2017-04-11 - Tuesday - Trimming tea bowls

Tuesday I was trimming tea bowls using a temporary chuck. It works well with the wavy edges on the tea bowls.

Center a lump of clay and over it with plastic.

Trim tea bowls on it.

Happy tea bowls.

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2013-11-25 - Monday - Raku night

Monday night we did an end-of-session raku firing.  Well, I just drank a beer and helped as I had nothing to fire yet.  Kim, Becky, and I will do another firing on Friday.  Raku firing on Black Friday has a nice ring to it.

The one in the front is Greg's and the back one is Chuck's.  They both came through the trial by fire wonderfully.

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Friday - Chastain Studio Lofts Opening

Friday night was the opening at Chastain Studio Lofts.  It's a great space and there is a sense of comfort that settles over you when you're there.  There was food and drink and lots of great conversation along with the fine art from all disciplines that was on display.  It was crowded most of the evening and I caught up with some old friends and made some new ones.  If you get a chance to go there, do check it out.

I had so much fun that I finally left Kim and Shellie there at about 1:00 am.  I had to get back so I could get to Clayworks at a decent hour the next day to help set up for the open house.

On my way home I found a huge sinkhole in the main road in front of my neighborhood.  A 24-inch water main from the early seventies had ruptured, probably from the earthquake earlier in the week.

Kim.

Chuck and Kim.

Our hostess, Christina.

Julia, Shellie, and Kim.

The street was all buckled and it looked like Kilauea.

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2010-07-14 Tuesday - Kiln loading

On Tuesday I was at Clayworks working on some pots and helped Shelley and Kim load the kiln.  Ok, I kept them company while they loaded the kiln.  Everyone was pleased that they fit Chuck's large pot and his tall pieces into the firing.  Shelley had to move the large pot twice during the load.  I can't wait to see the finished result.

Shelley and a fine job.

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2010-03-14 Sunday - Raku day!

A bunch of us converged on Clayworks Sunday to raku some pieces.  There was a whole lot more going on there, such as people working on all aspects of their art, and Maggie even had a make-up session for one of her classes scheduled.  The raku had mixed outcomes (as is often the way of raku), but there were some outstanding results in the mix.  Becky had some really great results with her horsehair birds.  She also found out she really likes using feathers as well as horsehair.  Joe's pieces came out wonderfully and I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures of them.  It's ok, Joe, I forgot to take one of my own pot.  Kim had mixed feelings about her saggar firings, but I thought some of them came out nice.  Expectations often rule our perception of the final product.

Greg, Joe, and Melissa take a break.

One of Kim's pots that I like.

The sky was a lot more friendly today.

First, the bird goes on a small sawdust "nest"...

Next, the horsehair is applied...

As more horsehair is applied, the patterns form...

Now multiply by twenty-four!

(or Four and Twenty if you prefer...)

Pete was busy making his really tall shape.

I really like it and the decoration works very nicely.

Chuck was working on his tall series.

I like this for completely different reasons.

Read on...

This is the previous one he threw.

I love the fluidity of this form.

It looks like we caught it in mid-wave in moving water.

Greg raku'd this fine looking couple that are joined into one piece.

It took him hours to layer on his glazes and it makes for rich results

that have a a lot of depth and subtle details.

2010-02-27 Saturday - Muddy Fun

Saturday was Muddy Fun day!  We had one teacher (Maggie), three volunteers (Chuck, Pete, and yours truly), and seven excellent students.  They made a whole bunch of pots and they were very good for their first time.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

2010-01-23 Saturday

I went to Clayworks on Saturday to do a raku firing and make pots (go figure!).

I didn't get any pictures of the raku (hopefully someone else did).  I fired two pots and Becky did some horsehair birds, among others.  It was a good firing and it went pretty smoothly.

I threw some pots but forgot to take pictures of them again and put them away.  Doh!

Luckily I DID remember to take pictures of Chuck making one of his biggest pots yet.  He is taking Tomoo Kitamura's sculpture class and has thrown the bottom portion of this pot and is now adding coils and smoothing them as he goes.  I not only applaud Chuck's expertise, but his patience.  I don't have the diligence to stay on one piece that long.  This pot is going to be amazing.  I'll keep you posted.

Chuck adding the first coils to his thrown piece.

Further along the process (much later in the day).

2009-11-11 Wednesday - Kiln Loading

On Wednesday night we loaded the big gas kiln. It went pretty smoothly and it was raining when we lit it, which is always a good thing for the shinos. After we loaded it we looked at some of Greg's pots from the previous firing. They were commissioned awards and they came through the fire great. His colors and runs are almost always phenomenal.

Loaded and ready to be lit.

Chuck and Greg discussing Greg's glazing.

2009-04-22 Wednesday Tallest Pot Yet

I finished up my tallest pot to date on Wednesday by throwing a neck and attaching it to the body. It was a tricky process because it was my first one --I hope it gets easier and quicker if I make some others. Thanks to Greg Scott and Leon Nichols for all their advice and Chuck for inspiring me with his great pot.

The only problem right now is that the pot is 26" tall and the electric kilns are 25" tall. It should work out since the pot will shrink a bit as it dries and we can take out the bottom kiln shelf since there is no glaze to drip on it. If not, we can lean it over for the bisque firing. We'll make it work.

The neck is thrown.

The neck is installed.

The culprit at the scene.

Nick and Nat with words of encouragement.