Ceramic Artist's Challenge: Day 4 of 5

Stretch, Chatter, Crackle - Day 4 of 5

With the Ceramic Artist's challenge to post 3 pieces over 5 consecutive days in full swing, I am now on my homeward stretch - Day 4 of 5. One of the things I love most about clay is it's versatility and ability to accept all kinds of abuse. This includes the intentional destruction of a perfectly smooth surface until it is chattered, stretched, ripped or cracked - and somehow still turns out looking great in the end. For the fourth day of the challenge I would like to share some of my textured vessels. These were all formed on the wheel, first by throwing a simple cylinder, then drying the outside while keeping the inside wet and pliable, and then stretching them into the final shape from the inside only, until the exterior surface, like a desert floor, started developing a wonderful pattern of cracked texture.

More pictures posted on the Panta Rei Facebook page.