2009-04-20 Potted John

I am honored that my friend Max took the time out of his day to create this picture of me on my latest pot. He calls it "Potted John".

I think he did a great job and I can't wait 'til my fall colors change (wow, I always thought I was a 'winter'...).



I have to get some banding before the cankerworm moths hatch...


Check out Max's blog for some great pottery and photography.

2009-04-18 Big Saturday, Part II

After the sale, I headed to the studio to get some catch-up work done. I worked on my largest pot so far, helped unload the glaze kiln with my painted mugs, and ate lunch. Rick gave me a loaf of his homemade bread so I stopped at Harris Teeter and picked up some ham, cheese, and a bottle of Fat Tire. It turned out that Kim had not had lunch so I was glad I could share it with her and we both loved it. Rick makes really great bread.

When I got to the studio
Scott was out back working his magic.

A great loaf of bread on a great plate.

Sandwich or heaven? Both.

It all went too quickly.

Kim enjoyed it as much as I did.

Robin arrived just as we were finishing.

Ju-Ian posing with my tallest pot to date.

I loved the hostility of this pose.

Having some ribbing fun.

The clay dust makes us all a little crazy.

The mugs I painted
and the creamer sets behind them.

Closer view.

2009-04-18 Big Saturday, Part I

I started the day by dropping Meredith off at church for Reconciliation before her Confirmation on the twenty ninth. While she was attending I ran over to Carolina Clay Connection to pick up some tools and bought more than I had planned. It's easy to do there.

While I was there I got to talk to Leon Nichols about large pots and found out he will be taking a new day job and only teaching at night. His ankle is healing nicely and he was getting around pretty well with his new red cast. He reminded me that the Clay Matters Guild is having their meeting there on Sunday. Thanks Leon!

I wish Leon a lot of luck in the new position, but will miss seeing him at the Clay Connection when I make my purchases.

I then went to Rick's house, got the grand tour, and met his dog. The house and yard were great, and his dog is beautiful and very friendly. He has quite a collection of great pottery and the house had the mouth-watering smell of the bread he had baked before I arrived.

The Circle of Eight sale was today and Rick and I went over to peruse the pots. It was a glorious day and an inspiring sale full of wonderful work by a great group of artists. If you missed it, you truly missed "it".

I also finally got to meet Amy's boy Guthrie in the flesh. I have admired all his pictures on the blog, but have missed him by minutes on a few occasions. He was in good spirits, cuter than his pictures, and gave me a big smile when I spoke to him using the universal language of peek-a-boo.

Greg getting some refreshments.

A great display of a great collection of art.

Amy's work.

Happy shoppers.

More happy shoppers.

The long line of tables.

Ron's work in front of a pretty dogwood.

2009-04-17 It's All About Julie --almost

Today a bunch of us went to the Mint Museum of Craft and Design to see Julie do a demo at lunch. Some of us stopped by Reid's to pick up sandwiches and then sauntered over to the Mint.

Julie did an excellent demo and we all enjoyed it and the lunches we brought. Adrienne has one next month and I hope to get to that one too.

They were knocking down the building
across the street from the studio.

Julie's cooking show.

Julie reaching the back row.

Throwing off the hump.

The audience is rapt.

Rick enjoying the demo.

When I got back to the studio, these little gems were being unloaded from the kiln.

All Fired Up items.

More.

2009-04-15 Wednesday

I was at Karen's office today and noticed one of my old pots while she was on the phone. This one was from 1999, when we were at the old studio. I did a series of the white with blue spatters pots and she really liked them. This one was made using a technique that Adrienne taught us. We made closed forms and then used a wooden coffee stirrer with a flat end to cut the top off. By using the flat edge perpendicular to the pot, it cuts the top and creates a flange on the lid. If you do it just right, the lid falls into the base and voila, a lidded pot from a closed form. Neat.

I had a traumatic experience when I got to the studio tonight. I was unpacking my stuff and stupidly left the camera on the edge of the table, knocking it off with my backpack. It landed on the corner of the back and cracked the LCD screen. It still takes pictures, but I can't use the LCD as a viewfinder, check pictures after I take them, or most importantly, manipulate the settings since I can't see the indicators of what I am changing. I'm pretty heartsick about it since I have had the camera for 6-7 years and use it just about daily. It's an extension of my limb and I know how to use it in my sleep. I am going to have to make some decisions about my camera situation pretty quickly.

1999 coffee stirrer spatter pot.

My poor cracked screen.
I almost cried.

Pots must go on.

Mugs I painted using my new Speedball underglazes.
(I got # 1081-12)

Treasures from the dollar store in PA.
UFO sponges from another world.

I got this pan for glazing large items
("throw big or go home!"), but I didn't
bargain for the great graphic in the bottom!

I put clear glaze on my painted mugs and put hare's fur blue and some mystic moss on my creamer sets. Kim was very gracious by staying late with me and even helping me wax and clean my pots. I am very grateful to her for her help and would probably still be there doing it if not for her.

Glazed and ready for the kiln.

Creamer sets and mugs on the glaze shelf.

2009-04-12 Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was a much less hectic day than the previous two were, what with planning the party, having the party, and cleaning up the party.

Sunday has always been a family day with my in-laws. Even back when I was dating Karen I would be invited over for Sunday dinner and it was wonderful. Now whenever we are back to PA for Christmas or Easter, Scott sets a mighty fine table and we all break bread together. Stephanie and Meredith always ask if Uncle Scott is making a ham with mashed potatoes. He never lets them down.

My personal favorite are the candied yams. He uses my mother-in-law's recipe and they are always the first item on my plate. Man, is it Christmas yet?

Candied yams.
The stuff of legend.

Pop-pop takes a well deserved nap
in the sunshine.

Kids and video games. 'Nuff said.

Stephanie is a typical teenager and rests often.

This is the beautiful sun in Uncle Scott's bathroom.
It's HUGE, but great and I just had to share it.

Saturday 2009-04-11 John's 80th birthday party

We went to PA for my father-in-law's 80th birthday party and had a blast. My brother-in-law Scott and sister-in-law Eva went all out to make the day special. There was all kinds of great food and great company everywhere you looked.

I believe I am truly blessed to have married into a wonderful family. My wife's family have always made me feel a part of the clan and it's a great feeling. It was nice to be able to get around and and spend some time with everyone at the party.

The whole picture set is here.

That's a whole sheet cake.
Pound cake with butter cream icing. (drool)

The birthday boy, himself.

Stephanie and Karen in the kitchen.

The party in full swing.

I love these sequences with the cousins.