Cookout!

This Labor Day weekend we enjoyed barbecue-teriyaki grilled chicken, roasted Olathe sweet corn, and ice cold watermelon.

August poll results

Granted, it's a very small data sample and very unscientific, but among those that responded to the poll, the majority throw at the wheel standing up and/or elevated in some fashion. In an unrelated conversation, someone told me they knew a potter who kneeled at the wheel.

Standing - 3
Semi standing - 2
Sitting - 1

Which reinforces something that's been bugging me for a while now.
-Even before I hurt my back this last time, I was putting my wheel up on bricks to raise it even 3". . .
- Nearly all of the serious potters I know have jerry-rigged their wheel(s) to raise it in some way
- The ones that haven't either complain of back problems, and/or have a hunch (whether they realize it or not)

So -why- are wheels built so low in the first place?

The wheels I speak of are SO short, they couldn't possibly be at the right height for any normal human. OK, maybe a 3' child.

Potters from 'across the pond'

Just thought I'd mention some potters I've been following 'across the pond'.

There's Alan from Argyll's blog and companion website -beautiful domestic ware, interspersed with gorgeous views of the Scottish countryside.

Paul the Potter - Barrington, Sommerset, UK.

Douglas Fitch's A Devonshire Pottery, Devon, UK

Hannah McAndrew - more beautiful slipware, located in SW Scotland.

Check them out! They make some great work.

Just had to share this

Always on the lookout for interesting art forms, this one is simply mind-boggling...

This guy makes life-sized bears out of pine needles. Amazing.

and people call -me- patient.

Don't forget to vote!

There are only 2 days left to vote on the poll in the sidebar.

I am interested in finding out how my fellow wheel-throwers prefer to throw. So far, the standers and semi-standers are in the lead.

So go ahead and vote! And feel free to comment here as well, the Blogger tool doesn't leave much flexibility for freeform 'Other' choices.

Clay challenges

I'm having a much more difficult time adjusting to the 'old' clay I used to throw with than I thought I would. Even though it's supposed to be good for beginners to learn with, I'm finding it a lot more finicky than I remember. It's soft, yet stiff at the same time. And STICKY. It doesn't want to move when doing a pull, instead preferring to carve off in my fingers and on my sponge. And yet, I somehow keep putting thin spots in the wall at random, which later either collapse or tear. aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!

I did manage some small 1.5# bowls Tuesday, but the misbehavior seems magnified on larger amounts. I tried a 4# vase tonight which took an hour of finessing to get into shape. Then it collapsed when I put the plastic over it to dry. And then there was a good pound at least in the bottom of my slop bucket when I cleaned up. -- not happy.

Not giving up, but definitely frustrated. I'm going back to small bowls and mugs until I get a handle on this sticky stuff. I remember my begining wheel instructor throwing VERY dry with this clay. I'm thinking that's the only way to battle the stickyness.

But, what's it good for?

I got asked this one again the other day from someone admiring my 'beautiful' saggar pots (their words). And in the same breath, 'But what's it good for?'

It seems to be happening more and more as the economy gets worse, and I'm thinking that this same tendency to connect value with utility is connected to the recent problems at Arrowmont and the NC Pottery Center, and every other arts organization in the country struggling to keep their doors open. As living get's more difficult, it seems the first things to go are those which can lift us out of the dark spaces of 'just surviving'.

Then I read this today over at the ArtBizBlog --Overheard at an art fair 'I don't mind spending money on art--as long as it's useful.'

While I do understand this on a level of someone looking to get the most for their art-purchasing dollar, I think pottery is more connected with an expectation of function than other art forms. I'm not aware of anyone asking 'what's it good for?' of an oil painting for example. You would not expect the buyer to use it as a functional canvas, a pillow top or shower curtain perhaps. (would you??) But make something out of clay and people immediately want to brew tea in it, eat breakfast out of it, drink coffee from it, or stick flowers in it.

'Because it's beautiful and uplifts the human spirit' just doesn't seem to make it with the more practical customers out there. So I'm working on a more concrete list of benefits; here's what I have so far -- please add any others you have in Comments

Studies show that contemplating art lowers stress. (full paper)

Art enhances patient well-being in hospitals.

This is not news to those of us involved in the arts. So let's all start a new campaign -- "Buy Art and Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life!"

Now available on Google Groups

For those of you not using feed readers, you can now subscribe via email to Brian Fields Pottery by joining my Google Group. You'll find the subscription box in my sidebar. Just enter your email, click subscribe, and then confirm the subscription email you'll get.

After you subscribe, you'll automatically get an email any time I post to my blog. I rarely post more than once a day, but you can choose to get a once-a-day digest if you choose.

I do not buy, sell, rent, trade, swap, share, or otherwise distribute your email address. The group is only used for announcements pertaining to Brian Fields Pottery, and you can unsubscribe at any time - no hard feelings.

For the time being, I'm using it to email the blog posts to those who prefer their updates that way, but the group has other functions that might be useful in the future for other things.

Circle of Eight at Pullen Art Center

I don't know where my head has been but I just realized that Jennifer Mecca and the other Circle of Eight potters have a show at the Pullen Art Center in Raleigh, where I do my clay work.

It will run from September 2 until October 31, so if you're in the area, check it out!

I know I'm looking forward to it!

Circle of Eight:

• Adrienne Dellinger


• Jennifer Mecca


• Ron Philbeck


• Amy Sanders


• Greg Scott


• Sandy Singletary


• Julie Wiggins

Changing gears

About 2 years ago I made the decision to concentrate my efforts on learning to throw the white stoneware clay as well as I could. Until then, I'd been switching between 3 or 4 different clays, all with drastically different feels, and I felt I was not making much progress with my skills.
I'm still no expert with white stoneware, but I do know my skills have improved farther and faster than they would have had I kept changing clay bodies every time I threw.

So now with the saggar firing behind me, I'm considering a change. I've had some requests for bowls, and I'm thinking I might give some functional glazed ware another try for a change. I just used up the last of my white, divided it up into 3 1# balls and did some quick pieces. It was fun to throw some quick one-pounders.

To get the requested glaze colors, I'll need to change back to the grogged, buff stoneware we have at Pullen. It'll be a fun change, but I'll be back to white stoneware soon. I can't help myself.

Two more saggar pots

Here are two more saggar pots from last weekend's firing. The tall vase has terra sig, the rounder form is unburnished, natural finish.


I'm hoping to get the last of them cleaned up and finished this weekend.
I've already been examining them, gathering ideas for the next time.

New site established to save Arrowmont

There is now a place to go for news and updates on the situation at Arrowmont as they unfold.

From their About Us page:

The Save Arrowmont! blog was started to raise awareness and share information about the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (AKA: The Pi Beta Phi Settlement School, founded in 1912) and their struggle for preservation.

The blog is run by a loose-knit conglomeration of concerned citizens, community leaders, former staff, artists, writers, reporters, grandmothers, teachers, you, whoever has an affinity and concern for Arrowmont and its future in the arts & crafts community.

http://savearrowmont.wordpress.com/

Light red/pink swirl vase

Here's one of the experiments that turned out.


When it was bone dry greenware, I first put a layer of white terra sig on it, then a couple layers of red. I originally intended for it to be much more red, and more of a solid coat, but the clay had other plans. Turns out the red sig streaked as the pot spun on the wheel, I'm guessing because it was still too thin/watery. I think it's far nicer than what I was going for.

One of my favorites

I really like the way this one came out. The dark grass-like line left by a copper wire couldn't be better if I'd planned it that way.

Arrowmont Update

There is now an e-petition available to help save Arrowmont.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savearrowmont

Arrowmont is a unique and valuable institution for the arts. If it is lost, it won't be as easily replaced as yet another tract of generic high rent condos.

http://www.arrowmont.org/arrowmontnews.html

Pi Beta Phi's side of the story:
http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/

Meagan Chaney also has listed contact info for Pi Beta Phi's Grand Council

Natural finish

Here's two views of one that wasn't burnished or terra sig'ed. It has a natural raw clay surface.

It's possible to seal it with an acrylic resin type product, but I think I prefer the softer colors. But it could bring out the lavendar/purples a little more...
What do you think?

World gone mad?

So, having been following the saga of the NC legislature pulling funding for the NC Pottery Center, threatening it's very existence, Meagan brings my attention to the story that Arrowmont is also being threatened with having their land sold to developers for likely another golf/condo/resort complex.

Has the world gone mad??

It's stunning how short-sighted some people can be in pursuit of a few bucks, neglecting or outright selling our cultural resources and heritage. What kind of world are we leaving to the next generation, devoid of art and beauty?

I'm just hoping this trend of bad news doesn't come in threes this time.

Another one waxed and polished

I got another pot finished --

Results

Overall, the results were very good. There were five of us total, and everyone was happy with their pots. It was cool seeing everyone else's forms. Some small, some large, some handbuilt from textured slabs wrapped into vases.

Unlike glazeware, after the firing the work has only started. We had to unwrap and the scour the pots to remove the ash and residue from firing. Today I began the process of waxing the burnished / terra sig'ed ones. Kinda like waxing my Dad's van as a kid, only smaller.

Here is today's effort, after mowing the yard in between raindrops and other weekend chores.

What do you listen to?

Meagan Chaney's recent technical difficulties got me thinking, I know what I like to listen to when I'm in the studio, I wonder what other people listen to? Do you need music?

For throwing and general working around in the studio, I prefer more instrumental stuff. Usually classical, but depending on my mood it could be anything from Alan Parsons to Kodo. Bach is an old standby, especially the Brandenburg Concertos.

What about podcasts? I find I can't concentrate on them and do pottery at the same time, but outside the studio I have a few I like to listen to. The Firing Log is interesting to me, not being even remotely capable of building my own anagama kiln, just to hear how other people work. I like the people he finds to interview.
Robert Briggs at www.corvusmoon.com does the Pottery Pod, with short videos of different techniques. NCECA has also done a podcast series of the conference the last two years. None of these are very heavily updated, so it's easy to keep up to date on them. For lighter non-pottery listening, NPR has most if not all of their regular shows available through podcast too. All of these podcasts can be found by searching the iTunes site. And you don't have to have a Mac or an iPod to use iTunes. I have a MuVo TX from Creative Labs that I love. It's tiny, holds plenty of music, can do double duty as a USB thumb drive, and has an FM tuner and voice recorder as well.

I have a feeling I'll be listening to something a bit up-tempo as I clean, scrub, wax a buff my pots from the saggar fire yesterday. Stay tuned for pictures!

NC Pottery Center

There's been a lot circulating in the blogospere recently about the financial plight of the North Carolina Pottery Center. If by chance you're not up to speed on the situation, their plea for support can be found here.


In addition to preserving and exhibiting the history of North Carolina pottery, and holding exhibitions, classes and workshops, they are also responsible for giving me my first real taste of how wonderful and creative this art form can be.

There are many ways you can help.

Mark Hewitt is raffling off a salt-glazed jar on August 31 for $20 a ticket here.

AKAR Design is putting 100% of the profit from the sale of pieces marked with the NCPC logo toward the fundraising effort.

Or you can donate directly to the NCPC, or become a member here.

Saggar firing prep

I finished prep work for the saggar firing this weekend. I wrapped these at home Wednesday night. They're experimental test pieces, so I hope some useful information come from them.


Then last night I wrapped the rest where we'll be doing the actual firing on Saturday. Some are unburnished, some are only burnished, some have terra sig. I really don't know what I'll get, but I'm hoping for some interesting surfaces I can develop further.

For some reason I'm craving a baked potato....

Getting Things Done

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the 'stuff' that needs to be done? I know I do. Sometimes the stress of it all leaves me drained and not able to access the inspired, creative side when I finally get some studio time.
Do you ever have all these fantastic ideas and new things to try streaming through your brain.... when you're in the middle of something else, headed out the door, or otherwise occupied? Then when you get to the studio sit there trying to figure out what they were? Me too.
Do you own a day planning calendar, and use it (or not), but still have the feeling of 'there's GOT to be a better way?'

Since I have a full-time job and do pottery in between, it's a challenge both finding the time and making the most of it when I do. But time management isn't the end of it, otherwise we'd all have a calendar and everything would be perfect.

About a year ago I found a different way of looking at the problem, called Getting Things Done, or GTD. Pioneered by David Allen, it picks up where Stephen Covey's 7 Habits and the Franklin Planner leave off.

One of the principles is that every task/idea has a Context. This filters your todo's and projects so that when you're near a computer, you look at your @Computer list, and don't have to sift through a big list of unrelated tasks. Or if you're in the mood to do some phone calls, you look at @Phone. A few of my contexts are @home, @work, @studio and @PC.

Other principles address the need for a 100% idea-capture system, a simple fast filing system for all those ideas, and a reliable follow-up system. He contends that keeping all your thoughts and ideas in your head leads to stress and forgetfulness. If you can capture them into a system where you know you'll find them when you need to, it frees you to give your' full attention to whatever you're doing.

I've been using GTD for a while now, and although I fall off the wagon for periods of time, it really does help better manage my time. And when I'm not, it doesn't take very long to notice and get back on track.

How do you throw?

Jen Mecca was kind enough to post about her throwing technique after I'd asked her about it. Jen throws standing up, which I've recently switched to after compressing a disk in my back this past spring. It was non-pottery related, I was changing a flat tire, but it got me even more motivated to minimize the strain of what can be a physically demanding craft.

I'd already started putting my wheel up on 3 bricks to raise the wheelhead, which was better, but still not high enough. The art center has one Brent wheel with the leg extensions for standing, so I've been using that one ever since.

Robert Compton has a nice page of different potters working. My favorite is with the wheel mounted on the ceiling. I'd actually thought of that myself once while musing the challenges of gravity. Now I find out someone else was doing it back in 1971... I was taught to throw pretty dry, but I can't help thinking you'd need a rain poncho and a shower cap for that one!

John Glick has written some great articles sharing his hard learned lessons in back health. His 'To Sciatica and Back' should be a cautionary tale for us all, as well as the followup 'Down the Spinal Canal: From Herniation to Rupture'

So my informal, unscientific poll in the sidebar asks you: How do you throw?

Photo montage

So this weekend I finally got around to taking pictures of my past and present work so you can see what the heck I'm talking about. I'm also going to backpost some of these into my previous posts for future newcomers.

Naked raku


These are from my one and only attempt at this. It was in a class at the art center and there wasn't much leeway for experimentation. I like the overall effect, and I can see the potential there, but I'd like to try some different masking slips to see if I can get a larger crackle pattern.

Saggar firing


These are more recent, using the tin-foil saggar method described in Alternative Kilns and Firing Techniques. Great book, full of ideas. It covers raku, sagger, pit and barrel firing, with dozens of variations.

Works awaiting the flames....

These are a few of the pieces I have waiting to be saggar fired next Saturday. The orange is the first attempted application of red terra sig. The shinier ones have had white t.s. applied and been polished. This is the last look at them before they're wrapped in aluminum foil in a cocoon of plant materials and metal salts.