Cup #54

A very small cup...and a very big handle that very early split apart and fell off the cup leaving a small remaining section which I then worked with to this more delicate result. The body of the cup is very much held at the base by the handle. The handle then becomes very busy curling around a seed, flowing up it's cup, and splitting into soft interconnected sections.

Cup #53...after....the transformation

Two hours (and a lot of trust) later. Simple flowing in which the cup becomes handle and the handle becomes cup....

Cup #53..before... (in the beginning...there was a very rough handle)

Here is the handle in the rough just after attachment. Notice the slip oozing out between the handle and the cup at the base...(slip is wet clay slurry that helps the handle stay attached through the contraction of drying and firing). I have to trust that if I pay good attention to the handle it will transform from clunky/ugly into fluid/beautiful. The pleasure comes in the transformation.
It's just a matter of time...

Cup #52

The handle flows from soft waves in the base...curls in confusion, undecidedly undulates up the cup and spills over the rim...two stretching open forms find safe places and join in...

Cup #51

The handle sweeps up from pulsating ridges in the base then spills over just as it reaches the rim...more tender places as my fingers find their way in the soft clay...

Cup #50

Half way to 100.... the handle emerges with fluidly from the base in tenderly formed, drooping (sad?..yes) curves....

Cup #49

The handle vine becomes more fluid as I trust my fingers to find their way around the soft clay...
The first cup after my return from 3 1/2 months on Manitoulin Island.