Now that I have another batch of pots out of the barrel fire I am looking forward to more work on the surfaces. I did a lot of experimentation with waxes and wax based pencils on the last batch which was very satisfying. Walrus wax seemed to be the best overall. It is a wax used for cutting boards so it is food safe (I am not sure if that matters with most of the pots). Also, sealing the pots with hot bees wax seemed effective with the pots holding water for a week or more. The pot needs to be warmed for this to work. Rubbing the wax on the outside is a meditative process similar to making the pots themselves. It also allows for a thorough exploration of the finger marks, bulges and dips in the surface which is part of the elemental, physical meaning of the pots. Holding a pot in the hands is an intimate experience of physical exploration extended by drinking. Using the beeswax and food grade mineral oil allows drinking from these pots but I haven’t experimented with that much yet.
Another aspect of the post fire work is drawing on the pieces. This is another way to explore the surface and infuse a sense of gesture into the work. Rather than using specific designs for the drawn aspects I am focusing on a fluid mark making process that explores the contours of the pots like water flowing over the surface.
Adding paint and mason string as well as integrating crushed brick fragments from my brick stack series perhaps will push the end result beyond the boarder of good taste. Where does this exploration become too much or not enough? Right now I am in the mode of free exploration. An evaluation and decision will come when I can feel the effect of the work and compare the various visual, physical, emotional and intellectual aspects of the different approaches.