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Every pinch pot…

7/23/2023

…I create is wonky. The pots will take on any or all of the following characteristics: lopsided, asymmetrical, or have an uneven rim with one side being noticeably taller that the other. I suppose that’s the nature of the technique. Instead of trying to prevent the imperfections, I work with it. Creating with clay requires an abundance of patience. Each pot created needs time to be formed and time to reach the optimal level of hardness for finishing. Lately, I will start by creating the pinch pot in the morning and work in the clay slip to smooth out cracks. Later in the day, at the leather hard stage, I will add decoration or carve out a design, and towards the end of the day, burnish the pot for a soft, smooth finish. The burnishing compresses the clay and makes it harder. Burnishing also creates a nice smooth surface for the glaze.

Take a look at the 13-minute video below showing a few steps I used to create these pinch pot planters.

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Between spring and fall…

7/6/2023

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…the Magnolia trees that adorn my neighborhood are in full bloom. One evening, I set out for a walk with my garden shears and a wicker basket in tow. My plan was to steal the beautiful blossoms from the trees, as many as would fit in the basket! At first, I had no idea what I was going to create with these beauties! If nothing came of it, these flowers would fill my home with intoxicating sweetness, and I would smile ear to ear in amazement of the enormity of the flowers. Eventually, my ideas centered around creating a series of prints highlighting these giant, beautiful blossoms. I wasn’t sure which printmaking method I wanted to utilize. Screenprinting? Lino-cut prints? Knowing that the blooms only last a few days, I had to work quickly to get a few drawings done.

As I began drawing each bloom, my thoughts centered around Notan. Several years ago, I purchased the book “NOTAN: The Dark-Light Principle of Design by Dorr Bothwell and Marlys Mayfield,” and completed the exercises. I was working as a drawing instructor at the University of Tampa at the time. I will usually dive into a concept before presenting it or teaching it in a class to really grasp it. At any rate, I love the concept of compartmentalized design. It’s a cool exercise that helps the creator expand their mind, imagination, and utilize the picture plane. I chose to experiment with this concept to create these unique prints. I have nine finished ‘prints’ from this experience. I think they work as a whole, so I am offering the entire series for purchase as a set (contact me for purchase options). Print size: 12 inches by 16 inches and 12 inches square. Materials: Black matte ink, on Canson Mixed Media paper.

Check out the images below of my completed project. Enjoy!

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Every pinch pot…

Between spring and fall…

Nicole Lamothe

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