Tony Reynolds  
Traditional Forms, anew

It's Pretty but can it tap Dance?

The ceramist's foundation, historically and as "being" a ceramist, is in the vessel. We are "potters" i.e. makers of pots or bowls or some such vessel. Of course potters now practice the ART of pottery since for efficiency and economics sake its makes more sense to buy our everyday pots at Macy's or Nordstrom's or K-Mart.

As an art form the vessel or pot is on the one hand one of the more abstract forms in ART and on the other hand one of the more self referential and universally intimate objects we know culturally.  Although my interest lies within the abstract, these pieces are, nevertheless, vessels and are therefore approachable as pottery. I want to explore the form, the surface , the interior. I want to present the pieces as something to explore more closely... as a narrative.

The crystalline glazes are another facilitator in my efforts to get the viewer to stop a moment longer and perhaps read the narrative. Crystalline glazes are technically challenging. They take more care in preparation, in firing and finishing than most other treatments. Without restraint they can be gaudy or have a Victorian preciousness. My goal is not to dazzle the viewer with huge crystals. My goal is to set a background, a landscape within which I can speak. I am not trying to only present a beautiful pot, I am trying to give make a present of an experience.

"Wedding Trees" ginger jar form, porcelain, brass and copper Ammonia Chloride patina (close-up)	Copper Green Onion shaped vase with Steel flower
"Walk ABout"  Porcelain with steel	Holiday Trees
Vase encircled with Steel & Antique Key	Copper Green Onion Vase with brass rods
Copper Green Flat vase with brass rods (moveable)	top view
4" lidded vessel, Bisbee copper finial	4" lidded vessel, Selenite crystal finial
12" lidded urn, copper crystal glaze (sold)	3" bowl "Clouds Parting", copper crystal glaze
3" bowl, "Honey" manganese crystal glaze (sold)	4.5" bowl, cobalt crystal glaze (sold)
12" vase, clear crystal glaze (sold)	4" bowl, cobalt crystal glaze (sold)