Learning to step away from a creation and declare completion can be hard for an artist. I know I sometimes struggle with this concept and have heard it expressed by fellow creators. Overworking clay can lead to disastrous results. It's probably why I like to make multiples of a particular shape. It gives me the opportunity to satisfy that urge to 'perfect' the final outcome.
Lately, I've been reworking pot shapes and designs I've made in the past with techniques, glazes and skills I currently favor. This gives me an opportunity to repeat a favorite shape and adapt it to a fresh and updated look.
I've been experimenting with washing away some of the color underglaze on the textured surface of my pieces. I copied the shape I originated in my Potomac, Md. studio many years ago and played with texture and color in this updated version. I like the results.
This journey includes looking at wheel-thrown shapes I've made and translating them to my current hand-building methods. Sometimes the conversion works beautifully. And some pots are just meant to be thrown on the wheel.
The adaptation of my wheel-thrown colander to a hand-built version is still a work in progress. The original was created in 1994. Next time I'll back off on the texture and middle seam and let the boy/girl hole cutouts remain the pot's feature.