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.

2010-03-13 Saturday

I went to Clayworks today to pick up the propane tanks so I could refill them for raku on Sunday.  As always there was lots going on at the studio.  I glazed one piece for the raku firing, talked to a lot of people, and then went home.

Before I left, I went out front and got some shots of the impending storm.  Soon after these pictures were taken the sky opened up and it poured for quite a while.

Our front door.

One of our trolleys.

2010-03-12 Friday - Fish

Just in case you haven't noticed, I have added some fish on the right.  They are a friendly lot and you can feed them by clicking in the water.  They eat all they want and never seem to gain any weight.  Something's fishy...

2010-03-11 Thursday - The Flu 2010

I was fortunate enough to catch the flu this week so I have had some time (some of it lucid) on my hands.  Most of my time has been spent sleeping with the strangest dreams (even by bizarre dream standards), but I have been up and about the house at times.  I am now kicking hard back towards the surface and hope to be past this soon.

All this moss and lichen, is this in some primeval forest?

Nope, it's our front yard.

As soon as you get the camera out

everyone wants to get into the act.

2010-03-06 Saturday

I was at the studio Saturday to help unload the kiln and saw a lot of activity as usual.

The "Bird Lady of Clayworks" (Becky) was there decorating some her flock.  The flock has swelled quite a bit, which you would expect in the Spring time.  Her birds are amazing and I don't know how she makes each one seem as fresh and alive as the last.  She's got some sales coming up, including the multi-artist sale at Goneaway Pottery on March 27, 2010.  (shameless plug)

Becky organizing her flock.

They get several different types of treatment.

A resting point on their migration from shelf to kiln.

Some are late leaving for migration.

Apparently good stuff in the aviary.

I caught Chris glazing.

Some of my new pieces.

Tiny pots and butter dishes.

Open butter dish.

The trays have a design on them.

Another example.

Different view.

Heavily textured pot.

Medium textured pot.

Different textured pot.

(There might be a theme here...)

Becky and Susan sussing out the kiln controls.

2010-03-04 Thursday - New Bowls

I made several of these bowls and am thrilled with them.  They are earthen red with white slip and translucent amber glaze.  I will be making more using this glaze combination in the future.

 

  

2010-03-03 Wednesday - Kiln Loading

On Wednesday night I assisted Greg in loading the gas kiln at Clayworks.  Also assisting were Joe and Lisa.  We stuffed the kiln until we couldn't fit anymore in it.  I'm impatiently waiting for my pots since I have tried some new glaze ideas in this firing.  We should be unloading it on Saturday afternoon.  Can't wait.

I picked up some of my cone 5 bowls and will get some pictures up soon.  I really like them.