Just for fun a Picnic Basket

Things have finally quietened down, though I am suspecting it is only because xmas is fast approaching. There is also the fact that a shoulder op will have me out of action for about 4 weeks. I will be doing lot of planning in my head and some sketching, as much as I hate it, and making myself stay out of the studio. Starting to organize my head for some new work for next year. Along with more experimentation with 1190o Crystalline glazes, being able to combine that with some Mid Fire Quartz pieces to kill to birds with one stone. Maximizing kiln use to save some electricity and time also.

Busy October

I have been part of two group exhibitions this month and so September and October have been pretty busy to say the least. Both exhibitions went well with lots of great feedback and I think quality was up on last year at our Noosa Arts and Crafts Pottery group exh "Clay Fiesta". We also had our first exh at the Pomona Railway Gallery again successful and great as it was up for a whole month. So I am relieved that Oct is just about done, hopefully a little quiet time running up to Xmas, though probably not. I would like to get a few projects that have been on the back burner underway. I have been trialing some 1190o crystalline glazes with enough success to continue with this temprature. Maybe it is the way to go use a bit less electricity better for the environment and the pocket. Guess the run up to Xmas has just been planned.

Till next time

Wendy

Nature's Simpicity

Even though I am really slack at adding to my blog I have been doing lots of work in the studio. Things are coming along nicely with the development of my new range, again something different for me using impressed tiles for wall work. Using native plants is very satisfying and as I live on property I have an abundance of things to work with. I have had some really good feedback regarding the new work. I am still working on my crystalline glazes with some success have even ventured into some lower temperature glazes which has been interesting with enough nice results to continue along this line.

Until next time

Wendy

My Mentor Don Jones

Recently at tafe we were asked to write a piece on someone who had inspired us. They were to be considered for publication in a magazine while mine was not selected I thought this a good oportuntity to share some of my story with you.

I met Don Jones in early 2003. I was immediately take by his love and knowledge of pottery. Within a short time he had me with clay in hand (for the first time) on the wheel. While not a natural I was hooked from the start with Don guiding the way I slowly got the hang of centering and pulling up walls. Then of course I wanted to make something. Alas, "100 decent cylinders" was the reply from Don. While always encourageing me he wanted perfection.

After a career in the Air Force, Don went into production pottery for over 30years. Perfection was the key and of course if it wasn't round it wasn't pottery. Don is now 87 and fading with time, he does enjoy seeing my new work. His passion for wheel work inspired me to work hard on my forms. Don and his partner Judith Gledhill had their own studio in Trinity Gardens SA in the 70's and 80's making a living from their work.

He was awarded a Fellowship to the SA Arts Association in 1974 and has exhibited widely. A quote of his in the Guild Potter's of SA booklet is "I don't want to be organized - I just want to be left alone to make pots". I can hear the words coming out of his mouth.

I (not eveyone) always found Don willing to share his knowledge with me once he decided I was serious about pottery. Unfortunately just as I was becoming confident in my ability to take full advantage of his knowlede he retired. He passed on his love for the ceramic world and gave me fantastic grounding in wheel work, kiln loading, glaze making and techinques on which to base my ceramic practice, for which I am eternally grateful. Who knows where it may take me in life's journey.

Till next time

Wendy

Waiting Game

Well another day another firing (not really) I have a kiln of crystalline pieces to be opened tomorrow hopefully there will be something nice to show. I have a couple of test colours in also as well as the tried and true. I have managed to get a couple of pit (barrel) firings done with some good though not spectacular results, luckily as it has started raining here yet again. The actual pit was finally empty well for a couple of days. I have been working hard on some sculptural pieces and wall work which is not my usual field. Throwing functional ware is my favourite pastime, so this is making me use the grey matter who knows what may come out of this maybe something fantastic, maybe not.

Until next time, which will be soon if tomorrows results are good.

Wendy

Crystalline Vase

Well finally a sale, this beautiful Crystalline Vase has a new home in Sydney, I think it's great that someone likes my work enough to want it in their home. I admit I was beginning to think that I was going to have to keep every one of them. People keep telling me they are beautiful but alas they are still at my house maybe this is the start of something bigger and better. I have been busy working on some wall pieces some of which are to be crystalline glazed, I see them exactly in my mind can't wait to see them on the wall. I have also just finished my first block of childrens workshops they went really well and the kids made some great stuff will post some photos when the pieces are fired. Maybe this will lead to some more work in this area which would be fantastic. Anyway off to the shed to fire the kiln and do some throwing for an order.

Till next time Wendy

The ecstsy and the agony

Well upon opening the kiln of my latest crystalline firing for a minute I was really excited, then on closer inspection of the two sculptural forms great crystals shame about the bloating in the clay. Hence the ecstasyand then the agony. I have managed to get some great crystals in successive firings which is encourageing for something that is so tempremental and difficult to achieve. Just when I am about to give up something spectacular turns up. The glaze and firing cycles for them are still pretty much a mystery to me 18months into my journey of discovery. I can see why ceramic artists that choose this glaze get obsessed and it becomes the work of their lifetime. I have to say I am not there yet though getting close. Hopefully the good will start out weighing the bad in results soon, maybe I am being impatient and there is much more work to be done.

by now Wendy

Hard at work

Finally two days in a row at home to work in the studio for as long as I like. I may actually be able to get some things finished. Some time to get on the wheel which I haven't done much of lately for some reason I have been doing a bit of sculptural stuff which is left field for me. I have started work on a torso my very first, not as easy as I thought. I am thinking I will pit fire her though she will certainly have to wait for the hole in the ground to dry out no chance she is going to fit in the drum. She was going to be raku though she grew too much and definitely won't fit in the raku bin so I guess I will just have to make another. With that I will be off to the shed.

See you soon Wendy

Success at last

Finally enough sun to dry some wood to enable me to do a firing last Sunday all be it not in the pit, it is still full of water (or maybe again) so I had to go to plan B of using the old drum. I used some dried coffee in the firing as well as some miracle grow and salt. I am not unhappy with the results though more pinks would have been nice. I need to get some tiles done for a wall work for an upcoming exhibition, typical me enter and then make the work, guess it keeps me on my toes. Will have to get out and collect some more wood to put undercover to dry out as it rained all day today. Hopefully the winter dry weather won't be far away.

Until next time

Wendy

From my garden

The sun is finally shining (who knows for how long). Looking for some inspiration I went for a walk around the garden found some interesting leaves to impress. While definately not a new concept it is my first time using it. After exhausting the flora I went to the box of bits in my studio and found some shells, coral and even a toy seahorse, flower and gecko. I am know looking forward to a trip up the beach to see what else I can find to use. With different combinations of glaze and clay body this exercise should keep me occupied for a little while. Boxed these small dishes will make a great gift idea.

Take Care Wendy

It never rains it only pours

It never rains it only pours

Here I am with all my bisque ware ready to for my frst pit firing of 2010, looking at this I don't think it will ever happen.

It could take months for the hole to be dry enough to fire in. So I will keep making and when it finally drys out I will have enough work for multiple frings. Guess I will just have to use the time to collect interesting organic matter to try.

Otherwise I could always do some electric kiln firing of other ware. Maybe it is time to try some sculptural forms in Crystalline Glazes.

Take Care Wendy

Help is on the way!

Well hi again obviously I am in need of help with this new (ha ha) technology stuff, you would not believe how long it takes me to do this thankfully help is on the way.
Maybe next week there will be new and exciting information if my motivation/inspiration returns. Things have been a little slow on the creativity front for me so far this year.