pottery

Saturday Outting

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I drove up to the Penland/Bakersville area Saturday to deliver pots to Crimson Laurel Gallery.  If you've never been to Crimson Laurel I highly recommend it.  They are easily one of the finest ceramic galleries on the east coast.

I left them with over 40 pots so they are well stocked with my new work.  I got a message from one of the owners at the end of the day saying that they sold 6 of the new pots after they were put out.  Awesome!!

After dropping off pots, I headed over the Sawdust and Dirt headquarters to have a visit with Michael Kline.  It's always good hanging with Michael.  We talked about blogging and the internet (of course) as well as marketing, how to get folks out to our pottery shops, the beauty of iron rich glazes, and cup shapes.  (Just to name a few things).  We also invented a new device that will come in handy for millions, just as soon as we work out the kinks and get the patent.

Michael's daughters, Lillian and Evelyn, joined us in the studio too.  Michael received this tee shirt from Simon Levin in the mail.  Evelyn modeled it for us.


We had a great lunch that Stacey and the girls made for us out on the picnic table.  Of course we were surrounded by fine pots.


After lunch Michael introduced me to the new chickens and we talked more about ...you guessed it, pots and the internet and selling and just all that great stuff.


It was great to have some time with MK and his family.  I left with plenty to think about as I made my way on the winding mountain roads over to Bandana Pottery.

(Check back later for my post on the Bandana Pottery Sale and my visit there)

New Book and the end of a Slack Week

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It's been a  pretty slack week of blogging here.  Hopefully things will pick up a bit next week.  Above are some serving bowls I slipped this afternoon after getting a load of pots all glazed and packed into the kiln.  I should have some new work out on Sunday.

I got a great book in the mail yesterday.  It's The New Maiolica by Matthias Ostermann.  It is very well written, as a matter of fact there are a few passages I've come across that I want to post here at a later time.  This book is like a workshop in print.  It's got a great chapter on color and another on brushes and brushwork.  He shows specific techniques and even shows which brushes he used.

I don't think I'm going to switch to maiolica but I do think this book will help my with my deco.

Sadly, Matthias Ostermann  passed away in 2009.  His website is still online and can be viewed by clicking HERE.

In other news, I have been asked by a group of potters to give a workshop in Allentown, PA in August.  I am looking forward to that.

I'm also doing another talk about the Internet in July for a local art co-op.

Off now to get a couple pizzas made.  Have a good weekend everyone!!

Weekend Photos

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Sarah and I had a productive weekend working on the house.  We finished painting the stairwell and got the handrail up.  That scaffolding is approved by Worker Safety Organizations in India and Jamaica. Photos below from around here this weekend. Click for larger more complete image.

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I feel like I'm almost out of my 'slump'.  I get into this funky place and start questioning what I am doing fairly often.  I go over and over what I could be doing differently, how the work could change, comparing to others (not productive at all),and getting frozen in doubt and fear.  I had a little break though last night just by looking at some photos of my recent work and realizing that I am where I am at the moment.  The only way to move forward is to work, pay attention, and enjoy what I'm doing.

So today I have lots of drawing to do and a few pots to throw.  Best get to it.  Have a good Monday everyone and thanks for visiting the blog.

Fuller Style

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I had a chance last night to catch up with Doug Fitch.  We had a good chat.  He's been super busy getting ready for a show and exhibition.

Doug and Geoff Fuller have an exhibition together at Earth Marque next month.  I knew about Fuller but hadn't seen but a few of his pots.  I was happy to find he now has a website.

Inspired, I made a few pots today similar to Fullers.  Below are images of some tankards and funny little pouring pots. (Hand built spouts)



That little hood is necessary so that the liquid doesn't flow over the top when pouring.


I'll get a thin layer of white slip on these tomorrow and then who knows what.

Maiolica in the Fitzwilliam Collection

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You may remember me mentioning this book before.  I love, love, love it and got it out last night for some inspiration.

Today I found that the collection is online on the Fitzwilliam's website.

Amazing!! All in color too.  Here is the Link to the maiolica collection.

They also have a nice stoneware collection. Click here.  I haven't made it all the way through yet, but there are some fine celadons.

Anyhow it's so cool to have all this information online.  Still nothing beats seeing pots in person and I'd love to visit the Fitzwilliam sometime.

When looking at images in books or online I try to pay attention to the dimensions.  It's so funny how I can look at a bowl and think it's much larger than it really is.  Most of the pots I like on the site are 16-24 cm.  Weird b/c  just from looking at the pics they seem larger.

Shapes can be deceiving too.  Esp. with bowls that are photographed from the top.  One cool feature of the book is that there is a dictionary of shapes at the end, technical line drawings and cross sections.  Each entry in the book has a number and you can go to the back and see the drawing of the cross section.  (very handy if you want to shoot out to the studio and try to make one).

I'm In a Book

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Techniques Using  Slips by John Mathieson is out. And guess what?  My work is in there! Yey. I've never been in a pottery book before*.  I'm so excited.  Thanks to John for asking me and for being so patient when I had issues with my photos (over and over).  Any how here are a few photos from the book.  These were taken from Doug Fitch's blog. The book is on sale in the UK HERE.  It's avaliable for pre-order in the US HERE.

Here's my bit.


Here's Doug

And the cover



I can't wait to get a copy.


Off to unload the kiln now. Pics up later!!!



*I was in a karate book as a teenager.  I can't remember the title but I was photographed demonstrating punches, kicks and attacks.