From: John Tilton [john@tiltonpottery.com]

Sent: Saturday, May 29, 2010 7:51 AM

To: Phil Hamling

Subject: Vase Shape Revisions

Hi Phil,

Your thinking is correct. 

Drawing is very good, by the way.

In both cases the drawings improve the pots in a major way. It's very good that you are thinking this way. I like that you are not content to just be an engineer. (I don't mean that as a disparaging remark at all -- just that there is a reality and we all see it differently and you have the engineer's glasses which lets you see the reality in one way but that is not the whole ball of wax).  Why not imbibe it all? See it as it actually is.

It takes time to develop forms. Some people have more skill than others for sure, but you have the eye to go all the way. Just keep at it and look at great pots from all traditions. Practice throwing for the technical skill and looking for the sophistication. You might be a GREAT thrower but not have the eye to SEE. I have seen that happen. 

You might spend a day at the Met since you are pretty close. I would love to go there. They have some Koji Kamada oilspots. Look at those Song Dynasty pots. Be open to it all. Mimbres Indian pots are amazing. 

John