Moving On

Over the next day or two I'm going to be moving this blog to my new site at
www.ronphilbeckpottery.com

I really hope you'll come along with me.
Please update your blogrolls too.
And tell your friends!


I'll be keeping a blogroll on the new site so I'll take you all along with me too. (I'll get all that info added today or tomorrow).

All the content from this blog has been imported to the new site. So you can still go back in time there if you want.

I'm looking forward to having more content as well as my own URL. I think RonPhilbeckPottery.com is an easier thing for my customers to remember than PottersJournal.

I'll have my Etsy site there too.

Okay, so come on over. I'll have my last post here on Jan. 1, 2009.

Sunshine

Thank goodness the sun has finally decided to come out again. Blue skies, Yea!

Well, all the family have left. It's been a long Christmas for the Nantz family (Sarah's side). I am looking forward to doing some healthy eating this week and getting back to some sort of normal routine.

A Few Pots

A few images to keep you going till I get back to work in the shop. That roasting dish I am esp. fond of. It's sold now so I'll have to make some like it soon.

This is the jar from the video that I posted a while back. It turned out fairly well (except it has no bottom....oops! Ha.)
The beaver has been at it again.

Tool

I had some questions about what tool I use to draw with. I use this Kemper wire tool.

I modified one by cutting the end off of and gluing it into a bamboo handle. It's a little larger in diameter than the original handle and also longer. I find it easier to hold and use.

24th

Christmas Eve, wow I can't believe it's here already. I've got a few gifts to wrap but I'm not feeling too much pressure or stress. I'm glad for that.

Loaded a bisque this morning. Some last minute things that will go to family this weekend.

Sarah shot some images of me drawing on pots this week. I always love seeing process, so I hope some of you like seeing these.

Today I did a bit of painting on cups with underglazes. That was fun and I'll be curious to how they look when finished. It was nice to see the colors on the pots. Who knows where that will lead.

Well that's it for now.

Deco'd Jar

Slipping

Sarah took a bunch of photos of me working in the shop slipping pots yesterday. Today I'll have her taking a few more of the decorating process.
Below is one of the wavy rim plates I made last week. I like them because they aren't TOO wavy but aren't just straight either.

Jeff Oestreich Pots

My pal Tom Gray sent me these two cups from his collection last week. They were made by Jeff Oestreich, who lives in Minnesota. Jeff was trained at the Leach Pottery. I'm guessing these were made sometime in the 80's. Jeff is known these days for his soda fired work. I love these two pots and have used them numerous times while visiting Tom. The one on the left is porcelain with incising/combing under a celadon glaze, the one on the right has brushwork over a celadon.
These two pots make a great addition to our collection. Thanks Tom, we'll use them often.

Do I Need More Social Networking?

So a couple months ago I joined Facebook to see some photos of a potters work. I didn't plan on getting 'friended' all of a sudden and now I've friended people etc etc. I don't really get F.B. like I do blogging. But I'm on there.

Then yesterday I was listening to NPR and caught a bit about Twitter, which I joined up on this morning to see what that was all about. Not much. I mean how many times a day can I log into T and answer the question "What are you doing right now?" ?

I stay on this machine way too much as it is. I need an intervention. I don't know if I'll keep my F.B. account much longer and I just deleted my Twitter account. (Sorry if I Tweeted you today, you're now on your on).

Blogging is plenty for me.

Oh I Forgot

The main reason I mentioned that show below is because at one point Bittman and C.B. were served a roasted pig in this awesome shallow, oval, earthenware baking dish. It was totally cool. I hoped to find a pic of that but couldn't. So watch episode 9 if you get the chance.


Ha! Found it! I'm a good cyber detective. You can tell that pot has been in and out of the oven a few times. Beauty. (I bet that pork was tasty too)

Spain... on the road Again: Episode 09

I caught this show on the tube last night. I really want to travel soon. Italy looks pretty good right. Bittman and Claudia Bassols (oh la la) go to some cool places in this episode.

Thursday Stuff

I had an appointment with my acupuncturist today in Charlotte. I've been going for a couple months now and I've really seen some improvement in several areas, physically, emotionally and mentally. She is treating my depressed tendencies by changing my diet (no dairy, less acidic foods, etc) and with herbs. I've really felt more upbeat recently and I think it has a lot to do with this treatment. The acupuncture is part of this as well and also for some physical pain in my arms, neck, shoulders, and back. Today I had a cupping treatment. Visit that link to get an idea of what it is. I had 14 of those cups stuck to my back while sitting up. It was pretty cool and felt great. My back looks like it was attacked by a giant squid now though.

Well none of this has anything to do with that goat dish. I just put it up there so you'd have something nice to look at!

I've got pots waiting under plastic to be slipped and decorated. I need my photographer (Sarah) to be around as I'm submitting photos to a book that I hope to be included in. Hopefully we'll get some images shot on Saturday.

Today I bought some containers of underglaze so I can play around with some color. I'm planning on making some small dishes next week and just having a couple play days. Should be fun. I picked up a couple watercolor brushes today too, small sizes for fine lines.

All right that's it. Thanks to Gary for posting about me and Doug and Matt. Hi to all of Gary's army of followers out there!! I'll be returning the favor soon.

Warren McKenzie Drop Rim Bowl

This is one of my favorite pots Warren makes, the drop rim bowl. If anyone has one that they want to send me just let me know, I'll be happy to have it.

Hollyford Clay

Made this little cup from the Hollyford woodland clay that Doug sent me.

Back to Making

I finally got in the studio yesterday after lunch. I needed to make some cups for family gifts and a few odd pots to shoot photos of the process. Anyhow it felt great to be back on the wheel. It was a quiet, damp day with only the sound of my treadle clicking away. It was nice not to be working in a hurry, towards some show or deadline. I made a point to throw slowly and intentionally.

These plates have a wavey rim. I'm not sure if I like them yet. I'll get the feet cut on them tomorrow probably. Then I'll know more.Today a few more cups, but other than that just finishing up anything that's ready. More later probably.

Looking for Something a Bit Different????

This fellow(?) from London is not your ordinary potter. Here is an article on him winning the Turner Prize in 2003 and click here for some of his work.

Thanks to Hannah for telling me about him/her.

Craziness

Some of the pottery madness happening around our house....

Clutter and Piles

No potting today. I almost blew my stack when I opened up the cupboard today and the balsamic vinegar fell out and hit the floor. Thankfully only the cap shattered and shot not too much vinegar across the kitchen.

Things had been piling up around here for a week or more. I had to do some serious organizing and throwing out today. I can actually see the top of the kitchen table now, and I organized two cupboards and a drawer in the kitchen. I also cleaned out the refrigerator.

We have waaaaaaaaaay too many pots.

I may have a pottery clear out in the Spring. (If Sarah doesn't kill me before then for bringing more home)

Sorry no images or anything exciting. I feel a bit better though.

Goneaway Pottery Sale

My pal John from Charlotte is having a Sale this weekend. Go see him. He's a hoot, and he makes some good pots too.

Wish I Made It

Not long ago, Doug sent me this link to a page featuring Cyprus Sgraffito Pottery from the Guzelyurt Museum and the St. Barnabus Museum. I had never seen these pots before or known that the amber and green glazes were used on this ware in this manner. I've been doing something slightly similar, and honestly I'm not sure where I got the idea. Possibily from a contemporary potter who HAD seen these pots. What ever the case, these are some sweet pots. I love how the sgraffito fills up the interior of the bowl and I esp. like the energetic squiggles and loops on some of these. Enjoy.

Ink and Brush

I tried a few pages of drawing with a # 1 water color brush yesterday using India ink. I like the lines the brush makes. I certainly have never felt very comfortable with a brush. Practice I guess. I may try a small one like a zero, I'll have to check them out when I go back to the art supply.

Just Some Drawings

Well you can see I haven't done much potting. None really. Mostly reading and drawing this weekend.

I have some mugs and jars to make this week so I'll get in the workshop tomorrow to do that. It will be a small load, mainly things for gifts.

All for now.

Star Wars according to a 3 year old.

This is just tooo cute.

Plates

I've added a few plates to my Etsy Shop.

This and That on a Damp Thursday.

More Art-O-Mat madness. Here are several of the board members from the Cleveland County Arts Council showing off the artwork bought out of our new Art-O-Mat. Look how happy they all are...art has that effect on people.



Today I went into Charlotte for several hours. I had lunch with my pals Jen, Amy and Julie. Julie doesn't have a web presence so I thought I'd put up a shot of her work. It's fun stuff. I got one of her mugs last week and have been totally enjoying it.
After lunch I headed to Cheap Joe's for some art supplies, pens and journals and then over to Clayworks to pick up some work of mine from our sale last weekend.

I have some nice pots left over, mugs and plates, so I'll try and get a few of them up om my Etsy shop in the morning. I have been pleasantly surprised that I sold 7 of the 12 mugs I posted Tuesday. Those all have been delivered or shipped.

I had a bit of a chat with Michael Kline today on the phone. He seems well, anxious to get back to making pots. I really need to get up to visit him and see his new studio and showroom.

Well that's it for today.

New Cups on Etsy

They're up! Please shop responsibly and be sure to tell your friends!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!

Click here.

Art-O-Mat in Shelby

The Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby has acquired an Art - O - Mat machine. I am so excited for us to have this in our town. Original art for $5. And the excitement of obtaining it in such a unique way.

Art - O - Mat machines are the brainchild of Clark Whittington of Winston Salem, NC. The machines are retired cigarette vending machines. Clark was room mates in college with local accountant and Arts Council member Jay Gragg. Jay had the idea of getting us a machine and last Thursday Clark came out and installed it for us.
Below you can see the excitement of obtaining a piece of original art from the Art-O-Mat.
The art comes packaged in small boxes or on blocks of wood that are wrapped in cellophane.


Sarah got a necklace with a wire pendant made by Michelle Cutler.I got this really groovy dog boy painting by Asheville artist Julie Armbruster. Totally suits me right?!!!!

Once the first supply of art has run out we will restock with new artists some of which will be locals. For more information please check out the Art-O-Mat website. You can find out how to get one in your area, or find an exsisting one, you can also find out how to apply to be an Art-o-Mat artist.

End of the Weekend

My Holiday Open House went well. Thanks to everyone who came out to get pots. I am officially finished with shows for the year. I had three things going on this weekend. Some were better than others but I'm happy now that it's over and I can get back to the studio this coming week.

I do plan on having 20-30 new pots on Esty before the end of the week. I'll post the date on Tuesday. The kiln is firing right now with about 20 new cups (along with all 80 + soap dishes for the order I had)

If you're in the area please give me a call if you want to come by. There are still some nice pots here. 704 480 6046

Okay that's it for now. Regular blogging resumes tomorrow.

Back Quickly

Good Saturday to you all. I haven't fallen off the pottery planet. So much going on, so little time to blog.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Clayworks last night for our Studio Sale. It continues today from 10 - 3. I have a nice selection of mugs, plates, jars and other pots there including the baker you see here.

My Holiday Sale continues this weekend. Sarah will be here taking care of that while I am at the Cleveland County Arts Council in Shelby. I have a booth there for the weekend for the Winter Arts Tour.

Too bad I can't be in all three places, but I have pots in all three locations so if you're near any one please stop in. If you're a bit farther away....say Devon maybe...you can get some beautiful slipware from Doug Fitch as he's having his sale today.

I'll have new cups going up on Etsy next week. Still have to get them glazed and fired so I'll post the date soon.

Much to report but that will have to wait until later. Thanks for checking in!!

Thankful

I had an email invite to Diane Kenney's Holiday Studio Sale today. I've always admired her work. Click here to see the invite. Just look at that studio shot!!! Wow, talk about Winter Wonderland.

This quote is at the bottom and it really spoke to me.


When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is
that I am thankful I have a cup. --Sam Lefkowitz


So true. I have much to be thankful for (not only all our cups). I've been feeling quite 'up' lately and I'm thankful for that too.

Have a good day.

2 Hr. Work Day.

I spent most of the day in Charlotte. I had an acupuncture appt. and then met up with my pal Amy to go over some glazes for an upcoming tile project we are doing. Of course there was lunch too and a bit of shopping. (I don't want to waste a trip to the city ya know).

I did get in about an hours work before I left and about that much when I got home. So that's not bad. Ha. I got all the Phoenix' drawn in and 18 cups slipped. I'll draw on those cups tomorrow.

This plate came out of the kiln yesterday. It's a girlie plate.
Well that's not much of a post but it's all I got.

Breakfast

I woke up craving something different than my usual oatmeal or cereal breakfast today. Eggs maybe. But not just eggs,...crispy, fried, over-easy eggs with oyster sauce and scallions. A bit of leftover brown rice warmed up completed things. Once you break the yolks and mix them with the sauce....yummy.

Ready to face the day.

Soap Diiiiishessssss

Finished slipping all 80 of the dishes tonight. Did a bit of deco on the edges and tomorrow I'll draw in the center. I wish I was doing some goats and such but these are for a company order and they want their logo in the center, which I have adapted to my style. It's a Phoenix...you know the bird. So that's tomorrow. Whew! A lot of work in these little devils. They each have 4 feet too you see. Crazy me!

New Pots Coming To My Etsy Shop

I'll be putting up a new batch of cups on my Etsy Shop next week. Not sure about the exact day yet but I'll keep ya posted. Stay tuned.

Still Time

There's still time to get pots. My shop will be open this Saturday from 10 till 5 and Sunday from Noon until 4.

Also I will have work at the Clayworks Studio Open House Friday night from 6 till 9 and Sat. from 10 am till 3 pm.

Also I will have work at the Cleveland County Arts Council during the Winter Arts Tour on Sat and Sunday. Same hours as my shop hours.

Not sure where you'll run into Bernie, but he'll be out and about.