Introduction to Teapots

A few years ago I ran across an add requesting submission of material for a publication authored by Dona Z. Meilach.  She is an art historian, lecturer, and author of over 50 books on various arts and crafts.  Her new book was focused on Teapots:  Makers and Collectors.  She had submitted previous writings with Schiffer Publishing and was asking artist to send slides and descriptive information to her for this new book.  Things looked legitimate and I had been making a few teapots, so I gathered the information on two of my creations and sent it off.  I was notified that my pieces had been accepted for the publication.

It takes quite a long time to put such a publication together, particularly one involving 227 artists in fourteen countries and a final count of 450 dazzling color images.  A short history was included of why teapots evolved as late as the 1500's, when tea had already been consumed for generations.  Artist's unique techniques and materials were discussed  as an introducing of each of the 227 contributors.  Discussion with private and corporate collectors, decorators, and museum curators is included in the book to learn who is doing what, where, how, and why.

Finally the book was finished and made available to the contributors including a press kit that could be used with local media to announce the book and the involvement of the local artist in it's creation.  I was impressed with the quality and proud to be a part of the project.  It would be a very impressive coffee table addition.  You would enjoy it I'm sure but if you don't want to put out the $50.00 to own one, check your local library.

My two teapots are shown on page 207 and the text describing them can be found on pages 192 and 193.  For those of you without a book, the text describing the construction process is included here.  "Edwin K. Hill's unusual use of cactus plants for the surface of his teapots reflects his lifelong search for unusual materials and innovative ways to use them.  The cholla cactus family includes such plants as the stag horn, teddy bear, jumping cactus, and the walking stick or cane.  They are characterized by overlapping sections of growth and have a wood inner skeleton. This hollow structure, pierced to varying degrees with lenticular holes, has provided a strong and  light support for the plants growth.  The patterns that result also make interesting different textures, and colors that lend themselves beautifully to a variety of teapot projects.  

Hill's materials are as close as the desert floor near his Tucson, Arizona, home and studio.  He says that "nature's design and architecture, as found in Arizona flora is merged with a free flowing, natural shape to become a teapot.  He laminates small pieces of the  cactus skeleton over a removable core made of Styrofoam and covered with Fiberglas cloth saturated in resin.  The wood segments and other materials are attached to this shell.  Areas between pieces are filled with a grout formed from resin and a filler material.  The surface is sanded, the core is removed, leaving a hollow vessel.  An oil finish rubbed into the wood is brought to a shiny finish with a paste wax."

My piece, "Cholla Tea" is shown below.  When my oldest son "Ben" married "Kerry" I gave them this teapot as a wedding gift.  Dimensions are: 9" h x 16" w x 6"d.

The other piece shown in the book is "Hard Hat Brew" shown below.  Strips of fir limber and plywood are laminated over a Fiberglas shell.  Steel parts are attached with screws, nails, and bolts.  The wood is stained and sealed.  Metal surfaces are also sealed to prevent oxidation. Dimensions: 18" h x 14" w x 7" d.  My stepdaughter, "Kristi" displays this teapot in her home.

These and other art pieces can be viewed in my web site galleries.  <www.apatchablue.com>