Knocked about by the W O O D

I'm in trouble, I was in much better shape before being bitten by the W O O D bug. I'm lost. How does one integrate all of the lovely surface, warmth and variability of atmospheric firing into good old gas reduction with all it's sheen and consistency? All of my glazes are now (UN) magically deliciously way too S H I N E Y! What's a girl to do? I guess I can play with the shino's some to afford some kind of consistent variability.
On the positive, the throwing is going splendidly, the treadle taught me a lot. Slow throwing for me, keeps me in very close rapport with the nuance of the clay, it's all more intentional, less wandering around hoping for something. The pots are going where I want them to go.
I'm two thirds of the way towards firing the big kiln. You know the one with the hairdryers for burners and a kiln shelf picnic table under the damper to trick the fire back down into the lovely O L D Alpine updraft with the blown out spy holes and the two layer soft brick door!!! Potters, we are a "make do", haggard bunch. Wonder what wood happen if I threw in a stick or a burrito of salt or something? Guess I'll scrape some shelves!

Penland Summer 09

This is my 10th summer at Penland. Once again it was home and challenging and crazy serious fun. Ron Meyers and Chuck Hindes were delightful clay rock stars. (Look close at the photo, They are both cracking up. It was fun to watch! :o))
I feel privileged to have been a participant of this class. We looked at a lot and I enjoyed all of the variety. It felt a bit nuts to be thinking about "Loosening up", hand building, treadle wheel, throwing off the hump, low fire, high fire, and the wood, soda and salt kilns. There sure was some bang for the buck going on. As one would expect, all got crunchy at the end but everything worked out. My pots were hard for me to look at still warm, as is usually the case. I have the sense to know to NOT make a judgment. I hastily boxed them and drove off the mountain in tears. With some wine, and Josh Floyd's comment, "get the pots out of the studio to truly be able to see them", I found a few winners. Thanks Josh. I learned a little bit more about who I am and who I am not as a "clay artist", really I'm a potter and the tears flow again.

WOOD

I come home from a glorious week in Anguilla to find a great big box of
P O T S from Stonepool pottery. My expectations were low. These were process pots.....treadle wheel for the first time, made quickly and slipped in an unfocused frustrated rush, not nearly picky enough for my glazing agony. Much to my surprise. I L O V E these pots!! They are rough and brown and Glaze and salt kissed by a Master of the fire. Thanks Mark.
Technically, I threw off the hump and not one "S" crack, evidence of the slow throw is showing and I like it. My haphazard halfhearted slip and oxide brush work has merit, aided greatly by the fire.
These pots are warm and friendly and best of all I N S P I R I N G.

J O Y

It's the point of living.
Life feels right when I have my J O Y on.
There is no dispute,
so smile and find your joy.

I made little tiny letter stamps J O Y to remind me.
Sometimes I loose sight or have forgotten.
So I'll stamp this seed in my pots for me and YOU.
Bon

Spencer's Muddy

Because of a "mishap" at school my Spencer's now home with me for the remainder of his sophomore year in High School. We will be finishing his ART class here in my studio.
:o} YEA!!
He tried throwing today for the first time. My, my he's an expert, doesn't really think he'll need much more of my help after throwing one piece so proficiently. He actually did do very well. I actually am a good teacher!
Secretly, I loved having him in the studio. I was doing my best to HOOK him in without being WAAAY to obvious about my interest in his interest!
I'm always amazed at how consistently and profoundly I love those boys of mine.

You can't F A K E fresh.

So I came back to the cups today. Now to trim them with a similar freshness so the bottoms don't appear to be from another universe. The same slow methodical wheel, but quick, don't mess too long. Deeper cuts more confidence with the tools. Less attachment. Production is N O T terrible. It can teach.
And then handles. Porcelain likes to make handles better then stoneware does. Some redemption for the white jelly sticky stuff. They are less bulky at the top attachment and less fussy at the bottom.
Handmade is obvious all around.
More tomorrow.
That's the point of this,
lots of working tomorrows.