Meet Chuck! (And no, he’s not the new man in my life)
Posted by: Cynthia in Uncategorized
I have a decidedly low tech ceramic studio. It can be frustrating at times, but at others, I am glad to have learned how to make it work. With the exception of my electric wheel and kilns, everything else is done by hand the old fashioned way. Ceramics and pottery is an art that has changed little over time. Take clay, make something with it, decorate, fire piece to a high temperature, and enjoy.
Last year while I was making work at the Art Student’s League of Denver, I lent my “chuck” to a fellow artist. What is a chuck, you ask? He’s not my latest boy toy, it’s a thrown clay hollow cylinder which is used to stabilize more complicated thrown forms when trimming and finishing the bottoms. When I trim a bowl or other stable form, I simply turn it upside down on my wheel to trim. But, with a bottle form, it won’t stay upright making it impossible to trim without assistance of some sort.
Back to lending my chuck…. I don’t fire my chucks, preferring to leave them green (or unfired) so that they remain softer than bisqued pieces. A softer chuck is less likely to damage my freshly thrown bottles or other forms. I lent my chuck to woman who proceed to wash it off afterwards. I had forgotten to tell her that the chuck was green, and needless to say, it disintegrated under running water and scrubbing. I’ve been getting by with some other sized chucks that I had already made, until I threw some more work this last weekend, and decided to make a smaller chuck to accommodate the new form.
What could I use if I didn’t have any thrown chucks? Well, if I had a higher tech studio, I might use the Giffen Grip, but at $179.00 it’s another item to add to my wish list. At this point, I’d rather have heat in my studio and better lighting than a Giffen Grip.
Are there any high tech items on your wish list?
~Cynthia
Tags: giffen grip, low tech pottery studio, pottery chuck, trimming pottery
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It was nice to meet Chuck … I had no idea what a chuck was. I think the low tech makes us appreciate our mediums more. It’s always fun to have the other stuff though………..
I think so too, Nancy! Though I do covet a lot of tools…
Hi Cynthia,
There are always fancy things to desire.
I’m a painter, so I covet those expensive easels that hold paintings of any size, at any angle and height, and can be readjusted with one finger. Alas, my simple wooden A-frame easel will have to do for now. Color-corrected studio lighting? And, how about a big studio the size of a warehouse? Clamp-on lights in the spare bedroom is good enough for me.
And there’s all the stuff for art festivals, like carpeted display panels, high-tech credit card swipe machines, and don’t forget the dedicated art-show truck that you don’t have to unload between shows!
Yeah, it would all be nice, but a simpler setup works too.
I think there’s a real benefit to having the simplest possible setup. You can change it without feeling like you’ve wasted a lot of money. It forces you to be creative. It keeps you humble. And it demonstrates that you’re all about the art, not the trappings.
Barbara J Carter
http://www.barbarajcarter.com
Yep!A big, geared press, please.
“I think there’s a real benefit to having the simplest possible setup. You can change it without feeling like you’ve wasted a lot of money. It forces you to be creative. It keeps you humble.”
So true Barbara!!
I’d like a press too Dinah - but I am trying to stick to one medium now… teehee
A double masted easel would be nice. That way the paintings wouldn’t wobble side to side on the bigger ones! But when I look at how much space it would take up, I think I would rather have the extra room than something that I would be occasionally using.
Thanks for the slideshow as well. It is always fun to look at the process.
Oh boy Cyn I was looking in your etsy store tonight and fell in love with those circle shaped light blue earrings, so I bought ‘em! Back in college ceramics, I remember how tricky it was to trim the bottom of the pots and mine look like an alligator did it compared to yours…yours is smooth perfection!
If I could get a new high tech tool right now, it would be a new computer, mine has no sound and is getting awfully old.
I would love 4 walls for my studio. My studio shares what should be our dining room with my husband’s home office. I would just love to be able to close a door and shut out the chaos of my family when I really need to work. I know thats not high tech, but it is what I wish for.
I lived in Denver, Colorado for 4 years about 11 years ago. I loved every minuet of it and would love to move back some day. My sister still lives in Colorado, in Buena Vista. I always look forward to visiting her and your lovely state.
Ummmm… an iPhone??
So, the painters want big fancy easels, ey, Shawn? That seems to be the consensus. I would take an extra room or double the square footage myself. One can dream…
Thanks Lynette
I would like a Mac when my computer dies. Knock on wood, mine will last a little while longer.
I hear you Menagerie! Sometimes, the basics are a luxury… I’ve made peace with our former garage and my husband no longer asks when I’ll make space for the car. Buena Vista is gorgeous!
Me to Diana! One of my friends picked up one right away - she’s always up on technology.
Yes, I would like a small art gallery. Oh, that doesn’t count. DRAT!!!
Well I learned something new today. For a min there I thought chuck was a new fella stuck in the studio to massage your shoulders and provide special assistance. PHEW!
I thought Chuck would be a companion to Larry.
You have so many, many guys in your art, my lovely little ceramicist. Good show and explanation.
Thanks!
Hi, Cyn,
Well, as a digital artist, it’s Hi-Tech that rocks my world! So, if I’m dreaming, I’d have to go for the LightJet 5000 Wide-Format Printer.
http://www.cymbolic.com/products/lightjet5000.html
Of course, I’d need a wicked studio to get the most from such a printer. In a perfect world, that studio include a couple of Alienware Area-51 pc’s complete with 30″ NEC LCD3000 flat panel displays.
You had to ask.
I’ve often thought that I would want to run an art gallery too, Jafabrit!
teehee, Janet - maybe that will be my next doll’s name.
I like that Mary!
We can dream, right W.J.?