Just a bit of thought

I sketched out these two shapes last night before bed. They became the background for the beginning of this morning's journaling and drawing.

So I am out to make some stuff. I am having fun these days. It's a bit sketchy, the way I am working. Still figuring out what I want to make in this clay. Thinking of forms, deco, what works, what doesn't. Learning along the way. I've got those 3 platters to slip and decorate today. That should be a challenge.

I'm happy to be doing something new.



I still have to tell my story about how a stranger I met on the street in Minneapolis ended up giving me a Warren Mackenzie pot. So stay tuned for that.

Just a few pots

from today. No big runs of anything, just a few cups, platters and the odd bowl and jar. I'm not quite in a production mode, just trying some new things here and there. The platters will get added foot rings, as opposed to cut feet, those cups are loose and new, and that small jar with feet is a shape I'm working out.
I also had a couple jars that I didn't photograph. I'm wanting to find a large-ish jar shape I like. I'm not really wanting the typical full belly round shape. I'm more into something like a tea ceremony water jar, or ... well I don't know. Maybe someone has something historical for me to look at. Suggestions welcome.

Quick Post

My blogging and potting pals Doug, Hannah, and Matt have posted about their weekend at ClayArt Wales. It looks like they had a great time, although they all came home exhausted. The bottle kiln they fired looks really fantastic. I've never seen one in real life. It would be fun to have the experience of firing one. Brad Lail, who is from Shelby, was in North Wales during the event and was able to meet them. I'll be looking forward to hearing about Brad's adventures when he gets back home.

My class at Clayworks loaded the gas reduction kiln last night. They did a great job. Becky has some images on her blog.

Well I'm off to make pots. I'll get some images up later. Exciting news...I'm getting an electric kiln to fire my earthenware in and also for bisque for my salt kiln and small gas kiln. I'll keep firing some of the earthenware in the gas kiln until I get it figured out too.

Tuesday

I still have some Minnesota stuff to report. It will have to wait till later though as I need to get to work. I'm saving the best for last. Stay tuned.

I had a nice little visit with Ron yesterday. Sarah really loved the new jar (which is great since I bring so many pots into the house).

Out to make some jars, teapots, and hopefully a platter or two. Just a couple pages from my journal to leave you with for now.

Have a good day.

New Jar

I am so stoked to have this pot. I went to Athens, Ga today to pick it up from Ron Meyers. I had asked him some time ago if he'd make me a large jar , and this is it! It is totally cool. I love the images: cat, frog,bird,owl, diva. It looks great in our new living space.I got Sarah to take a shot with me and my new love.

Off Again

I am heading down to Athens, GA today to have a visit with Ron Meyers and to pick up a pot he made for me. More later....
Have a good Monday!

I'm Making Stuff

I've not just been goofing off since I came home. Yesterday I mixed 600 lbs of clay and I've been making a few pots along the way. I got a big batch of white slip mixed this morning too so some of these guys got a good coat.
Today I made some yunomi and square cereal bowls. I'm wanting to pay attention to the volume of my pots. I am finding the more I can do on the wheel and the less I fuss with them afterwords the more alive and fresh they end up looking.

I am going to be testing a new green glaze soon. I think I'd rather just coat the pots with white slip and then have the color come for the glazes. Kathryn Finnerty had a great green on some of her pots. I have my green slip, I'll play around with it too. I am thinking I need to be paying attention to building up layers (subtle or not so subtle) to make the surfaces more exciting and engaging.

Sarah and I are heading out for dinner tonight. It's nice to be back home with her.

Linda

If you 've been reading this blog for anytime at all you've probably heard me mention Linda Christianson. She is a big influence of mine and such a lovely person. It was thrilling to see all these dishes of Linda's set out in her yard. The past two times I've been to her home there have only been a few pots. This was total L.C. pottery overload!!
I had to control myself as I was on a strict budget. I did score a fantastic huge oval baker (not pictured here, but it's on it's way home to me). It had a cracked handle and I got a super deal on it! I also bought this basket below. I've wanted one for a long time.

I picked up a few pots for some friends while there too. I got my pal David a nice fat pitcher with a super wide handle. For Brandon from TX I picked out one of the striped plates (there on the left corner of the table) and a cereal bowl.
I did get to chat with Linda some but not as much as I'd liked too. Hopefully I'll make it up again soon for a visit with her and her family.

The Host with the Most

Bob Briscoe has to be one of the most generous and kind people on the planet. During my four days spent at his home I saw him give and give and give. He is on the go constantly, nothing seems to upset him or get under his skin. He welcomes folks into his home , feeds them, makes them comfortable, offers them a beer, and of course all his pottery is out for sale, so you can take a piece of Bob home with you to remind you of the experience.

As the saying goes, behind every great man is a great woman, and this case is no different. Mary, Bob's wife, worked away in the house all weekend with the rest of the kitchen staff making wonderful food for us all, and for the customers. She is a quiet lady, much like Bob. I found that Mary has a love of colorful aprons and table clothes. I'd find her up early in the mornings making coffee for us all when I came in from the 'bunkhouse'. She never seemed too tired or put out. Mary and Bob were fine examples to me of two people living in harmony with one another and with the other people in the world.
The atmosphere at the Briscoe household during the Pottery Tour is fun and festive. Food is always coming out of the kitchen, the kegs of beer out on the perimeter of the yard are iced down as folks stand around them and talk of Spring, pottery, catching up on things since they've seen one another last. Bob wore shorts and tee shirt all weekend, most of the rest of us were bundled up a little, especially us Southerners. I think it may be some sort of good luck ritual that he puts into play for the sale. It seems to pay off.
Here are a few images of Bob's pots from the Sale. If you'd like to see more you can visit the Akar site here.


I feel really fortunate that I got to work at the Briscoe site during my first ever MN Potters Tour. Thanks to Bob's extensive selection of Scotch I also had my first drink of that fine beverage. I sure hope I get to go back next year!

More Metz

A few folks have expressed interest in seeing more of Matthew Metz' work so here are these two images I have from the Tour . If you checked in earlier today I had a link to the Akar site. I have updated that with the current show of Matt's work that is on display there now. So check it out here.
Matt's work is porcelain covered in black or brown slip (maybe sig) this is then carved through to revel the clay body beneath, much like cutting a wood block. Then the pots are salt (or soda, not sure which) fired.

Weekend Plans?

Need some plans for the weekend? How about heading to northern Wales for ClayArt Wales 2008. Featuring over 70 leading UK and international potters and ceramic artists. My friends Douglass Fitch and Hannah McAndrew will be there so be sure to stop by their booths and pick up a few pots.

Kathryn Finnerty

Kathryn Finnerty was one of the guest potters at Briscoe's site. She makes beautiful pots. Kathryn lives and works near Eugene, Oregon. Below is a sampling of her work. Everything is built from slabs. I'd love to have a workshop with Kathryn.

These pots really speak for themselves.

Low fired earthenware at it's best!