Sunday - Latest work

Several friends have mentioned lately that I only post pictures of unfinished pieces, so here are some finished ones.  Most of these are from the last gas firing I was involved in at the old building.  We are currently on hiatus at Clayworks because we are moving to a new building.  You can read more about that here.

I can't wait to get back to making pots.  Clayworks starts up again on July 5th and I'll be waiting at the door when it opens.

8" pot.

3.5" yunomi.

4.25" vase.

7" raku frog pot.

12" broken vessel Japan tribute (front).

(back).

12" broken vessel Japan tribute
(I used a bright light to show the water detail.)

Same pot without the harsh lighting.

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2010-08-26 Thursday - Clayworks

Thursday I went straight from work to the studio, so I didn't have my camera and had to use my cell phone so let me apologize for that right up front.  I made some small knob-n-alls, trimmed some pots and slipped the frog pot.

Knob-n-alls.

The latest frog pot.

The other side of it.

The leaf pot with the frog pot in the background.

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2010-08-21 Saturday - Barrel Firing

Saturday saw another barrel firing and the maiden voyage of the new barrel.  Becky and Kim used several different things to add color to their pieces and carefully built the layers in the barrel.  One of the things added to the mix was kindling from the "lightning tree".  Becky had wood from a tree that was splintered by a lightning hit and it really was fragments. 

It was an "OK" firing as some things came out well, but others didn't.  You never know exactly what's going to happen in the barrel.  Once the barrel was started and the raku kiln was firing merrily I went into the studio and started making some pots.

Becky and Kim loading the materials.

Part of the lightning tree and some other kindling.

White bag: dried cow pies, black bag: wood shavings.

(Yes, I said "dried cow pies".)

Seaweed I dragged back from the shore.

She's loaded and ready to light...

... and there she goes.

A leaf pot (thanks, Ju-Ian!).

A frog pot (ditto).

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2010-06-09 Wednesday - Vietnam Grille and Clayworks

I met my friend Divakar for lunch at the Vietnam Grille.  If you get a chance, check out the Vietnam Grille on South Boulevard.  I really enjoyed my crispy tofu with dipping sauce.

Divakar is something of a local music legend here and you can hear why on his shows, "The New Music & Indie Label Show" 7:00 - 8:30 and "90 Minutes" 8:30 - 10:00 on 106.5 fm on Sunday evenings.  If there was any doubt about his local music status, check out what Creative Loafing has to say about him.  He also runs Shukla Entertainment and Saathee Magazine, and hosts Nazar Television in his spare time.

Later in the evening it was off to Clayworks for a raku firing.  While there we celebrated Elaine's birthday with a cake that Stephanie baked.  Thanks Stephanie, it was great!

The raku firing went well and results were good.  I had a porcelain piece that I left on the wheel for a bit and while I was gone Ju-Ian placed a small frog on the top of it.  I left the frog on it and fired it with clear crackle on the whole pot and turquoise luster on the frog.  I was very pleased with the result and need to get a picture of the finished pot.  Stay tuned for that.

The Vietnam Grille

Lunch with Divakar.

My crispy tofu.

(I forgot to photograph it before starting to eat.)

People jammed in the kitchen at Clayworks.

Party!

Elaine's cake after slicing.

Hot raku pots after opening the kiln.

One of Becky's birds on it's sawdust nest.

Adding dog hair to the bird.

(Normally she uses horsehair, but this is hair from her sister's dog, Mott.)

Next load coming out of the kiln.

(My frog pot is on the right.)

Another view of the frog pot.

(It's starting to cool, but the inside is still glowing.)

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