these clay bodies, taken from the earth, contain large amounts of minerals that can give them potent staining strength.
one of the most common naturally occurring mineral in clays – iron oxide – can give bodies a rich red, black or yellow colour
in ceramic handbooks, this quality is often written about like an inconvenience: “newman clay is useful for imparting a bright orange red tone but can be difficult to work with as it stains whatever surface it comes into contact with”
I find that I am drawn to this. I like that these bodies resist the desire to keep things clean and contained. wherever they touch, they leave an echo of the earth. as long as they contain moisture
wedged with my knees and hands, as I soon tired
somewhere between wedging, coiling and joining, I practice movements that can never become a vessel
