Handmade Stoneware Wood Fired Cup with Terre Haute Action Track Slip Design

This cup was part of a series of more than 200 pieces of pottery that were fired in my barrel arch wood fired kiln in early December, 2022.

I combine my lifelong passion for both art and racing with my wheel thrown pottery and adding clay and design elements that represent characteristics of individual race tracks. This particular series of cups and mugs were designed with famed half mile Terre Haute Action Track, Vigo County Fairgrounds, Indiana in mind. Our engine builder has strongly suggested that we not race there until my son has more seat time at quarter mile tracks.

While on break from a workshop held at Indiana State University, I snuck off to the fairgrounds, found a way inside the gate and hopped the photographers perch at the end of the front stretch. I then ran across the track and scooped up a cup of clay from the inside of turn 1 and then hustled back to my car before fairgrounds security found and confronted me:)

The clay was then dried, crushed into fine particles and run through a screen to separate the debris. Next, I added water and stirred the clay into a Cool Whip consistency. I then took an old toothbrush and spattered clay into a haze on the cups. This was done after adding a food-safe liner glaze (lines the inside of the form for easier cleaning) and splashes of red, white and blue glaze on the outer surface that recalls the iconic red, white and blue wall that surrounds the racetrack.

The lighter color off-white dots usually seen on the bottom (foot) of the pottery is made from a material that resists melting while the pottery is fired. This refractory is made into marble-like shapes and props the pottery up off the shelf so that the work does not fuse together while the forms are in a liquid glass state above 2260+ degrees Fahrenheit.

All of my functional stoneware is safe for everyday use in the kitchen, dining room, microwave, and dishwasher.

Cup Dimensions:
2 1/2" tall
3" wide
1/4 pound dry weight
6 fluid ounce container