A few Bellota pots

For some time now, I have been admiring all the fine bonsai pots that have been posted on this forum. There is an extremely talented line-up of potters who frequent this gallery and I was pleasantly surprised to see an old acquaintance (Dan Barton) join the group.

I had the pleasure of visiting with Dan many years ago at his home and studio outside of Bristol. It was during that visit with Dan that the seeds of bonsai pottery were planted in my mind.

That being said, I would like to share a few of my Dansai inspired bonsai pots with you. The following group of pots are all round and made from a variety of different clay-bodies. All my pots are fired to cone 10 (2400 degrees F.) in a gas, reduction kiln.






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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

If you have any thoughts, please feel free to comment.

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Paul

Paul, they're BEAUTIFUL!! I especially like the first 2 and the last. I'd have a hard time picking a favorite, but I think it would be the second.

R

Hi Paul,
these are wonderful pots, all Masterclass.
Best regards
Peter

All of them are very impressive, I particularly love the seventh pot. Do you use home-made glazes?

Are you going to be a vendor at BSF 2011?

Russell Coker wrote:Paul, they're BEAUTIFUL!! I especially like the first 2 and the last. I'd have a hard time picking a favorite, but I think it would be the second.

Hi Russell,

Thank you for the nice compliment.

I can see from your choices that you have an keen eye for color.

Best wishes,
Paul

peter krebs wrote:Hi Paul,
these are wonderful pots, all Masterclass.

Hello Peter,

Your kind words are very much appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my pots.

Regards,
Paul

yamadorian wrote:All of them are very impressive, I particularly love the seventh pot. Do you use home-made glazes?

yamadorian,

I appreciate the positive feedback.

To answer your question, yes, I make all my own finishes. I feel that it is very important for a potter to develop his or her own unique portfolio of finishes. In my opinion, it is the finish that will determine if a pot is successful or not.

Regards.
Paul

Billy M. Rhodes wrote:Are you going to be a vendor at BSF 2011?

Yes Billy, that is the plan.

Hope to see you there.

Regards.
Paul

Hi Paul,
As usual, it is great to see your fine pots...although I do love seeing them in person even more!

I always appreciate your great attention to detail and fine craftsmanship.

You make me want to be a better potter! I have been mad at work to keep improving, and your help that you have been giving me, that you so graciously share, is very much appreciated. It is great to have you as a peer AND mentor.

Anyhoo, thanks for sharing with us here on the IBC!
Rob

PS...How are your plans for St. Louis coming along?

Rob Addonizio wrote:Hi Paul,
As usual, it is great to see your fine pots...although I do love seeing them in person even more!

I always appreciate your great attention to detail and fine craftsmanship.

You make me want to be a better potter! I have been mad at work to keep improving, and your help that you have been giving me, that you so graciously share, is very much appreciated. It is great to have you as a peer AND mentor.

Anyhoo, thanks for sharing with us here on the IBC!
Rob

PS...How are your plans for St. Louis coming along?

Hey Rob,

Thank you very much for all the kind words.

I have always enjoyed talking with you and sharing ideas. Your enthusiasm, your positive attitude toward others, and your quest for improvement are contagious.

Everything is still a go for St. Louis, should be fun.

Cheers,
Paul

What is bellota?

The color and texture of #7 does it for me, would love to feel that surface!

Hi Paul,

What a fabulous line up of pots and so professionally made. I especially like the yellow pot at the top — fantastic glaze. It's warming to know that your visit to my place proved positive! I look forward to seeing more of your pots.

Best wishes, Dan

Dan Barton wrote:Hi Paul,

What a fabulous line up of pots and so professionally made. I especially like the yellow pot at the top — fantastic glaze. It's warming to know that your visit to my place proved positive! I look forward to seeing more of your pots.

Best wishes, Dan

Hello Dan,

I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my pots.

I posted that photo of the yellow pot for you. Knowing that you are a connoisseur of yellow pots, I thought that one would catch your eye.

Indeed, my visit proved positive in many ways Dan. Although the time we spent together was short, I came away with an entirely new attitude toward the art of bonsai.

I fired the kiln yesterday and will be unloading it on Tuesday, so I will post a few more photos next week.

Thank you for the inspiration.

Cheers,
Paul

kitoi wrote:What is bellota?

The color and texture of #7 does it for me, would love to feel that surface!

Hey Keith, nice to hear from you.

That particular pot is finished in the reticulated glaze that we've talked about before.

Bellota - that's my handle.

Thanks for your positive feedback.

Regards,
Paul

PJ

Beautiful pots. I thought it was just me who liked single foot forward on round pots

Look forward to seeing more of your work

Regards

Andy

No, no, no, no, no, Andy! It´s not just You :-) I like single foot forward too.
And just three feet on round pots.

Beuatiful glazes. I´ll never reach such plain surface with my clay, glazes and firing.

Stone Monkey wrote:PJ

Beautiful pots. I thought it was just me who liked single foot forward on round pots

Look forward to seeing more of your work

Regards

Andy

Beautiful pots...and best foot forward for me too.

Stone Monkey wrote:Beautiful pots. I thought it was just me who liked single foot forward on round pots

Look forward to seeing more of your work

Thanks Andy, I appreciate the compliment very much.

I like to place a single foot forward on round pots because it provides a more stable base in my opinion.

I will try to post a few more pot photos later this week after I have had time to sort through the current kiln load.

Cheers,
Paul

Tom Benda wrote:I like single foot forward too. And just three feet on round pots.

Hello Tom, thanks for taking the time to comment on my pots.

Three footed round pots are okay. I prefer to use a five footed pattern on mine. I think it gives the pots a more stable foundation.

Tom Benda wrote:Beautiful glazes. I´ll never reach such plain surface with my clay, glazes and firing.

I appreciate your kind words very much.

Regards,
Paul

will baddeley wrote:Beautiful pots...and best foot forward for me too.

Hello Will,

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

For me, it's always the best foot forward.

Cheers,
Paul

beautiful pots !

Totally stunning, magnificent surfaces and colours/textures.
For my taste I find the feet a bit pronounced. Superbly shaped for the pots, but a bit too much for me. I prefer subtle feet [maybe because my own are so big!!]. But that being said as a very personal comment, the feet do suit the pots and all the pots are beautifully balanced. Well done!!!!

martin kolacia wrote:beautiful pots !

Hello Martin,

Your compliment is very much appreciated.

Regards,
Paul

chatsworth45 wrote:Totally stunning, magnificent surfaces and colours/textures.
For my taste I find the feet a bit pronounced. Superbly shaped for the pots, but a bit too much for me. I prefer subtle feet [maybe because my own are so big!!]. But that being said as a very personal comment, the feet do suit the pots and all the pots are beautifully balanced. Well done!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts chatsworth45.

I appreciate your feedback and the gracious compliments very much.

Regards,
Paul