Hot take: I think the push for 'perfect' color consistency is overrated

Three years ago at a workshop in Asheville, I saw a guy get really upset because his cobalt blue batch had a tiny streak of lighter blue. He was ready to scrap the whole thing. I told him to roll with it. He made a vase with that batch. The slight shift in tone gave it way more depth. Last week, a client saw a similar piece in my shop and bought it because of that 'flaw'. She said it looked alive. I think we focus too much on control and not enough on happy accidents. Anyone else find clients actually like a little variation?

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3 Comments

troy_adams5mo ago

Totally agree. Saw a potter get mad about a glaze drip once, but it made the whole piece look like it was melting. People love that stuff.

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jamie_garcia255mo ago

That melting look you like can feel like a ruined week of work for the artist though.

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elliotr985mo ago

Used to think it had to be perfect too. But @jamie_garcia25 is right, sometimes the "ruined" part is what makes it good.

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