body of the urn jar is 6.5″ diameter at it’s fullest x 8″ high (10.5″ to top of finial).
