Here are some pictures of the Raku vase that was being made on photo page 2
This vase is currently for sale on eBay. To see the listing, cut and paste this url in your browser bar:
http://cgi.ebay.aol.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1248654292
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The finished Raku vase from photo page 2
White crackle, tutti-frutti glaze (a metallic looking copper with magenta and blue hues), and the black bottom portion, left traditionally unglazed.
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Gorgeous crackling and color. . .
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Another side. . .
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Still another beautiful view. . .
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Top of the vase. . .
See the crackling inside and out (these vessels are not necessarily water tight and they cannot be used for food). |
Where the vase came from (the wheel) . . .
Jim creating this pot on the wheel before it was glazed and fired. |
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Details matter . . .
Jim puts a final detail around the neck of the wet vase with his finger as it turns on the wheel. |
UGLY JUGS!!
A Personal History of Face Jugs From Jim McDowell:
“This is the face-jug oral history as it was passed down in my family; the McDowell-Poston family. My father James T. McDowell, Sr., told me the story and he received it from his father, Boyce McDowell, who was a tombstone maker in Gasney, SC, and he got it from his father who lived during slavery times.
My great, great, great Aunt whose name was Evangeline lived in Jamaica and was a village potter. She made face jugs too. She said the slaves not only put personal items on their loved-ones graves but also used face jugs.
The ugly face on the jug evolved this way, according to Evangeline (who lived during the time of slavery). Slaves from Africa revered their ancestors and participated in ancestor honoring, or what we might call ancestor worship. African slaves went to the Caribbean where they picked up the religion of voodoo. Then they came to the US and the missionaries converted them to Christianity which had a belief in the devil. Evangeline said they put all those things together to come up with the ugly face jug. It had to be ugly enough to scare the devil away from your grave so your soul could go to heaven. I remember all of these things when making a face jug.
When I started making face jugs 12-15 years ago I heard about the Slave Potter from South Carolina who could read and write and I was drawn to his story. In the face of such adversity and under the risk of severe punishment, this slave potter created jugs with rebellious sayings on them. Although there are no accounts that he ever made face jugs, I wanted to honor this courageous man and keep the tradition and spirit of Slave Potter Dave alive by writing messages on my jugs as Dave had done.”
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Jim with a new crop of "uglies."
Fresh out of the kiln and ready to be glazed. |
Six ugly jugs. . .
OH NO!! That's 5 ugly jugs and Jim the Potter (having some fun with his new creations). |
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Big Blue Ugly. . .
Currently up for sale at the internet storefront on Ruby Lane featuring Mr. McDowell's work. Got to
http://cherubicpr.rubylane.com/ |
Large Ugly Face Jug with shino glaze. . .
Currently up for auction on eBay. The second Mr. McDowell has offered for auction by eBay. |
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Small Blue Ugly Jug. . .
The first of Mr. McDowell's ugly jugs to be put up for auction on eBay. (Sold at auction on eBay (June 18, 2001) |
Large Ugly Jug. . .
From a private collection of Jim McDowell's work. |
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