R O P E   O V A L
​​Traditional Glazed

DOUG FRENCH
Virginia, USA
​2025

3 x 10.75 inches
Stoneware
Wheel Thrown and Slab Built
Fired to Cone 6

"I made this oval pot in 2025 with a commercially available cone 6 stoneware clay. I threw the walls on a wheel, formed the oval shape and attached it to a slab for the base. I use a commercially available tool to create the rope pattern on the edge and mimicked that pattern in the feet. The glaze was was created by using a commercially available glaze. I applied a dark flux to the rim of the pot to cause the glaze to break more dramatically while adding subtle blue streaks as well. This is one of my favorite glaze/clay combinations and made the pot with this glaze in mind. I also had a specific azalea in mind as well when I designed this pot. A fairly simple shape but I feel the subtle glaze variation with the rope textures will pair beautifully with the smooth bark and flowers."

​- Doug French

A B O U T   D O U G   F R E N C H

I am a bonsai ceramics hobbyist who values the joy of creating. I seldom begin with a fixed vision; instead, I let the creative process guide me, embracing wherever it leads. I take pride in producing clean, refined pottery, thoughtfully pairing glazes with each pot’s shape, size, and style.  My true motivation is to witness the transformation of a lump of clay into a successfully executed bonsai pot.

In February of 2022 one of our bonsai club members did a demonstration on how to slab build a rectangular bonsai pot. I was inspired and decided to give it a try. I have been hopelessly hooked to transforming a clump of clay to a beautiful bonsai vessel since then.

I am self taught mainly through watching YouTube videos and subsequent trial and error. I take pride in the build quality of my pots as I strive to make very clean pots in an effort to emulate my virtual mentor and inspiration, Andrew Pearson of Stone Monkey Ceramics (may he rest in peace). I also enjoy experimenting with layering commercially available glazes to match the feel of the pot that I am creating.

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Follow Doug French on these platforms:

Instagram: ​www.instagram.com/dfrench200/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/doug.french.94

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