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This work is a functional teapot made of stoneware clay.
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It is designed in the form of a partially squeezed toothpaste tube mounted atop a faux toothpaste carton that has been crushed by abuse. It is intended as a humorous take on a common mundane bathrrom object, with a double-entendre name.
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The teapot's body is a clay structure that has been slip cast. The cap, which does double duty as the teapot's lid, is also slip cast, In addition, the spout is wheel-thrown and the handle is extruded. The base is slab constructed. Silk-screened images are created in black and white for the toothpaste tube and the toothpaste box base.
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Construction sequence:
- Each part fired initially to cone 06.
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Underglazes and clear glossy glaze applied.
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Refired to cone 5/6.
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China paints applied.
- Fired again to cone 015.
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Parts permanently assembled, except for lid.
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Exhibited at Big Fish, Small Pot IV: International Competition and Show, Mission Viejo, CA
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Date: 2009.
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Size: 8.0" x 7.25" x 4.25".
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Available for purchase.
Enlarged Views
Creative Process
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The teapot's body is designed in the form of a partially squeezed toothpaste tube.
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The extruded clay handle is attached in place at the side of the body.
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The teapot's lid is in the form of a slip cast toothpaste cap placed over the top opening in the body.
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The work's base is slab built in the shape of a crushed toothpaste carton.
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Two different silk-screened images are created in black and white.
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A positive image is placed on the top surface of the base and a reverse image on the bottom.
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The open lid and the bottom panel of the toothpaste box are added.
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This completes the sculpting phase of the construction of the base of the teapot.
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The components are separately kiln fired to cone 6.
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Additional coloration of handle, cap and base box unit is undertaken with black and white underglazes.
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Kiln firing to cone 06 is done in the bisque state for the two components of Squeeze Me, Teas Me, namely teapot and base.
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They are placed in the kiln, as shown here, and propped up with supporting kiln furniture to prevent damage during exposure to the high temperatures of the firing process. The components are now prepared for refiring to cone 6.
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Design features are added to the base with decorative black and white overglazed patterns.
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The zebra-stripe motif is made with China paints. They are diluted with an excess of oil to ensure the stripes would bleed, blend and blur together so as to achieve more spontaneity and gesture.
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Similar design work is done on the teapot as well..
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After having been independently designed, constructed, embellilshed and fired, the two components are permanently joined together to form the integrated teapot. This completes the work.
Detailed Views *
