Studio time

Kharma did well with me in the studio yesterday. It also helped that Sarah was home all day and kept her for a spell in the house with her. I got lots of pots made and hope to finish them up today. It has been nice having Sarah home from school and work. It's been like old times when we were both working full time as artists. We have been able to have lunch together, and a nap, and just hang out a little in the mornings before we get started.
Sarah has decided to do her internship this summmer at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, she will be counseling patients there. I think this will be an awesome opportunity for her. She starts the 3rd week in May.

Weather

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.

Is this any good?

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.

Mug Shots

Here are a couple of Pots in Use images sent in by friends Wanda (behind the computer) and Tina. They both show my mugs in use. The one Tina is using is from way back.

Thanks ladies!

Friday, Finally

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.

New workspace

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.

July 11, 1994

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.

Pot in use

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.

Friday

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.

Life wth Kharma

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.

Pots After Use

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.

Daylight Savings

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.

Pots in Use

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.

New Additon to Family

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.

Pots in Use

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.

Great Weekend

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.

Showroom

Here are a few images of the new showroom space all set up for the Spring Sale.

Great Firing

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.

More Pots

Kiln and The Artist's Way

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.