Feeling better

I am feeling more like myself this morning. I hope to get some feet cut on some bowls and finish up my animal jars today. I'm not planning on overdoing it though.
I spent a good amount of time journalling yesterday and had time to call one of my favorite potters, Clary Illian, to ask her some questions. It was good to catch up with her. Here is a link to an article from 1999, read that and I won't have to say anything else about Clary. Except...she rocks!!

On Hold

I've been under the weather for the past couple of days. I have flu like symptoms, fever, achy body, headache. I am doing better this morning, but still plan on taking it easy and not getting in the studio. I took this photo when I went to out to feed Karma this morning. Everything is on hold, wrapped up in plastic until I get to it.

Sunday

Rain on our tin roof.
Laying on the couch.
Beatles-Love.
Reading...Anne Lamott &
newly arrived Ceramic Review backissues.
Hot cocoa in a handmade mug.
Karma bouncing around.
Fire in the woodstove.
Nap.
Rest.
Relax.
My kind of Sunday.

22 Beginners

On Saturday, Clayworks held 'Muddy Fun Day' in a effort to get folks interested in signing up for classes this upcoming session. I was asked to lead two, 2 hr. sessions which would introduce people to the studio and allow them some time on the wheel. We had 10 people in the first session and 12 in the second. Thank goodness I had some great volunteers to help me. It's a lot of work trying to coach someone through stages of making pots. Everyone had a great time and I think we definitely will get some to sign up for the beginners classes.

I really take for granted how far I've come in my own potting. Of course there is much to still learn, but I can still remember how frustrating it was not to be able to center the clay on the wheel head and how long it took to get the basics down. Some days it's still a struggle.

I am looking forward to getting back in the studio tomorrow.

Food, Tea, Pottery, Travel

I somehow found myself at Harris Salat's weblog last night. I don't know how, but I am glad to have found it. I love food, cooking, travel (and the idea of traveling more), pottery, tea, and all these things are found on Harris' site. The story of the olive oil touched me. My dad loves fried eggs too, over easy, but cooked in butter, LOTS of butter.

I love the image of the guy holding that big round of bread. He looks like he's thrilled to have his picture taken. And the size of that oven rocks!

I recently ordered some tea from Uptons and they included a free sample of darjeeling. Low and behold there is a story of tea pickers harvesting what will become a darjeeling tea on the weblog.

If you look on the side bar under catagories you'll find a story on Japanese potter Shiro Tsujimura.

I haven't explored Harris' site more yet but its a good start.

As far as traveling goes I have high hopes. I have a list of the places I'd love to go. It includes: Japan, China, Italy, Indonesia, Australia, England, Wales, and more. I have specifics but won't go into them. I don't know if I'll make it around the world but it's a dream worth having. I regret I didn't travel in my 20's. I have time left but need to get started. Sarah and I are talking about going to England this year. We also talked about Greece recently.

Okay that's it for now. Time to get supper on the table.

Rob Barnard

Rob Barnard is a potter living in Virginia. I have been visiting his website lately checking out his new work and reading some of his essays. I have to read some of his stuff twice before it sinks in, but it is well done and gives one something to chew on. www.rob-barnard.com
If you have trouble reading against the white background, click on 'printer version'. I found this helpful.

Today I got some pots packed and delivered for an exhibition coming up next month in North Wilkesboro, NC. It is a show featuring potters from the clay guild I belong to, Claymatters. After lunch I made some cups, tankards, and small jars. I realized that I have quite a lot coming up in the next two months and need to really start focusing on what I want to make. I jotted down a 'to make' list. I should have plenty of time over the next two weeks to get it finished and bisqued. I will fire at the end of January.

Tuesday

I got a late start but managed to get a few pots made today. Here's the 'Before' and 'After' shots.

These will get handles, feet, etc. tomorrow. I also finally got some test slips mixed too. I am looking to expand my palette a bit. I am the worst at mixing stuff up, I actually started doing it yesterday and botched up a recipe that only had 3 materials in it. That's pretty bad, need to pay better attention. This is one reason I am not a 'glaze person'.

Happy New Year

Another year come to an end. I hope you all have a great 2007 and that it brings much love, peace, and happiness.

Today has been a good day, Sarah and I went out for breakfast, after sleeping in a bit. We just finished cleaning the house. That's a good way to start the new year, with a spic and span cleaning job. Karma has been hanging out with us too.

I plan on putting in a full week of work in the pottery starting tomorrow, working towards a firing in a couple weeks. I have enjoyed my time off and have been thinking about new pots or new takes on old forms. I reached up to the top shelf in the kitchen today and pulled down a lovely small jar made by the late Byron Temple. It's simplicity and fullness really speaks to me. I'd like to be able to make that pot.

I hope you'll keep checking in this year, and pass my Journal page on to others who you think may be interested. One of my goals for the future is to get more folks coming out to the pottery. I will still do a few shows to get out and be seen, but I'd love not to have to do that someday. Thanks to all of you who have been supportative over the years, it means so much for me to continue to be able to do what I love. Ron.

What day is it anyhow?

Thursday. Right. Well it seems like a Monday. Sarah and I have spent almost everyday since Sunday over at her folks. All her siblings and their children came into town for Christmas. We went back and forth (which is only about 12 miles) for meals and gift exchanges and more meals, and snacks. I always eat way too much over Christmas. We all celebrated Sarah's parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary yesterday. It was really nice. Everyone has gone home as of this morning and Sarah returned to work too. So I guess that leaves me here and I suppose I should get into the pottery and make a few dishes. I have re-read Gail Nichols book on Soda glazing over the past few days. I am getting excited about my next firing. I am seriously considering rebuilding my kiln this year (if I can afford to buy some new bricks). Anyhow, we'll see about that later.
Okay check back in and maybe I'll have a few images of whatever I get made today. Happy Thursday!! Ha.

Kiln Work

Today I got the fireboxes cast. Since it was so warm out, 70 degrees, I went ahead and dipped 150 new IFBs in greenpatch for a new door. I have them all layed out in my clay racks drying. It's almost like having a new kiln, or at least part ways.

Friday

I finished up a few bakers and some lasagna dishes today. The latter are new and not quite 9x13, I'll have to see how they turn out when fired. I also did some running around Shelby picking up some groceries and odds and ends. I am glad to be finished with my Christmas shopping, Sarah is going out tomorrow. She must be insane.

I am going to try and cast my fire boxes tomorrow. I went to Concord yesterday and picked up some castable as well as some ceramic fiber and Greenpatch and a few other things. All for free. Thanks Randy! It will all come in handy in the future.

Well I hope you all have a good holiday. I may get a post or two in over the next week, but I imagine we'll all be busy doing something.

Pots

Here are the few pots from yesterday. I got the mugs handled and the feet cut on the bowls today. I am going to be making small runs of things for this next kiln. Mostly kitchenware.



I got some Christmas shopping finished up today. I think I'm all done with Sarah and I even got her gifts wrapped today. She'll be surprised when she gets home tonight.

Bowls

I made some bowls and a few cups today. I will get a pic up tomorrow after I get the feet cut on the bowls. I was trying a combing technique on the bowls with a toothed card I made. I'm not really into it. I need to just get back to my pots and let things evolve slowly as they will. I also need to get my kiln floor finished.

It was 74 degrees here today. Crazy.

New Week Ahead

I am planning on making some pots tomorrow. Maybe a few cups and bowls. I have to do something, I'm going nuts. I have some slip tests to mix up, I hate measuring all that stuff out but it has to be done. We had a good weekend, several visitors including our friends Lex and Michelle who brought their new pup George out. He and Karma had a good play time. We also celebrated my dad turning 60 Saturday night. My 83 year old grandmother was in good spirits and wacked balloons around with her great grand kids.

It's been warm here and will be close to 70 degrees tomorrow. It's hard to believe it's almost Christmas, Sarah's family will be arriving late next week.

Color

This is a drawing I did back in October of a Snickers bar. I figured out tonight that I could color it in using my PhotoImpact program. This is the first time I've done anything like this. Pretty cool. Most of my drawings are pen and ink line drawings. I have been looking at Oliver Kugler's work. He is amazing. Clicking on this image will open up an image that's a little larger. Here's another link to Oliver.

Diagonal

I worked on my kiln some today. I piped one burner around to the front so that now I have a diagonal setup, one burner firing in from the front and the other opposite, firing in from the back. This seems to be a popular setup among UK potters who fire salt and soda. At least that's what I have gleaned from looking at books and websites. My next firing is going to be more of an experiment with this new set up and I'll probably use little or no salt and more soda. After my last firing I have little to lose. Gail Nichols' book has inspired me and January is a good time to try some things (even though I do have some pots due for a show in early Feb. and I am way behind on some special orders). Well, if they get in this load they may be the best pots ever, who knows. I have found some castable in Concord and will try and pick it up early next week.

Today I also replaced the doorknobs on both front doors. Twice. I didn't like the finish on the first ones once I got them on, so off they came and back I went to the hardware store. I always end up doing stuff twice, I never seem to get it right on the first go. I'm happy with them now.

Ideas

Here are some qualities I'd like to work on in my pots. Movement, looseness, simplicity, texture, directness, line quality, gesture. That's mostly in the throwing phase. In the kiln I'd like to see color, color change, areas of shiny and matt, salt/soda build up, color change on edges (salt/soda or carbon trapping). I want to work on a new wadding too so the wad marks aren't so stark white. I want to play with some new handles, knobs, and lugs. I have some new slips to try also. Whew, I better get in the studio soon if I'm going to do all this.

Today I am going to Charlotte to drop off a pot, pick up some pots, and have lunch with a friend. I'll probably hit a shop or two also, I need a new drawing journal. I've gotten sort of picky about these and right now I like the Moleskine 5x8 Sketchbook. Here's a cool site featuring Moleskines.

Radio

I am having sort of weird days since I'm not making pots or working in the pottery. Today and yesterday I spent the morning working on bookwork, updating my mailing and email list and messing around on the computer. Today I hit the hardware store and the grocery, I had lunch in the truck inbetween the two and listened to All Things Considered on NPR. I enjoy radio very much, especially NPR stations and college town stations I can pick up on the computer. Right now I'm streaming WEXP from Seattle, Washington. I don't have an extensive CD or album collection anymore and I don't own an iPod or MP3 player of anykind. I enjoy hearing good quality programming, variety, with cool DJ's, live in studio guests and bands, and the like. I'm mostly into alternative rock, reggae, some techno and dance too. I like jazz but don't really know what kind of jazz I like, I know it when I hear it. I tried for a couple years to like bluegrass and folk but honestly I can't stand most of it now. No commercial radio, or country either. I remember back when I first started making pots that I gave country a try. I was working in an empty migrant house on a friend's family's apple farm. I had a wheel, an old electric kiln, a kerosene heater, and a small radio. I could pick up a country station and that was about it. I listened to that while I worked for about a year. Never again. I like breaks inbetween every 5 or 6 songs with the DJ giving a little set list update and comments.
In my early 20's a friend of mine discovered 88.7 in Spindale, NC broadcasting from Isothermal Community College. We listened mostly at night and into the early morning while out partying or skateboarding or sitting around in the car. They had, and still have, a good alternative late night show. Our favorite show was Joe Frank in the Dark. It's hard to explain but it was usually sort of a weird monologue that went on for about an hour.
Well that's my post for today. I had no idea what I would write when I sat down here. Keep checking in, maybe I'll make some pots.

Sunday Morning

Last night Sarah and I went out with another couple to Charlotte for dinner and then went to the Actor's Theatre to see a performance of David Sedaris' 'The Santaland Diaires'. The company and dinner were wonderful; the acting was awful. We were all disappointed with the performance especially after spending $20 each for tickets. The guy just couldn't pull off Sedaris, he had no delivery, and stumbled on his lines several times. We all had a good laugh on the way home, actually our reviews of the performance were more funny than the play.

On we way back we drove through McAdenville to see the whole town lit up in Christmas lights. I've only done this once before years ago and I have say it was quite nice.

Sarah and I ended our late evening by watching some clips of the real David Sedaris on Youtube and even a few of his sister, Amy, who is a hoot and has been on Letterman numerous times. She has a group of friends who get together and do crafts. Their name....the Crafty Beavers. I love that. Circle of Eight is a good name but the Crafty Beavers....that's hard to beat.

I think I'm going to dig out our copy of Sedaris' book Naked and give it a read over the next few days.

No pottery news at this time, my clay did come in out of the racks and I have been thinking about my next kiln load. I still have to cast my fireboxes and finish setting the bag walls but that is no big deal. For now I just want to make it through Christmas and relax a bit.

Hope your up coming week is a good one.

Pottery Books

I buy most of my pottery books from The Potters Shop in Needham, Mass. Right now they are having their end of the year sale and most everything is 25% off. I like buying from the Potters Shop because they are potters too. I am supporting another potter, not the corporate guys at Amazon or Borders or whatever. Plus, they have tons of titles and some out of print stuff too, as well as tools and videos. They are also very helpful in answering questions and giving you specific information about the books. They now have their list online
www.thepottersshop.blogspot.com I hope you'll give them your business if you are looking for some pottery books.