Back Home

It's been awhile since I've posted on my blog; work and life have been too busy, and I've been spending way less time at the studio than I'd like. Just returned from Asheville late last night and didn't take any pictures! It's so good to be back though. I even ran out of time an didn't go to any galleries while there. Will have to go back soon. I'm also bummed that the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is on a weekend when I can't attend. Oh well...

Anyway, here is the latest group of pieces that came out of the gas kiln last weekend. I like the forms; I just need all the help I can get with the glazing. In my world, the glazing can only get better.

Two in this group are soda soaked ones. Almost all pieces have the alfred's blue glaze on them;

It seems much easier to make tumblers these days.
And, last weekend at the Circle of Eight sale, one of my friends was in town and bought this piece for me. It's gorgeous; I really like the form and it's from Brad Tucker's collection. Of course, it was SUCH a hard decision to pick one. On that note, it's great that there's another Circle of Eight sale coming soon, I think? I chose Brad's piece because I think it was soda ash fired. Gorgeous... This picture doesn't do it justice.

Gosh, this gas shortage and unstable economy stuff is tough. Gotta stay closer to home; why is the Clayworks studio not just down the street from where I live?

Amazed- a Miracle

I'm amazed. After a long, difficult day, I made this at the wheel. It was a miracle I could even center the clay. It was encouraging to have the Warren MacKenzie piece nearby as I was at the wheel.

God is good.
I learned the 'claw' technique tonight for pulling up a wall. It really helps. Ron is an incredible teacher. I'm thinking of leaving a conference early next week in Asheville to return in time to not miss the class. I hope I remember all or at least most of what I learned in the days to come. Took a bunch of pics to help. These are all of Ron's work in his demo to the class tonight about handles and lids. Gosh, there's so many ways that I can improve.

How to make a handle... He demo'd the lid too, which is a whole other blog in itself.

Some ways to finish off a handle on the side of a casserole.

Adding 'gesture' to the pot.... I like this added touch.

'Gesture' using a stamp and slipping and scoring some clay to the casserole dish.

A mug he made. I really like the shape of this form.

Now, I know more and more what I need to do to get better. All I need now is time, time, time, and patience and an iPod.
How I love playing with clay. It is so peaceful, so refreshing, and so centering.

BBQ Even For Me

What a wonderful thing it is that the Clayworks studio is in Uptown (basically in downtown Charlotte). Discovered yesterday that there was a big blues, beer, and BBQ festival just two blocks away from the studio, so Minke and I took a break from playing with dirt and went and walked around a bit.

And, even me who usually eats only a little bit of chicken (and no beef at all) couldn't resist. Now, I know why it was the Grand Champion last year.

Yummy BBQ! And, here's a picture that I took a few days ago as I finished several tumblers before they went into the bisque kiln. I like the lighting in the pic; however, I'm realizing that I need to venture out and try new forms. That's why I'm taking a class. This form seems to come easily.

Seeing the shells makes me wish that the shore was closer! Still waiting for my 16+ pieces to get fired in the gas kiln....

Tomorrow

Glad there's tomorrow. Learned today that throwing clay without an iPod is not easy. I discovered that I had forgotten mine after I arrived at the studio. There's something about the peace that music brings and how I love to check out of the present world at times. So, listening to Jimmy Buffett and Peter Mayer really does make a difference. Today, I worked with three pounds of clay and just couldn't get the hang of it so rather than stay longer; I gave up early although frustrated. I ended up joining many others in the quest for a full gas tank. How I wish I lived closer to Clayworks. The commute is still worth it by far.

I definitely will be at the studio for a good part of the day tomorrow. Next weekend will be busy too; there's the Circle of Eight and the Festival in the Park which evidently will have only one potter, will still be great with all the kinds of art. I'm already thinking it will be hard to limit myself and not buy from each potter at the Circle of Eight, especially cause I know some of the artists.

Even after a somewhat challenging day, at least Hurricane Ike is not coming to Charlotte. And, there's tomorrow.

Fins to the right; fins to the left. :)

Pottery World

Tonight was my first class of this fall in the pottery world and it was incredible. I really like Ron's style (he's laidback and fun) plus his attention to detail and yet gives freedom, along with encouragement-- all of these really help. It was so refreshing. Plus, he gave me some great feedback about pulling a wall that I have never received, which has been a great improvement in technique.

It was so fun to sit down at the wheel again. As a class, we'll work towards filling one of the big gas kilns about two thirds of the way through the 10 weeks. I'm more and more mindful of what I need to do to improve.

Here's what I ended up throwing tonight; The one on the front is somewhat like a Warren MacKenzie piece :) - except it still needs to be trimmed.

Lately, I've really liked reading and learning from others' blogs. Thanks too, John for suggesting six more blogs to check out, some of which are about potters outside the U.S.

I will learn so much. I'm just trying to see what forms come! Looking forward to trying new things. And, there are still times when I tell myself-- I am a potter! I'm still surprised and amazed. What fun this is!

Finally

Almost... thankfully, classes begin tomorrow at Clayworks. I can hardly wait.

Tonight, I've been looking online at some potter blogs and websites. My eye keeps going back to the wood fired pieces like Judith Duff's and at the pottery show at the Mint Museum, Joerling Pottery from Penland, NC had some of my favorites. Wish now I had captured pics; I hesitated in asking if it was okay.

As I await to learn in Ron Philbeck's class, I'm catching up on things like responding to being 'tagged' by Becky's blog. It's been fun to read the random things on other's blogs. Here goes...
These are the rules as Becky posted them:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them. (This is only a game.)
5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six Random Things About Me:

1. I went skydiving once in Umatilla, FL and loved it!
2. I was in the audience of the Oprah show when I was in high school. She's amazing.
3. Other than coffee (it's a given), most days I just drink orange juice with soy protein for breakfast.
4. I went zip lining in the canopy forest this past summer in Costa Rica.
5. One season, I went to all of the home games of the Tennessee Lady Vols Basketball team.
6. While a student at the University of Kentucky, I was on ESPN during one of the men's basketball games. The blue and white face paint really helped. :)

All of the potters I know who have blogs have already been tagged. So, there are my random things. I love adventure; hopefully there are many more in the days to come.

One New Wish

Yesterday as I walked around and admired the pieces at the fourth annual Potters Market featuring 40 NC potters, I decided that I wish I could make a living as a potter. Of course, I have so much more to learn, but I love being in the pottery world. My eyes were especially drawn to the wood fired pieces and I learned some new glazing techniques too. Can you imagine watching a wood kiln for 55 hours? The results are so worthwhile. Such a natural, earthy look. Learning from the potters gave me some new ideas for barrel firing too. It was all so inspiring and it was fun to be with there with Minka and see a bunch of others from the Clayworks studio. I'm still not sure how I left without buying anything. Hmmm

Also went to the the Greek Festival in Charlotte this weekend- how I wish I was at least part Greek. For starters, spanikopita is my favorite greek food. And, the church was gorgeous; I really liked the icons. Here are two pics I took inside the Greek Orthodox Church.

Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist.

This photo isn't as good, yet this is the resurrection. So much detail in each of these that were on the church walls along with many others.

Then I finally got back to playing with clay and sat at the wheel after about a week away. Didn't know what (if anything) would happen. This is what emerged. :)

Don't know why this pic looks a bit crooked yet these forrms were really encouraging! I'm so ready for my class to start on Tuesdays. I still wonder what it would be like to do this every day... every day. Finally, here is one of my ongoing favorites. I think more of this form are on the way too. Tumblers seem to be my focus these days; I need to practice making bowls more and more.

What fun this is!

Next Vacation?

Okay, I'm back from vacation but I must admit that the thoughts of it still linger.

For starters, the weather is so humid here. In Washington state in the Cascade Mountains in August it was this cold one Sunday morning- it got down to 48. It's also much drier there; way less humidity. I like the colder weather. :)

And, the views? Here's a pic of me on the hart lake trail. This is one of those National Geographic pics. One of the most beautiful places on earth.

I did go all the way down to Hart Lake and put my feet in the water- where the river meets the lake... freezing water-- but it was so fun! Hiking in chaco's is a great thing.

I'm so thankful for vacation memories. Next time I return to the Cascades, there will be snow! With that said, I won't be able to travel all the way to Hart Lake. Too much snow.

Okay, back to life here. I'm counting down the time till I'm at the wheel again. Just a few more days...

16 + Waiting

These days have been filled with one thing---- waiting, waiting, waiting, until the studio re-opens officially and the next wave of classes begin. I'm reminded of Dr. Seuss' book (is it this one?) The Lorax as there's at least one page that talks about waiting and standing in line... ? Can't remember. Anyway, it would also be fitting that the 16 pieces who were planning to be fired in the gas kiln on Friday are now joining me in waiting, as that firing was delayed. The lighter three in the front are either salt brine soaked or soda ash soaked. Here they are, waiting with me. I think they're more patient.

'In the meantime' (great song by Peter Mayer too), as I stopped by the studio briefly, Julie told me about the Fourth Annual Potters Market next Saturday at the Mint Museum. Looking forward to the inspiration I'll get in going there.

I've also paid more attention to my home, which is now cleaner than ever. My plants are happier too as a few have been re-potted and several more rescued from the clearance rack at Lowe's. Here's a new addition, a Jade that was a great buy, potted in a piece I made awhile ago.

It has been hard to be away from the wheel. I've also been encouraged that in the waiting that college football season has begun. Yesterday, I wore blue and one of my alma maters won (Kentucky vs. Louisville)! Today, I'm wearing orange (from the other alma mater) hoping that Tennessee will win against UCLA. :)

In the waiting, it also helped yesterday to meet Minke and Cindy for lunch. Brixx Pizza continues to be one of my favorite places to eat. We talked about the upcoming barrel firing and are still trying to figure out what works and doesn't in terms of color, etc. Maybe that's half of the fun- the mystery of it all!

Finally, as I've been watching Hurricane Gustav coverage on TV, I've wondered to myself which pieces I'd take with me if I was stuck in a hurricane. First, I'd limit myself to 4-5... and these would be two of the five, both of which I made at Holden Village.

Even in the midst of this waiting, why does this long weekend have to end, anyway?