Bonnie Staffel on tue 13 jun 00
June 13, 2000
When you start out in your career as a potter, who knows how long or
what direction your life will be going. Having celebrated a 50 year
retrospective show a couple of years ago, I had to track down some of my
earliest pots. The first ones were signed by a logo only, I then
considered the question of who would know what that stood for, decided
to start signing my last name. In researching my older pots, I could
only guess the dates they were made by the glazes used, type of kiln
used, and memory only. Now that I am in my 70's and am considered an
"antique" have been signing and dating all my pots on the bottom as my
work is now collectible.
I do believe that customers will think the pieces are old if the date is
from previous years and may not buy them. However, your work may change
year to year and that may also deter a customer from buying the old form
and the date would confirm this fact. It is a dilemma. Over the years
of my career, when I made a pot I felt was particularly unique, I just
set it aside for my family to inherit. I feel the date is good
historically.
It might also be a good idea to pull your work from a gallery if it has
been showing for over a year and unsold. New work will enliven your
display. Over the years I have worked with earthenware, terra cotta,
stoneware, porcelain and smoke firing. Tried raku and never got into
it.
About the discussion of waterproofing Raku, doesn't this method also
preserve the iridescence and color instead of reoxidizing in a few
years? I also "waterproof" my smoked pieces to preserve the smoke
pattern. If these pieces are placed in a sunny window or outside, they
will fade if not preserved. Future Floor Polish applied with a damp
cloth is a good method. If applied thinly, does not change the
appearance.
Bonnie Staffel, Charlevoix, MI
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