Progression of an Idea

One of the wonderful things about making art is the process of developing an idea.  You learn and imagine things you never expected.  Sometimes what you end up with is a complete surprise, but when you look back you can see the progression as your mind leapfrogged around and refined its imagery.  Here I've documented a progression that has taken place over several years.

This was Stage 1: a sculptural spiny eel curving its way up a handbuilt pot.  There is an opening at the top with a boring rim, as if it is meant to be a vase.  It was never finished because although I loved the form (more specifically the eel), I could never decide what color/texture combination to use in glazing it.

Stage II: Eel vs. Creature.  I went to rebuild the original piece to basically test glazes on, but ended up continuing the wall up and around and finishing it with teeth.  The concept was a spiny eel, probably hunting, encountering a hunter of its own as it wound its way along coral and rocks.  However, the boring satin grey I finished the creature in basically ruined the piece for me.  It never quite came together.

Stage III found another eel hunting, this time encountering a shark.  I felt the shape of the shark's nose balanced the form nicely, though I do wish I'd curved it the other way.  I love the contrast of the metal and the clear crackle glaze on white clay.  However, the piece still felt like it was a step in the road.

Stage IV: Abandoning the eel!  I often find that my original ideas are too cluttered, and simplifying them usually results in a more powerful piece.  That is what happened here.  I took just the shark shape, cut the mouth into it, and pit fired the resulting sculptures.  The simplicity of the form allows the markings of the pit fire to shine, and to me this type of finish creates a mysterious, primeval feeling.  Smoke and fire, water and shadow.  The pieces have openings for a tea light candle to be inserted so that the light can flicker along the inside of the mouth.