Back from workshop

I'm just returning to normal after a great workshop at the Jacksonville center in Floyd, VA. I had three students that were eager to learn how to spray glazes. The first day we glazed pots and my truck. Things were pretty chaotic, but we got everything done and loaded. The next day we fired the kiln. This was my first time firing this kiln so it takes awhile to get use to it. It fired unevenly and left everyone nervous and anxious to see if it turned out OK. It ended up being just fine. A couple of pieces stuck to the shelves, but overall everyone was happy.

What the heck is going on?

Hot out of the kiln

I have been helping with governor's school summer camp where I teach, so it's been busy. I was able to sneek a few pieces in the kiln during the camp. I'm super excited about my upcoming workshop, good times.

Workshop

This is the last week to sign up for my spraying glaze workshop. It should be a good time. Head over to the Jacksonville center's site and sign up. http://www.jacksonvillecenter.org/. In other news the art auction went well this weekend. Most of the pieces met their reserves or exceeded it. Doing a kiln firing tomorrow so I'll have a few new things to share.

Art Auction

On July 17 6pm the Jacksonville center is having an art auction to support the center. I have four pieces in the auction. If you are in the area stop by or if you are interested in a piece I think you can proxy bid. http://jacksonvillecenter.org/art-auction/

jack of all trades

So I think being a potter requires you to be jack of all trades. Although at times it feels your master of none. We not only make things out of clay but we are also: chemist, physicist, repair person, inventor and the list could go on. One of the things why I enjoy working with clay is coming up with new ways to work or manipulate it. So its always fun to come up with a tool that normally isn't used for clay and use it in clay. I used this spliner that is used for installing the spline that holds the screen in windows and doors. It just rolls on the clay and pushes it in at the same time. Great for making marks and altering the clay.

Teabowl National

Teabowl National starts today and goes to June 30. This teabowl is one of 70 that was juried in by Pete Pinnell. So if you live in the Kansas City area go check it out. Teabowl National  Kansas City, MO. Bruce Watkins Cultural Heritage Center June 1-30 Reception June 11 5-8pm

New forms

The last two weeks in the studio I have been playing around trying some new stuff. I had a spark of inspiration while driving home. Its funny how inspiration strikes in the oddest places. I had a teacher tell me once that they kept a sketchbook in their car and wrote things down when thoughts came even while driving. Anyways I'm trying some new designs and forms. I threw some bigger forms. I found a ring that I carved and casted in silver in a metalworking class some years ago. The ring looks like crooked teeth or rock formations, so I'm trying that on my pots.

In the picture below I'm trying to do a set. The larger piece is a box that will hold in the top a corked bottle and inside the container it will hold four cups or shot glasses.