Thrift Store Find ~ Robin DuPont

Today I just missed out on buying a mug made by Robin DuPont.  As I was about the enter the store, Robin's and my friend, Jeff Stewart (pictured) was leaving with this mug in his hand.  I'm glad he was able to add it to his collection, which includes pots made by Luke Lindoe. 

I first met Robin when I visited Jeff in Banff; Jeff had studio space at The Banff Centre's ceramics area.  Robin stopped by Jeff's apartment with a book he had just purchased on wood fired kilns. He was oohing and awing about the kilns while I was more interested in the pots. Robinhad some very good stories about building kilns and firing with road kill.

One thing I know for sure, Jeff definitely got a bargain. He wanted Robin to know that his mugs are "going for a lot of money". I think the price was so low since there was wax in the mug. Not sure what era this mug is but it's not recent.

Here's a mug of Robin's that resides in my cupboard when I'm not using it. It is perfect for me since I use one finger to hold mugs. Robin is one of the best soda firers around.

Pottery Makes You Smarter

The ceramics world has lost another artist. Yoshiro Ikeda has passed away.  

Here's a link to an article in Ceramics Arts Daily about his use of building up the surface with multiple firings. I agree that the method is more important than recipes. Experiment, have fun and keep records. 

Students' Pots

Yesterday the students from the Beginner's Throwing Class I taught at the Saskatoon Potters Guild picked up their pots. Here are some pots made by people who have never thrown before. I'm impressed and glad that they persevered. Learning to throw isn't easy. Thanks to the returning students who offered encouragement.

I derive a great deal of satisfaction from sharing my skills and helping people learn. Of course I always think I have the best students. Kudos to the class coordinators and technicians. 

The pots on top were glazed with a white glaze and then dots where applied using raspberry (a chrome-tin) glaze and spearmint from Mastering Cone Six Glazes.  Floating Blue, an old standby and very popular with the students, was applied to the pouring bowls.

Rhonda, whose plate is picture above has been taken a few classes before, has attained her goal of making plates. She made a sprig mold from a metal dragonfly magnet. Glazes on the plate are spearmint and shino.

Donation to The Gardiner Museum

What a wonderful gift!  Mr. Yu donated his collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics to The Gardiner Museum. 

I enjoyed hearing Raphael Yu speak about collecting ceramics. Take a listen to this video.

Congrats to Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie who have some of their beautifully decorated pottery is in this collection. 

Here's an in situ photo taken by Ken Field of Deb and Ray's exhibition Urban Vermin, in the Perry Gallery, at the Art Gallery of Burlington, in Burlington, Ontario. The show runs until  Jan 18, 2015. A visit to the Art Gallery of Burlington is a highlight my trip when I visit Ontario. Their collection of ceramics is outstanding.

Creating Cracked Texture

Watch how Hsin-Chuen Lin creates cracked texture using sodium silicate on his pots in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zb4AG3Hh20&feature=related 

Here's the link to his Esty shop.

He has been extremely generous sharing his skills and techniques on other videos.

Inspired? Time to get to the studio and try it.

We are what we eat off of

These last few months of abundance from the garden were enhanced by the "collection" in my kitchen. This July I visited Mary Fox and purchased one of her peasantware bowls. Yes, food does look and taste better when served in a hand crafted vessel. The colour of the glaze isn't quite right so do take a look at the peasantware link on her portfolio.  I really like how the bare clay feels and I enjoy the sparkling mica on the exterior. Mary said it develops a patina and becomes more lovely over time.

There will be a lot of gatherings coming up where we celebrate with friends, family and food.  Why not make it a tradition to use unique, handmade ceramics? It's like having the artisan join you.

This thought provoking article by Shax Riegler, author of Dish, (I want this book) is well worth reading. There are links to other websites so enjoy the eye candy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903285704576561151124373060.html?mod=WSJ_LifeStyle_Lifestyle_6

Ellen Mulligan commented: "Handmade ceramics truly can change the temper of a day, and the potter joins us at the table and sets the tone."
Here's a platter I made and soda fired at Medalta.

Folded Pots -- soft slab construction

I first stared making "folded pots" after seeing a Lana Wilson video. Check out her work if you aren't familiar with it. She and her work are delightful.
http://www.lanawilson.com/old/index.html

Years later I thought I might be "copying" but on viewing the video again I was pleased to realize that Lana influenced me and that I had made this technique my own, with variations on her method, etc.

The lichen glaze is one from Lana and is mostly lithium with a bit of chrome. It is brownish /purple where thick and can be lime green where thick -- see a touch of green on the handle on the right. Her glaze book is available for purchase...go to above link.

“FOLDED POTS” WORKSHOP

This workshop is offered at your facility or my studio.

- half day or full day workshop === full day is better
- no previous clay experience required

“Folded pots” are fun and exciting to make. You will create a unique vessel using a simple technique. Soft slab construction will be used to handbuild the pot. Mugs, pitchers and baskets are some of the vessels you can make using this method. Texture, along with additions such as handles and feet will be explored. Surface treatments will be discussed. You will learn some new tricks and tips. A handout with glaze and engobe recipes, etc. will be provided. Interested? Contact me at tgpots@yahoo.ca



The purple and green pot has green terra sigillata made from ball clay and green stain. It was refired with
a purple patina. Patina is equal parts frit 3134 and
epk with added stains. The texture was imprinted from a 25 cent garage sale tablecloth.