All the severe weather went east of us yesterday. We still had some windy conditions and some awesome clouds blowing over. It's been very hot for April, last night a cold front moved in and it feels nice out this morning. I'm not totally ready for 90 degree heat just yet. We are seriously in need of some rain.
I spent several hours Saturday at Linda McFarling's pottery in Burnsville, NC. Linda and I met years ago at Arrowmont school where we were both taking a class. Since then Linda has been a friend and mentor to me.
Linda was firing her salt kiln during the visit but we had time to sit and talk and look at pots. One of the things that came up was the question of how one critically looks at ones on work. This has been a struggle for me and since I can be sort of shy I have not really sought out other's criticism in the past. Linda went over her process with me using her own pots as examples. It was very helpful. One of the methods she uses was learned from Minnesota potter Linda Christianson. Pots are looked at at different stages of development, during the making, handling, turning, after bisque, after final firing. Questions are asked, "which one is best?, why? which ones don't work?, why?, what can I change?" This is done with pots that are similar, say a run of cups, or jars or whatever. So the comparison is apples to apples. It is important to be present, to be objective, and to be willing to discard what isn't working or at least try again. This whole thing isn't easy and my belief is that not every one can do it. Not everyone can 'see' what is there, or what needs to be there. Linda says her training as a painter has helped her greatly. I think I can reconize good pots of others easier than I can of my own. I have no art training. I have to rely on what I have seen as good pots. I think drawing, looking, and paying attention are things that could help me.
Linda also said it is important to learn to 'discard'. This means for her throwing away finished pots that do not meet her standards. I do this but it usually takes time. For instance, right now I have two very full boxes of old pots sitting under the tractor shed. I think I will take them to the gully today. It will be very freeing.
Another lesson is learning to go the extra step. For instance, if I put a handle on a pitcher and I see that it doesn't work, I should go the extra step to take that handle off and try again. Or if I am turning a foot on a plate and it comes off still heavy, I should put it back on the wheel and take off more clay. Take the time to make the pots right.
Of course all this brings up the question, 'what makes a good pot?' For one person it may be one thing and another something else. And some people just don't care to ask, they just want to make stuff and not really go to this place. I can't really put into words what I think is a good pot. I know it when I see it. Sometimes pots are TOO good. These I don't like. My standards may be different than others. So maybe I'll think about what my standards are and how I am meeting them in my own work.
It was good to get to have this time with Linda and we planned on meeting again, this time with me bringing up some more pots and possibily getting together with a couple other potter's to have a 'pot on the spot' disscussion, over each other's work. That would be great for me.
It's been a heck of a week for both Sarah and myself. Sarah had a hard week and was on the go to work or school everyday. Yesterday was the last day of her practicum and I think she only has a couple more days of class to finish up. Her graduation date is May 6th. She has worked extremely hard and I am so proud of her. She keeps telling me she feels guilty that I have had things here at home all to myself. It has been hard for me, especially with the new puppy around, but it's all going to be worth it. Sarah will be a good counselor/therapist and I am happy she is doing what she is passionate about. She will be doing an internship over the summer. She has it narrowed down to two sites and will decide next week I think on where to go.
Kharma has been keeping me on my toes and testing my patience. I took her to puppy class again yesterday evening. It was lots of fun. I am learning a lot and she is too. We are working on 'sit', 'wait', 'down', 'come', controlled walking, and lots of play time. She's going to be good dog. I am meeting some new people in class too. Last night I met a lady who baby sat me when I was an infant. She went to school with my mom and dad.
I will be making some pizza dough today so I can grill a couple pizzas for supper tonight. I also need to finish off some pots in the studio. I was thinking I'd get away from here tomorrow, maybe head to the mountains to visit some friends, or go for a hike. I need to get out of here for a while and play.
If you are near Seagrove, NC this weekend be sure to go out for the annual Spring Kiln Opening. My friends Tom Gray and Pat Newby will have lots of cool new work at Tom's studio on Fork Creek Mill Rd.
I had my first official full workday in the new workshop today. Made some sections for two large jars, some mugs, small pitchers, a couple large pitchers and a board of animal jars. I am almost out of clay until what is in the racks drys out enough to use. That should be the end of the week since we are having some sunny weather. Made all of todays pots except for the animal jars on the new kickwheel. That baby will spin. It's not exactly set up right for me and my back isn't feeling really great right now. I need to figure out the height on the seat and add a couple of blocks to prop my feet on. Anyhow it's a good wheel.
Kharma was with me in the studio all day. Boy that's a chore having a puppy around. She loves to see the kickwheel spin. I had to install a barrier on the front to keep her from getting in there while I was working. I think she's about got me trained. I bet I got up from the wheel 20 times. It went something like this.....
'hey, I'll chew on this piece of plastic' =Ron gets up and puts it away
'hey, I'll jump on the potter's wheel' = Ron gets up, cuts a board and screws it in place as barrier.
'hey,I'll try to get up on the table and eat those pots'=Ron gets up and moves pots
'hey, I'll pee in the floor'=Ron cleans up pee
'hey I'll chew on the broom and drag it across the floor' =Ron gets up and puts away broom
'hey, I think I'll drag my blanket out of my crate and across the room'= you know what
Okay you get the picture. I bet Bernard Leach or Hamada never had to put up with this. I am well trained and didn't even get any treats.
This evening I finally started on my taxes! Ha. I always wait till the last minute.
I am still cleaning out from my old studio and moving things into the new space. Yesterday I was going through some papers and found the following journal entry from 1994.
"I just finished unloading my first real glaze load. It was very successful. I have not felt this good in a very long time. And I've never been so proud of anything I've made. I had to yell a few times I was so happy.
I just really feel good inside. Seeing these pots when I opened the lid. There were a couple right there on top that just caught my eye. Special pots. Shallow bowls. And as I went further down things were okay and better. Everything came out fine. It's all sitting on the table now all layed out. Beautiful. I hope it's like this every time!"
There were a few more pages too and I'll post them later. This page really moved me and I think how even now I love to open my kiln and see all the pots, how exciting it is and how wonderful it is to be a potter. I am thankful for my meager beginnings, I remember those early pots well and how proud I was to be making something that would be useful in people's home. Most of those pots ended up in friend's and family's houses and I still have some boxed up in the barn.
I can be very hard on myself sometimes to try to cram all I can into a day. Yesterday I was sort of hard on myself for forgetting to get some things while in town, and I felt like I'd wasted a lot of time and energy. I do desire to have a simple life, but I am coming to understand that it's not all the external things that hold me up or keep me from moving forward. It's that I am too demanding on myself sometimes and that I am not allowing myself enough time to play or feel what I am feeling. I cover up, push on, stuff the pain, and rush on through. The journal entry opened me up and allowed me to feel good yesterday and to realize that I have a great life, I have choices each day as to how I spend my time and energy. I get to make nice pots that people are proud enough to use in their homes everyday. That is a great feeling. Today I am going to be good to myself, enjoy the sunshine, relax and do what I want.
Jim from Gastonia sent in this image of an oval bowl. He tells how it ended up on his coffee table. "The story of how the your pot ended up on the coffee table is that I walked in from you last sale, hands full of things - mail, your pot, groceries, etc. - and set the pot on the coffee table. Not being the neatest housekeeper it just sat there until some guests came over and raved about the new pot I bought for my coffee table. I received many more compliments on the pot and its placement -- the placement which was totally accidential. The pot is still there today!"
Thanks Jim. Look for more Pots in Use images to come.
I have been working on getting all set up in my new studio. It's taken me longer than I expected but I am trying to get rid of stuff as I move over. I have gotten to the point in my work where I don't need a lot of tools or gadgets, just a couple throwing ribs, a cut off wire, some batts, sponge, a couple sticks I use to decorate with and the tools at the end of each of my arms. Of course there's more but my point is that I am getting rid of all I don't absoultely need. This includes buckets of dried up slip and glaze that have sat around for years. I am down to 2 glazes and 3 slips. Easy.
The clay is in the racks drying but I bet it will be late next week before it is ready to use.
I have borrowed a heavy contiential kick wheel from a friend. I think this is going to be helpful in making the large jars and bowls. I like working on kickwheels as well as my treadle wheel. Quiet, nice movement, easy.
I have been asked to join the Board at the Cleveland County Arts Council. It is a 3 year term and I start next week. Today I have to go in for a new member training.
I really want to get back to making pots soon. My next show is at the McAlpine Barn with the ClayMatters Guild in May. I also have galleries wanting pots. So I need to get busy.
Have a good weekend.
It's been a week since I found Kharma on the side of the road. And it's been a trying week. At a point when I am trying to make my life more simple and rid myself of unnecessary things, people, and work, I find I am constantly worrying about making this canine happy and tend to her. No, that's not her fault I know. I need some limits. Yet after yesterday I am not sure that this will be a long term thing or not. I'll have to keep you posted. In the meantime, I have said that in a week we will re-evaluate the situation and decide what to do. She's a sweet pup and is doing okay with her house training and learning to sit, come, and learn her name.
At a time when Sarah and I have been trying to figure out whether or not we want to have a child this is all good information. I know a baby would be a huge change for me, but at least it would be of the same species as me (I hope), poop and pee in a diaper, and be able to stay in a hotel with us if we decide to go somewhere. And eventually a child would speak my language, give and receive love without licking my face or biting my pants cuff, and learn things more fun than fetching a ball. (Like mixing clay, or setting the table. Just kidding) So this is all food for thought, and I am sure those of you with kids think I am silly for even comparing this, but really I have no frame of reference with kids of my own so I have to do the best I can with my past experiences (which honestly at times have not been great). So feel free to chime in Jen or Adrienne or Tom or whoever may have a thought out there. I am open to the core right now.
I guess I better so see if Kharma is ready to go out for potty, then I can get to work in the studio.
Enjoy the sun if it is shining on you today.
I like this image a lot. It was sent to me by Dale in York, SC. It shows some of my cups and mugs before he unloaded them from the dishwasher. It's really cool looking at the pots in this context, upside down and sort of askew. I like the way those squared bottoms are pressed in a bit and that you can see the wire cut on the one on the far right. Dale says he and Kate use these pots almost everyday. I am glad. This makes me want to go make some faceted teacups and square mugs.
I love daylight savings time. It is beautiful outside today and my buddy David just called to see if I wanted to go to the river and wet a line. Unfortunately I have to go to a clay guild board meeting today in Charlotte. What a bummer. I missed the last one so I can't really blow this one off I don't guess. (stupid meetings) Ha. Okay so this week I'm gonna try and move completely into my new workspace, I've sort of got my feet in two places now and I need to get all transitioned over. Also, I'll mix clay.
I want to really enjoy this summer. Do some fishing, canoeing, grilling, have time with friends, work in my garden and yard. Who wants to work all the time? Not me. I want to get on a good work schedule so I can get what I need to done and have time to play and relax. Life is too short.
Well that's it for now, I hope you all have a wonderful day. Hopefully this meeting won't last forever and hopefully we'll at least be outside.
Sunshine, blue skies, green grass, warm air, I love spring.
Here's my buddy Slate having his morning juice out of a cup I made. Slate is Tom Gray's son and they live in Seagrove. I guess I've known Slate since he was around 2 years old. It's hard to believe he's grown up so fast. We always have a good time when I visit, playing on the computer or just hanging out talking about what we have been doing.
For the record this is totally unlike me. Yes, I'm a good guy but I don't make it a habit to stop and pick up animals that are on the side of the road. Tuesday night was an exception. I had a great day Tuesday. Early that day I had been up to Ben Ousleys' farm to see a Border Collie demo. Herding up some sheep. Very cool. Later that day I made some cool connections regarding my work, my good emotional state of recent, and my future hopes and plans. So I was in a great mood and very open when at 9 pm while driving home from Charlotte I see a small dark image in the parking lot of the livestock barn up the road from my house. I pull in and see a little dog cowering at the edge of the lot. No one is there. No trucks,no people. I pursuade the pup to come to me. She is sweet and loving, alittle aprehensive, scared and hungry. I put her in the truck and drive home. Sarah couldn't belive it when I took her out to the studio and said "Look what I brought home." We named her Kharma and tonight we joined up and had our first obedience class. So it looks like we are keeping her. I did go up to the livestock barn to day and told the man there about the dog and where to send anyone who may have lost her. I also checked with the neighbors. Someone said tonight she looked like she had some Blue healer in her and I think maybe some German shepard, although I don't know for sure.
I'll try and get a better pic of her tomorrow. Here's one for now.
Here is the first picture in the Pots in Use series I am working on. My friend Mark Brackett from Shelby sent this in the day I posted the email. He was the first entry and won the free pot. Mark and I have been friends since high school and he and his wife Julie use lots of pots in their home, mine and others. The cup with the stars is mine and was made 3 or 4 years ago. I am not sure if I made that sugar jar or not. Thanks for the entry Mark.
I'll post more pictures in the coming days. If you'd like to send a picture of one of my pots in use you can send it to me at ronpots2@yahoo.com Try and keep the file size small.
I had a really good turnout for the Spring Pottery Sale. Thanks to you all who came. Lots of pots went out the door so I am getting geared up to make more. Many of the new pots were a hit including the bowls with tall feet, my new slab trays, and the little jugs. I sold one of the bigger pots too.
The new showroom space is really nice. I have pots all the time so if you are in the area or need a gift for someone, or yourself, please feel free to stop in.
I will be mixing clay in the next week or so. I had some clay tests in this last kiln load but they didn't deliver the results I was looking for. Actually I think this clay I am using is quite good, I am going to tweak it a bit this next go around.
I am ready for some warmer weather. The poplar trees are budding out and my grass is greening up. I will be happy when we start daylight savings time next weekend.
I had an awesome firing. Here are a few of the pots that came out of the kiln today. My Spring Sale is the weekend. I will be getting everything all set up tomorrow.
I peeped in the kiln with a flashlight tonight and things look pretty good. I'll unload tomorrow and get some pictures up here. I used more soda in this firing it will interesting to see what the total result looks like, I can tell by looking in tonight that I have more buildup on the pots in the front of the kiln.
I have been revisiting the book, The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. I did this 12 week workbook years ago and it really boosted my creativity at the time. I am thinking about doing it again. I certainly have more infomation now than I did 10 years ago. Today I was looking at the chapter on Recovering a Sense of Power. There are lots of good points in this part. The one that spoke the most to me was on Synchronicity. Yeah, I know it's a really awesome album by The Police, but more than that its about how life can unfold and possibilties can arise just by being open to the notion that I am not in control of anything at all. Cameron writes how "the hand of God, or good, [is] activated by our own hand when we act in behalf of our truest dreams, when we commit to our own soul." She says when we answer the call to our deepest selves and commit to it we set in motion what Jung called synchronicity. I totally believe this is true. Starting is always the hard part, the commitment. But when I have done it I have seen doors open, ideas blossom, and opportunities arise. I believe that when I am living my passion it infuses all around me and really sets things in motion that would otherwise not happen, or maybe I would not notice.
"Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish" -Ovid
Just writing this blog from time to time is a beginning that could lead to any number of things. Someone may write and say I'm full of crap, or someone may pick up The Artist's Way and start a lifelong path of creativity. I could get even get a call from Sting... doubtful. Either way it feels good to be sitting here thinking about life, the universe, and everything instead of being stuck on the couch in front of the idiot box. I think I'll go make myself a cup of tea.
My Spring Pottery Sale is this Sat. and Sun.
I loaded the kiln today. I'll light the burners tonight and fire off tomorrow. I am excited about many of the pots in this load, including the bigger jars. I also have some new clay tests and a few pots made by a group of kids who visited last week. I plan on using more soda in this firing than I have been, trying for a more glassy, wet look on the pots. I'll be putting up the pics of the finished firing on Thursday so check back then.
On a totally unrelated note, I went to the dentist this morning for my checkup and cleaning. I have great teeth! That's what the dentist said. I always liked going to my dentist as a kid, Dr. Burris, he was really nice and always got me to add numbers in my head while he checked my teeth. I had thoughts of becoming a dentist but, well, I am a potter. Good choice probably. Anyhow remember, you don't have to floss all your teeth...only the ones you want to keep. :-)
Happy First Day of Spring! It sure didn't feel like it today, cold and rainy
Guess what I did today? That's right...more painting!! Ahhh, exterior doors on the studio. I think I am finished for awhile. I don't want to see a paintbrush for a year.
Today is the day that I asked Sarah to marry me back in 1999. I am so glad she said "Yes". I have an awesome wife.
I am off tonight to Charlotte to Clayworks Studios and RedSky Gallery to see some friends who are having shows there. I'll be hooking up with my pal Lester who for an evening of fun and maybe a Guiness or two. Sarah is off to Durham for a workshop for the weekend. We'll miss having her along.
That's it for now. Gotta go put on something green.
Don't forget to mark your calendars for my upcoming Spring Sale. March 25 & 26.
My Spring Pottery Sale is Sat. March 25th 10 until 5 and Sun. March 26th Noon until 4. The new showroom will be finished by then and I'll have lots of good pots. I plan to fire a last minute load the week of the sale. This firing will include 6 large jars as well as some smaller vases and bottles along with my regular fare. I hope the big pots make it through the firing okay, they are made in two sections so I hope they don't come apart. (knock on wood). I'll be posting some pics over the next week as I finish things up, load the kiln, and fire. So check back often.
I hope many of you will make it to the Sale. I am excited about my new space, it really looks great. I feel like I'm 'uptown'.
Today, I'll be mixing up some clay body tests. I have in my mind what I want, it's just a matter of finding the right balance of materials to get the results I want. I am really drawn to pots with a slightly heavy coating of salt/soda glaze, a wet looking surface, some areas that are 'blasted', and nice flashing. This all comes from several factors, clay body, how the kiln is stacked, the amount of salt/soda that is introduced into the kiln, and kiln atmosphere,just to name a few.
This past weekend I attended the NC Potter's Conference in Asheboro, NC. I had a great time. The three presenters were all from Australia, Janet Mansfield, Owen Rye, and Chester Nealie. They made some great pots, showed slides, and had lively talks and interaction with the audience and one another. Owen gave a talk and showed slides on Australian woodfired ceramics and Janet gave a presentation entitled "State of Ceramics, A World Overview".
I learned a good way to make bigger jars by watching Janet. I made two on Monday they are pictured here. The tallest is 19". I hope to have some of these fired before my sale on March 25 & 26.
I'll write more about the conference later, for now I need to get to work.
Here is a poem a friend passed on to me:
There is a vitality, a life force,a quickening that is translated through you into action,and because there is only one of you in all time,this expression is unique.
And if you block it,it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is;nor how valuable it is; Nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you.
Keep the channel open…No artist is pleased…
There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction,a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.
Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille
I am falling down on the job here aren't I?
Okay so this week has been both productive and fun. I loaded the kiln today, fire tomorrow. I spent a good amount of time this week volunteering at the Arts Council getting ready for the Bowling For Dollars Soup Luncheon. This happened yesterday and was a huge success as it has been in the past. We served up about 200 bowls of soup to folks who had bought a ticket to come in a pick out a handmade bowl. All the bowls were donated by the potters who are participating in the Treasures of the Earth Pottery Show and Sale going on now at the Arts Council. Yesterday my job was carrying big pots of soup from the upstairs kitchen down to the serving line, as well as keeping up with other things like "we're out of bread go up and get some more" etc. All the ladies in the kitchen work really hard and are super great to work with. I made them all cranberry scones for breakfast.
Sarah has been in Durham at a Conference with her school mates for a few days. I had a couple guys over for pizza last night. Looks like tonight I'm headed for Chen's for some Chinese takeout... best in town.
This old machine is acting up, it some kind of weird reboot, that's never happened before. I hope it doesn't sieze up and die on me.
I'll try and do better this coming week getting some posts up.
Have a great weekend! Get out and play!
How to Cook Everything is a 30 min show that comes on PBS here on Saturdays at 2:30. I am usually out doing something during the day on Saturday so I don't get to see it often. Today I made it in and caught it. In the show Mark Bittman visits a chef and sort of takes him/her on in their resturant or kitchen. It's very laid back and fun. Bittman is my kind of cook. He uses simple ingredients and cooking methods. The chef he is paired up with is usually way more complicated. So the premise of the show is that the chef will cook a dish and then Bittman will do his version, which is always quicker and easier, most of the time using very similar ingredients. Each does two dishes per episode. Anyhow I finally visited the website today www.howtocookeverything.com and can't wait to try out some of the dishes.
I don't have a lot of new stuff to report but I thought I'd at least put something out here. I have been making pots for the next firing which is in a couple weeks. More new pitchers and I hope to fire all the special order dinner ware that I have made and get it to the folks who have been waiting.
I am reading Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth. I learned about Campbell after reading a post on Joe Bennion's Journal page. This is very interesting to me, maybe I'll post more on it, but it's probably better just to go to the library and get a copy. I have just finished Chapter 1 and I am totally blown away by the relevance of it to this day and time.
I can't leave without saying that Dick Cheney must be a total idiot, what did he do mistake his friend for a terrorist? I guess he follows the shoot first, ask later policy. I have heard reports that put it off on the man shot, saying he should have announced himself. That's true but I learned when I was 10 years old not to shoot without identifying what I was shooting. The bright orange hat is usually a good give away that it's not a quail, deer, etc.
I have probably just red flagged myself. Oh well. See ya.
Teapots. The one on the right has avery slip and trapped some carbon on the spout.
Pitchers. Left has heavy gray soda deposit.
New animal pot design.
Cups with ladle poured slips
Large fat jar.
Flying bird jar
Fat jar with indentations
Tall pitchers. About 1 3/4 qt. capacity 
As promised, here is a picture of the last pitchers I made. This was just before being loaded into the bisque this morning. I can't wait to fire these guys. Sarah says these are the best pitchers I've ever made. Nice, tall, and light.
I had planned on getting a good post up this weekend. Instead all I managed to do was sort of botch things up a bit. I changed my template for the blog and wiped out my HaloScan comment setup. Now I am having difficulty getting that going and I have yet to reinsert my links. So be patient. I want to get a pic of my new pitchers up and a shot of the new workshop. I should be moving in there by the end of the week....I hope.
I promise a better update early this week.
Hey Folks. Hope you are all well out there in computer land. It's been a rainy day here on Wallace Grove but a good day. My friend Steve and his wife Charlotte from SC stopped by on their way to Asheville. Steve and I became friends a few years back when he stopped in my booth at a pottery show. He has been making pots for several years and is coming along quite well. He spent the fall at Penland in the Concentration Class. While he was visiting tonight he showed me some pots he had made including some great pitchers. He gave me a little tip he learned at Penland and after he left I made some of the best pitchers I've made in a while. Thanks Steve. I'll try and get a pic of these after I get the handles on them.
Steve is also a pizza lover, so we talked a bit about dough before he left. It just happens that I made pizza for me and Sarah and our painter friend Sally last night. Oh it was so good. We had one spinach, sundried tomato, and goat cheese, which was on a spicy olive oil brushed crust. And one Fontina, Parmigiano-Reggiano, over a spicy olive oil crust that had dollops of thick marinara sauce dotted on top. I have gotten to where I prefer Fontina to Mozzarella. Of course if you get a really nice fresh Mozz then that's hard to beat.
My workshop at Clayworks this past Saturday went well and I had lots of fun. Thanks for everyone who came.
I often complain about my computer so I was also excited this past week when the new iMacs came out. I hope to get one this year (if pottery sales are good). I also have to see about getting cable trenched in down here. I got a $350 estimate from Time Warner to do it, I'm gonna see if I can't do the trenching in from the road myself to cut that cost down. For now I'm on the slow road.
That's it for now.
What a day I had yesterday. I didn't realize until around one o clock exactly what all I needed to get done before the day ended. I started the day off smacking my left index finger with a slap stapler and busting loose a big chuck of skin just below the nail. A few hours later as I was finishing off working on the drywall I fell off the top step of the 26" stepstool. As I lay on the concrete I began to realize this wasn't exactly my day. What is up? I have injured myself more in the past two months than I have in a year.
Well, then it dawned on me that I needed to scrape all the kiln shelves, glaze some pots, (oh no, not enough glaze in the bucket) mix some glaze, make cone packs, and mix my yellow glaze tests. Plus I had promised to cook manicotti for supper and have it ready when Sarah got home from school. I wanted to get all the pottery stuff done so that I could load the kiln Tuesday morning and be finished before 3 pm (because I have an appointment in Charlotte that evening) Okay, stress level is maxxed out.
Solution...no firing this week. I decided this morning (as I still had pots to glaze) that I wasn't going to bust my hump and probably accidently damage myself further just to get a load of pots fired. It can wait till next week.
Today, I will work on the drywall finishing (and not falling) and will glaze the pots at a leisurely pace. Remember to breathe.
There's a lot happening in the pottery this week. I am firing on Wednesday. So today I have the last of the pots drying by the woodstove. I need to mix up some test glazes, I am looking for a good yellow glaze to use inside pots. I need to clean all the shelves for the kiln and make wadding too. So fire on Wed. unload on Friday.
On Saturday I'll be giving a workshop at Clayworks in Charlotte. I am really looking forward to this. It will be fun to interact with others. Being a studio potter involves lots of time working alone and after a while this really takes a toll on me. I need some good energy time with others. Saturday night is the ClayMatters Pottery Guild annual party. That will be fun too, there is always lots of good food, company, and pottery talk.
Sarah and I celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary on Sat. Jan. 14. We were married in 2000 on the beach in Negril, Jamaica. Oh to be there now. How lucky I am to have such a beautiful, wonderful wife. She never ceases to amaze me. She is the most positive, compassionate, caring person I have ever known. Her trust in life and what is to come is inspiring to me. I look forward to our many years together.
Saturday night we went to Charlotte with some friends who had invited us to the Tosco Music Party. We had a great night. The T.M.P. happens a few times a year at Spirit Square and sells out all 700+ seats in a short time. At Tosco each performer does one or two numbers. So we saw 17 acts all for the low price of $12. My favorite of the night was David Mead. Check him out.
No this isn't a post about dear old George and his secrets. It's about studio construction progress. Over the past week we got the drywall hung in the showroom and all the paneling and ceiling primered in the workshop. Wow, that's looking good. I am going to start finishing the drywall today. The showroom will get ceramic tile on the floor and a nice color on the walls. The workshop will keep the concrete floor and some sort of light color on the walls.
I've been avoiding my computer lately for several reasons. One, it is slow. Two, I have been making pots and working on studio construction again which has kept me busy and when I come in I just want to chill out. I called the cable company yesterday to see about getting cable ran out here so we can get a high speed connection. I should hear back from them next week.
Anyhow I will be firing next week and I am excited about that. I have a good load of pots made up consisting of dinnerware, teapots, bowls, mugs, and bottles that I plan on side firing. I hope to get a few pitchers made today.
On Jan. 21 I will be giving a workshop at Clayworks Studios in Charlotte. I am looking forward to that. It's been awhile since I have been infront of a group of people to make and talk about pots. I always learn a lot about myself when I do this.
All the drywall is hung in the new studio showroom. I will start finishing it tomorrow and painting next week. The walls in the workshop are covered in paneling that I got for free. I will paint it a light color. So things are coming along in there. I plan to be all moved in time for my Home Sale at the end of March.
Okay that's it for now. Sorry for the long lapse between posts. I promise to do better. I'll be sure to get pics up of pots and studio construction soon.
Yesterday I got back into full swing in the studio making plates and bowls for some dinnerware orders I need to fill. It was a good day to be in working as the weather outside was very rainy. Sarah worked in her studio too finishing up some special orders. It's nice having her home from school and having some time together to spend like we used to when we were both working at home full time. Today I'll cut feet on all these plates and bowls and get to work on some other things.
I got back to making my usual pots for the salt/soda kiln on this week. Monday I made some cups and yesterday I made a couple boards of animal jars which I will finish up today. This is the time of year when I am trying new things so yesterday I experimented with some new lids and jar shapes, I am not sure they will be successful but it is good to try.
We had a good Christmas. I got a new yoga mat which I hope to put to good use this year, I really need to be taking better care of myself. I didn't over indulge in all the holiday food and sweets this year, also no sodas or alcohol. Pretty good for a guy who has a hard time getting out of Harris Tetter without reaching for a free cookie from the kids ballon stand.
My clay should be coming out of the racks this week, so I'll be stocked up for a while. Tomorrow we'll be heading to Charlotte for the day and we plan on having a good meal at Lang Van our favorite Vietnamese resturant. YUM.
That's it for now.
Sorry for the long lapse between posts. Here is a bit of an update as to what I have been doing.
I have been to the Mint Museum of Craft and Design twice in as many weeks to see the Don Reitz exhibiton. AWESOME!
The county was hit by a major winter storm less than a week ago that produced mainly ice, leaving many without power. We were spared.
I made two earthenware slab paintings using commercial slips for my niece and nephew. I have to fire them and then I'll post a picture.
I haven't read any books since The Power of One. Mostly keeping myself entertained with magazines, pottery books, and Food TV.
Today I FINALLY mixed clay. I am glad that's done.
I want to get back to work in the studio after Christmas working on some dinnerware orders and pots for an upcoming exhibiton. I have been drawing some but don't know if any of this will work it's way onto any pots. The wall slabs were fun to do and may be where I put my clay-drawing energy for now, as opposed to drawing on pots. This will allow me to experiment and learn some mark making skills without ruining pots.
I have changed the 'comment' software for this Journal Page. I think it is easier to use now. Give it a go if you don't mind, I welcome your comments, etc.
I have mainly been chilling out since the Home Sale. I did make two trips out of town this week to deliver pots to galleries. Other than that I am not putting much effort into anything except reading, and drawing a bit. I just finished reading A Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. It is an awesome book, I can't say I've read anything that good in a long, long time. It is set in South Africa in the early forties and follows a young boy into adulthood. It had me laughing, crying, cheering, cringing, feeling angry, frustrated, elated, and over joyed. And it has a hell of an ending. Read it soon, your local library probably has a copy. I had to have a little history lesson via Wikipedia regarding certain peoples referred to in the book, ie the Boers and Afrikaners.
I need to mix clay on the next semi warm day, hopefully next week. I have a couple of dinnerware orders to fill and I am looking forward to exploring some new ideas.
It is wonderful having Sarah home from school for an extended period. I don't think she has to go back until the second week in Jan. Right now she's in the kitchen making pecan pies.
I have had a successful Homesale. Thanks to everyone who made it out to the pottery. I still have a nice selection of pots on the shelves and I imagine I'll get some folks dropping by between now and the 25th to get some gifts.
I plan on getting some work done on the new studio in Dec. and Jan. I hope to be in there by the March Sale. I am also wanting to get some work done on the kiln.
Tomorrow I'll be delivering some pots to Southern Pottery Gallery in Columbia, SC. Peter Lenzo and Virginia Scotchie are the owners and good friends. It will be nice to have a visit.
That's all for now. I will try and write a more indepth entry later.
I had a good turnout this past weekend for my Home Sale. It goes on next weekend too and I am open by chance or by appointment through the end of the year. I still have a nice selection of pots to choose from.
The trays with the drawings were a big hit. I also had a square vase with a drawing of flowers that sold first thing. These pots with drawings were fun to do and I plan on making more to see how I feel about them. My January firing will have some more trays, and vases, as well as jars, cups, and bowls with drawings. My main concern is that these aren't kitchy. I want them to maintain a bit of an edge. Coming from a sort of self imposed strict Leachian background I have a hard time 'playing' and being childlike with clay. Historcally man has drawn on cave walls, pots, animal skins, canvas, etc to express his life, journey, everyday occurances, animals, objects and numerous other things. Why should I have a hang up about drawing on a few pots? I have always been drawn to pots with imagery, yet I was never good with a brush so I gave that up pretty quickly. I have drawn since I was a child. My mom was a constant doodler. She'd talk on the phone to my aunt and fill up a page with doodles in pen and ink. When people ask about my art background I say I was a drawer and that I liked to build things with wood. It seems inevitable that I'd eventually draw on some pots.
For inspiration and validation I am going to the library at ASU on Wednesday to look at books on African and Indian art and pottery, textiles, petroglyphs and anything else historical.
I guess the main thing I should do is keep an open mind, have fun, play, and let my creativity flow. Life is too short to get caught up in over analyzing al this stuff.
I am getting all set up for the Home Sale which starts tomorrow. I unloaded the kiln today. Here are a few trays with drawings. I have been wanting to do something like this for a long time and finally just did it. They are really fun. I had a laugh when they came out of the kiln. I have more with fish, and different variations on the birds. My favorites are the two headed dog and the thunder chicken.
I have a studio full of pots!
Today I am getting the studio cleaned up and all the displays set up for our Holiday Open House and Pottery Sale. I fired the kiln yesterday so there will be some hot pots out on Friday. These include some limited edition trays with drawings on them. I have been wanting to do this for a while. They were really fun to make. The images are kind of cartoon-y, chickens, two headed dogs, giant fish, tiny humans, just fun stuff.
I will have a large selection of pots for the kitchen as well as some more decorative bottles and vases. The hot item this fall has been the animal jars with birds and turtles on the tops. I have some of these coming out of the kiln too.
I hope you'll make it out to see me and Sarah. This is always a good time.
Two weekends:
Friday Nov 25 10 am till 5pm
Saturday Nov 26 10 am till 5pm
Sunday Nov 27 Noon till 4
Saturday Dec 3 10am till 5 pm
Sunday Dec 4 Noon till 4
We'll have hot cider and snacks, lots of pots and holiday cheer
I will be unloading the kiln tomorrow. I''ll try and get some pics up between bites of turkey.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The Philbeck Studios Newsletter is now online. Click here to open the pdf file.
Please send this to your friends, family, and co-workers who may be interested in what I am doing. Thanks!!
la, la, wish it was Sunday, la, la
Remember that song by The Bangles?
Okay today wasn't really manic instead it was sort of slow and sticky and fuzzy and cloudy. Nice. Maybe it has to do with this build up of sinus pressure I am battling. I did get some pots made. Today is my last wet day for a while I think. I will fire next Monday and my Open House is the Friday, Sat. and Sun. after Thanksgiving, as well as the following weekend.
Philbeck Studios Newsletters went out today and I will have a pdf file up for viewing ASAP.
The show I did in Shelby this past Saturday was a great success for me. Lots of my local customers came out and got pots. I am so grateful for the local support I have. It's cool knowing I have pots in so many homes nearby.
I also connected with someone who bought a pot of mine from a garden center over 10 years ago. He send me a pic of it today, it was a pretty good pot, a shallow bowl with handles, and it has been used daily all this time. That was pretty neat.
I am going back down to throw a few yunomi tonight. Those will be the last pots for this load. Tomorrow I will cut feet on plates and bowls etc, slip pots and get things drying out. The warm weather has been helpful in that regard.
Later.
The American Craft Council show is over so there is some relief on my part although I still have plenty to do before the end of the year. This was my first year in ACC so it was exciting to be there. My booth and pots looked great. I was proud to be part of this great group of craftspeople from all across the nation.
I heard that public attendance was down this year which explains the lower than normal sales. I did come away with many new customers as well as a few who stroked my ego a bit (of course I am totally uneffected by that). :-)
I saw many familiar faces as well, and felt like I was the local boy on the block, at least on my row in the show.
One highlight was when Tom Gray from Seagrove showed up late in the day on Friday. I couldn't believe he was there. Tom has been so supportive of me from my beginnings in clay and I owe so much to him. He always has time for me when I call and we now regularly bounce ideas off one another and get inspired by each other's work. It was so good to see him and walk around the show together and then have dinner afterwords.
I came right home and got back to work making pots. I have some fresh ideas that are eating away at me and I plan to fire again just in time for the Home Sale, which is the weekend after Thanksgiving. I am doing some drawing on some pots, inspired by African art and Pueblo Indian pottery. This will be done mostly on some trays, and jars, maybe plates too.
Anyhow I better get to work. More later I hope.
Unloading the back stack.
Soda!!!
Hot yunomi.
Keg. This pot was influenced by a picture I saw of a pot made in Korea in the 15th century. 
Thumbs up!! Killer firing.
88.7 fm is featuring Frank Zappa's A Weasel ate my Flesh ( I think) tonight in it's entirety. Frank is out there, I bet he and George Orr would have had some good times.
I loaded the kiln today. It was a bit more of a challenge than usual and took most of the day. Lots of wide pots, bowls, and tall pots, bottles and vases. Not many small pots. Anyhow it's done and the burners are lit. I will finish the firing proper tomorrow midday.
Listened to NPR today, Harriet Miers is history, it will interesting to see who choice #2 is.
Today's music: Warren Zevon. Dale Duncan turned me on to him. Very cool.
It's a bit chilly out this morning. There is a light frost on the ground. I guess fall/winter has finally decided to show up. It won't be long and I'll have to bring over a load of firewood for the woodstove.
I'm on my second cup of tea and the day is off to a good start. I have practiced my morning meditation and journaling and got in a little positive reading. I have vowed to be good to myself today and practice being impeccible with my word. That last part comes from the book The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz which I highly recommend.
I will be glazing pots today and loading the kiln tomorrow.
More later maybe. Remeber to smile today, even if you don't feel like it.
Today was good. I am still finishing up pots for next week's firing. I cut feet on some yunomi, assembled some bottles,and mixed up some test slip.
This evening I spotted a very small lichen colored toad out on a length of plastic pipe. He was just hanging out and sat still while I shot several pics.
Large serving bowl that got some great soda action.
Slipped yunomi that I threw yesterday and finished up today.
Square dish with black inlay from the firing. This was an experiment. I like it.
More pots 
This cute, little guy was hanging around outside this evening. 
I can see the light at the end of the pottery tunnel...or is that just the view through the peep hole in the kiln. (hum, I don't know if that's a good play on that or not) anyway I am at the end of the making pots part for the ACC show. Today I made some yunomi and assembled bottles. Unloaded the kiln too. Good firing. I'll try to get pics up soon. My friend Dale Duncan from York, SC stopped by while I unloaded. We had a good visit. Dale is an excellent potter. Then the guy from the propane company came to refill my tank, I haven't even looked at the bill. No reason to ruin a perfectly good day.
I've gotten a few emails commenting on this journal site. Keep 'em coming, I like hearing what's going on with you guys. I have realized it is a bit of a pain to comment directly to these posts via the comment link. So just email me ronpots2@yahoo.com
Here is the quote from dailyzen.com yesterday. Very appropitate to my living Intentionally bit.
Truth is perfect and complete in itself. It is not something newly discovered; It has always existed. Truth is not far away. It is nearer than near. There is no need to attain it, Since not one of your steps leads away from it.
- Dogen
My desire is to live from my Truth.
Sorry for the long lapse between posts. I have had my nose to the wheel making stuff for the upcoming ACC show in Charlotte. Today I am firing my kiln. (it pretty much does it own thing, I just have to increase the gas pressure now and then up until the time I have to put the salt/soda in. That will happen in a couple hours so I have some time to kill).
I have been thinking about the purpose of this journal site. Initally it was going to be all business/pottery related stuff. Lately I have thought it would be more interesting to include more personal entries, ie what I am thinking about, struggling with (clay and otherwise), thoughts, ideas, rants, ramblings, etc. Basically keeping it REAL , which is something I strongly desire to do in my life. Real and simple. The simple part seems to be more complicated than I thought. Well so does the keeping it Real part. Hell, it all seems complicated until I can slow my brain down long enough to see that everything is temporary and is probably not going to kill me so why worry so much about it all. ( now is this more interesting than me talking about studio construction or would like me to stick to that?) Well anyhow, the simple life seems to require lots of planning. Being Intentional. Like getting enough groceries in one trip to the market to last for the whole week, and before that planning a menu of what I'll be preparing. It's so easy to get caught up in the fast track way of life and just throw my hands up in the air and go to Taco Bell. Sickening. Living intentially is a strong desire of mine. (That and wanting a new laptop, but that's another thread). Being intentional...what does that mean? First, it requires me to slow down. Way down. And that's hard for me. I tend to take the stairs two at a time. And often do the same with other daily activities. "Activities", "work", "do". These words have strong meanings to me. My father's work ethic is heavily conditioned into me. I struggle with "doing nothing", "relaxing", and "playing".
Okay well that's a bit for now. Putting this out there is a bit uncomfortable but kind of helpful. I have kept a Journal for over 20 years, writing daily. Never showing it to anyone. So this is a bit fun. Don't worry, I won't be going into any deep psychological details here. I'm not ready to be that Real, plus it would probably cost me. But this may be fun. Or I may just hit 'Delete'
Later. Gotta check the kiln.
