July Already?

This prototype is an experiment for another ceramic/glass collaboration between Jerri Bartholomew and me. I've made this hollow clay module with an inside ledge for the glass and one screw hole attachment point. The slab piece will be what the glass can be hump molded over and hopefully after the clay shrinkage the glass piece will still fit in snugly like this slab does. The glass will be cut in a much more interesting shape -- the slab is just to get the curve right for the glass.

Sunny June

Finally, another finished piece from those first shown green. Anthony and Doug Gordon fired this Twister in her beautiful Chimera wood kiln. In less than 24-hours a nice amount of ash and sheen was put down on our pieces from their steady stoking of pallets and limb wood. The kiln is designed so one person can stoke and make damper adjustments from the same spot. Very nice directional flame marks.

The top and bottom of this piece are slighly different tones due to placement in the kiln: bottom looking a bit more leather-like, and the top a chalkier but warm feel. Thanks Anthony and Doug!

Good Oldie

This piece came out of Jay's woodfire kiln looking so bloated and forlorn that it made me laugh it was so ugly. I missed it when packing up and when it was returned to me after some time, I noticed the bright red coloration, and the way the ash added a soft contrast to the red, AND that the bumps accentuate it's lovely "little bird-like" form. Now it's one of my favorites of all time. Only about 7-8 inches tall and almost that big around. Little Bird Vase - $150.

Art in the Garden Week

Oh Dear. The rain is really setting back gardening plans and the sale that shows my work, and that of Louie Gizyn and Jerri Bartholomew, gets set up out there in just a couple of days. This little creature got a couple of bites at Showcase, but still came home with me. "Garden Friend" is stoneware with colorful additions attached post-firing.

While it was nice bringing work home when there is another sale just around the corner, it's been hard motivating to unpack it all and get the yard and garage all set up... Here's hoping the sun returns tomorrow!

Showcase Re-cap

Last night Ceramics Showcase ended for me with a bang. Sold "Seafoam Twist," the largest sculpture I brought, during the last hour of the show. Very nice customer who has quite a bit of art in her back yard garden. Hope she remembers to send me a photo once its installed.

This cut-out vase went home on Saturday with some nice folks. "Zipper Vase" - $125.

Attendance for the show was up; hope everyone's sales were too! There were so many beautiful pots there it is still amazing that anyone finds mine in the crowd.

One Week to Ceramic Showcase

It's countdown week . . . the firing I did last Friday all needs to be water tested and ground (so I don't scratch anyone's furniture) and then it all has to be sorted, packed and made to fit in the van . . . the fabrics all flame retardant re-treated, toolbox put back together and the lightings tested for burnouts.

I'm in love with the new pieces I have. They could always be better; I've made them only a short amount of time. I've got a good selection of work. I just hope we have some loyal buyers and new members of the public to come oogle and buy. We'll be wearing our hearts on our sleeves.

Two Weeks until Showcase

Took part in Jay Widmer's Anagama Firing at Digger Mtn a couple weekends ago. After purposely stoking wet fir, maple, alder and oak--including a lot of limb wood--for 48 hours, we were anxious to see how things turned out. A week later we found many pots with iridescent patterns in the ash/silica build-up, as well as super warm glows of orange, red and burnt umbers underneath or away from the flame. It was cooler in the back, but some lovely colors nonetheless.
We'll be sure to try for those sparkles again next firing.

This pot is one I showed many moons ago just after making it... It turned out to be my favorite of the firing. A little on the cool side but could never get these marks again if I tried.