Chatter

“Chatter” is a vessel exploring the mental static that comes with anxiety. This is a large asymmetrical piece with many small slab pieces wrapping around the form in layers. The wavy repetitive texture show the never-ending stream of thought that is a part of my anxiety. I can never quiet my mind, as I am always thinking, worrying, and struggling to silence my mind even just to sleep.

Chatter started as a basic coil pot with an oval base. Once the base coil pot was fully built, I let it stiffen to leather hard.

I then began to apply the texture. I individually hand-rolled coils, flattened each coil, cut an edge, and scored/slipped each piece to the coil pot.

The piece was then left to dry and then Bisque-fired with a 48 hour preheat.

After the bisque-fire, I mixed a black oxide wash and sprayed it onto the piece. Then I wiped the excess off with a damp sponge so the oxide remained in the crevices of the texture. I also signed and dated the piece on the bottom of the vessel.

Lastly I fired the piece to cone 7 (2262F) and then the piece was finished and ready for the exhibition!