The Big Event

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Friday evening we hosted a fundraising event at Libertytown that turned out to be a great financial success as well as a whole lot of fun. We called this evening ‘The Big Event’ because it concluded something that we started a month ago.
Here’s the idea, which came from the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia, just an hour up the road from us:
We asked artists affiliated with our gallery to donate an original piece of work worth at least $150.00…we ended up with 53! donations of everything from oil paintings to mosaics to pottery. We installed them in our gallery and opened the show last First Friday.
With 53 pieces in hand we then sold 53 tickets for $100.00 each (in less than 3 days!) with the understanding that at the end of the month we would hold a drawing. That’s what we did Friday evening.
With all the ticket holders or their agents on hand and plenty of friends and supporters to cheer us on. We began pulling names from a lovely handmade basket. The first name pulled can choose any piece in the show! The second name picked goes next on etc. down the line until there is one last name and one last piece! The real challenge for the ticket buyers was to prioritize the work because they wouldn’t know in which order they would be picked. We provided a list which you can see is blown up on the wall (that’s Beth Jordan keeping track below).
We’ve never had a more scrutinized exhibition as everybody came by at some time this month and spent hours reviewing their possible choices.
Spirits were high and folks were very prepared. We planned on 3 minutes per choice in case people were stumped, but spirits were high and we moved along quite briskly. The adrenaline and anticipation made for an exciting time. I was the MC for the evening, with Aline and Elizabeth and April keeping everything tight.
Thanks to everyone that donated or bought or helped or attended…it was a fine evening… our town at it’s best!


Everyone looking to see the latest piece picked.

Notice all the folks holding or checking their list.

Peanuts

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I never get tired of folks who enjoy my work. Karen Johnson visited from California with a local friend and she swept into Libertytown Friday afternoon, full of enthusiasm and compliments. I’d never met her before, but she is a fine ceramic artist in her own right and somehow she has remembered my work from a couple of rare Ceramics Monthly appearances. She is the director of the Charles Schultz Museum in Santa Rosa, California. She really made my day…who doesn’t like to be told that they are wonderful?!
Thanks, Karen!

Martin Bros. Homage

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Here’s what became of the recent coin banks. This could be the start of a blogging revolution. Perhaps AKAR will one day have a sale like their Yunomi show…think of it, hundreds of people saving money by buying our handmade pots!

The banks were fun, but this next piece has me close to giddy. I have admired the salt glazed pots of the Martin Brothers for a long time. Years ago, Toff and I toured the house of an eccentric Englishman (is that redundant?) who had dozens of pieces. Having seen them I liked them even more and I finally decided to take a run at making one of my own.


Just like the Martin Bros., this is a lidded jar. They made all kinds of exaggerated and grotesque animals. I don’t have much of a palette to do it justice, but this might be one of several over time. I once undertook to make 100 vases shaped like fish (fodder for another blog). I doubt I could make 100 of these, but a few more might be nice.


My Generator

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I was asked a while ago about the equipment I use at my studio since I don’t have electricity. This is my super quiet Honda generator. Pricey, but worth every penny. I also bought myself a Shimpo Whisper Wheel. It is half the horsepower of my ancient Brent CXC and much quieter, but will still handle way more clay than I would ever throw.

Production

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Sunday was the last day I could spend on the wheel and I decided I’d finish up with one last batch of mugs and coin banks. I ran out of steam at 75 pots! I used to throw like this all the time. Simple pots made quickly…the Winchcombe way. I’ll spend a couple of days putting on handles and glazing and then it’s time to begin loading the kiln. I hope that I have enough pots
( I always have this worry).
There seems to be a pack mentality to this blogging world. Both Hannah and Doug have also made coin banks in the last week and I’m stealing a few of their ideas as I finish mine. And Michael is now threatening to make some. Anna Branner at LibertyTown had made some as well. It’s got to be the economy!?


More nature photos:
I don’t like snakes…my response is rather biblical. But this black snake was full of some rodent and I had to take a photo. It’s close to 5′ long.


And here’s a little cheesecake for the ladies…Ryan Olsen has been helping me this spring…cutting wood, moving brick and generally tidying up the pottery site. This bird had crashed into a wall and he held it for a long time before it regrouped and flew off. A regular Dr. Doolittle!

A Week to Go

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I only left myself two weeks to make pots for the wood chamber and the clock is ticking ever faster. I plan to fire then sort and ship and then it’s off to merry ol’ England for 7 weeks! (life is tough!). I’ve been revisiting some of my ‘production potter’ chops to make a lot of pots fast. These bowls will be boxed…that is stacked rim to rim and foot to foot.
Paul and Emily and Ellie return early next week so my retreat at the farm is coming to a close. All I’ve been doing is making pots, mowing grass and watching late night NBA playoffs. Oh, and drinking tea. I could get used to this simple life!


I made a few 12 pound vases…still beyond my comfort level to work this big, but I’m getting there.

Here are two pieces after I’ve just put them together. The next photo shows what I did with it.

Kinfolk

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This, as always, has been an action-packed few days with the highlight being a brief visit from my brother Mike’s two kids. Michael Murray Finnegan on the left and Madison Finnegan to the right. It’s been too many years since we last met and I was really happy that they made the time to visit. Michael is working for the AHL hockey team in Rochester, NY and Madda is in college for business in Buffalo (our hometown). They are both a lot of fun.

I’m still in charge at the farm and I thought I’d share the scene from the porch where I’ve been enjoying my toast and tea in the morning.

The weekend started Friday, setting up at the Reston Art Festival with Susan Wyatt. We were showing a bunch of our collaborative work as well as Susan’s own work.
First thing Saturday morning we had our annual artists’ Yard Sale at Libertytown. About 14 artists set up and we did steady business all morning. Nothing like a sale. I sold seconds for the first time in 25 years! I had very few when I fired with gas, but the wood kiln is not quite as predictable….which is why I like it…and why it can be maddening.

Sunday it was back to Reston for the show and taking it all down. I’ve never done too many, but I am always reminded of how much work they are. It was great to see some old friends…Tom Clarkson and Terry Gess and Jeff Kleckner…plus I got to meet Richard Aerni…all excellent potters and really good guys. Below is part of our display.

Just before the show was over this little guy came cruising by!He constantly worked his back legs even though they were held up off the ground by this contraption. Indomitable!

Weekend Update III

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I’ve had a great couple of days in the studio; the weather today was exquisite. This is a robust vase that I’m pleased with. Thankfully the mice have left it alone.

I haven’t made banks for coins in a long time…perhaps inspired by our economic woes!?

A couple of little oval vases with different handle placements and a few of the cruets finished yesterday.

Now I’ve got teapot parts everywhere…

Everyone’s a Critic

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I’m farm sitting for the next few weeks which means that I’ll be sitting in front of my computer a little less frequently. It’s a bit like a retreat…taking care of the horses, dogs, cats and gardens, and making (I hope) lots of pots. I’ve got to fill the wood chamber…fast.

I’m overrun with mice in my studio and I’m growing weary of them chewing on the sprigs…the photo is a little out of focus, but you can see they are not showing me any love. Everyone’s a critic!

A Book, a Technique, a Result

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One of the many rewards of my time spent at Winchcombe is the aesthetic foundation that it gave me. Ray Finch distilled the ideas that Michael Cardew explored and ever since I worked with Ray I’ve been using those distilled ideas as my own. Building my wood burning kiln has inspired me to pay more attention to the pots that were the original source of their inspiration and this book has become a constant companion.

If you’ve been reading this blog you know that I’m besotted with making bottles and using sprig molds… the book is full of Bartmann or Bellermine pots and they are covered in shallow ‘sprig’ molds like the ones below.

I carved this rather primitive version, which, as I’ve said before, really has me amused lately. I could put it on just about everything I’m making these days if I wasn’t such a sensible bloke.

And here are a few minis from the last firing. The tallest is about 5″high.

Muggage

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The last few days have been centered around our First Friday Exhibition Opening at LibertyTown. We’re having a fundraiser this month and the support has been wonderful. I”ll write more on that later.
I did get back to the studio for a few hours today to finish this batch of mugs. I’ll throw more tomorrow. Time’s a’wastin’!

I like a strap handle on most things like a mug…mine have grown broader than at Winchcombe, but relative to many, they are somewhat understated.

I put several different ‘dust catchers’ where your thumb falls on the top of the handle. I like how this one mirrors the same shape as the handle itself.

Odds and Sods

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I just got a box of books in the mail , ordered via mail from a remainders company. Al Capp wrote and drew ‘Lil’Abner’ a comic strip that was groundbreaking for it’s time. I like some of the old comics a great deal, ‘Pogo’ especially. “We have met the enemy, and he is us”!

I’ve still been in the studio, steadily working towards an early June firing. This is a week for mugs…I always promise myself that I’ll make a hundred. I usually fall short. Back in the day I made lots of batches of hundreds.




Thanks to Dave Breedin for leading me to this great pile of wood for the kiln. Hardwood edgings, ready to go.

Weekend Update – third in a series.

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We all love these ‘wet slip’ photos. The way it pools accentuates the faces in a way that cracks me up.

1 pound vases. These got handles and lugs and sprigs. I’ll slip them tomorrow.

This is the strap that I pull before cutting it in two and applying to the sides of this big bread crock. I should have taken a side view to really see how it works, but this profile is always important to me.


This is a little sgraffito calligraphy. I’m drawn to the old pots that had place names or numbers that referred to gallons of capacity stamped or painted on them. I filled the lettering in with my cobalt slip.

I have been on a roll lately, getting to the studio almost every day. I like it…

This Weeks Nature Report

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Earlier this week I wrote about the gypsy chickens that I discovered in the middle of the woods and the possible coyote sighting in the same area. I’m more and more convinced that it was a coyote….and the chickens are definitely gone. Coincidence?…I think not.
The weather has turned summer hot (90 degrees!!!) but up until a couple of days ago it has been a lovely spring and all god’s creatures seem to be enjoying it. This is a bad photo taken with my little digital camera’s zoom of two wild turkeys that sauntered through my field on Thursday afternoon. I haven’t seen turkeys in a few years and they are known to be elusive, so this was a treat. They wandered and pecked their way across the field and then slowly made their way into the woods. I’m hoping that they’ll come back.

Earlier the same day I drove through a field that must have had close to 30 American Black Vultures on the ground. They remind me of morticians in their somber black and gray. They certainly have a rather grave occupation.

Last year this hawk must have been love sick…he drove me a little crazy with his relentless and plaintive screeching. This year there is a pair nearby and I like to believe that he met his match. It is much quieter this year, anyway.



Driving out late last night 9 deer just stared at me while they enjoyed a snack in the fields. No fear at all…usually they would ‘high tail it’ out of there. And then there are the rabbits that eat the road!?!

Tools Of the Trade

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Michael recently wrote about standing at the wheel vs. sitting when throwing a pot. My own wheel is set up half way between the two. My measurements are based on the English wheels that I got to know. They are a much more substantial machine than most of our wheels here in the U.S. The seat is high enough that my legs are completely extended and I’m almost standing…but not. It is easy to step away and get a better look at the profile of a pot. I also like plenty of padding on the seat!

Like all potters, I’ve accumulated loads of tools over the years, but most of the pots I throw are made with these four basic tools. A scrap of sponge. A needle tool. A butter knife with the edge ground down. And a stainless steel, kidney shaped rib with one end cut square. Everything else is an extravagance.

I weigh all the clay out before I begin. Most of my scales I’ve used are these old, fairly inaccurate scales that are easy to find in thrift stores. This one is red…one of my favorites

Some three pound lumps ready to go.

A gratuitous photo of the pocket door in my winter studio.

Poultry on the Lam

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Once I turn down the dirt road to my studio I’m entering a very different world. It’s a mile or so down a rough, potholed track that traverses farm fields of corn, soybeans and right now, winter wheat. Halfway in the woods take over and there is always good wildlife viewing here. Wild turkey and deer, rabbits and hawks are common. Wet, discouraged chickens, however, are a rare sight. The last two days I’ve come upon these two forlorn chickens on the edge of the woods. There are a lot of geese migrating back north these days…perhaps they are en route?! I’m not sure where they could have come from. Today they were absent, but as I left this evening I saw a critter that resembled a coyote/dog cross the field in the same general vicinity.
Curious…


I’ve been getting to the studio regularly and the pots are flying off my fingers. I’ve got these 9 seven pounders to slip and glaze tomorrow. Made in two parts. The two in front get lids.

I continue to be on a bottle kick and these little guys are made with one pound. I could make them for days and I really like them with the face sprigs.


I also finished up a dozen bread plates and a dozen soup bowls. These all have a kaolin slip on them and are inspired by a beautiful pie dish from the last firing. I love revisiting the old combing tricks. This slip sets up beautifully on the leatherhard pots and allows me to move a little slower than I have in the past. I feel like I’m making a ‘cleaner’ pattern this way. Anyway, I like them a lot. I should take a photo to show, but the comb is just a piece of a flexible plastic lid cut with teeth of various sizes and spacings.

Flying Disc Tournement

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For more than 30 years friends of mine have organized a frisbee tournament here in Fredericksburg. It started when they all attended Mary Washington College here. 4 events are held over two days (golf, distance, maximum time aloft and freestyle) with an overall winner declared at the end as well as individual winners. I’ve been making trophies for most of those years. It is all sponsored by ‘Laszlo’s Weenie World’, a loose consortium of good hearted people who work most of the year to provide delicious food (all vegetarian!) and entertainment and what we call ‘goof factor’ for a couple of hundred people. Competitors come from all over the US and, just like the pottery world, there are a lot of gray haired folks about! I got to visit for a couple of hours this afternoon and see the finals of the freestyle. It is a great scene.



We Shove the Poles in the Holes

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On yet another glorious spring day, Nicky and Michael drove down the hill and we planted three willow trees. We’ve talked about planting trees ever since I began building on this spot. Maybe 10 years…and except for a failed plum tree venture, this is momentus. A little triangle of willow. They don’t show up too well here, but they are close to 10 feet tall and are a fast growing tree. Nicky enjoyed using pink material to tie them off. I need to replace the rainbarrels I lost to freezing this winter. Keeping them wet this summer will be critical.


I started making some 7lb. bottles and bread plates.


And here are the planters from earlier this week, glazed, slipped, handled and ready to go.

Once again, my title is plundered from a song. Any guesses?

Who Needs Lunch…

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…when Emily and Elle Bird show up with rhubarb/raspberry pie!?


A Question of Balance

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It is a rare occurrence that I drop a pot, let alone three. Yesterday was one of those rare ones. As much as I hate to admit it, it feels like putting a match to some money. Losing the effort, the time, the cash…it all bothers me. Now that I’m a Blogger, reactions are compounded….first it’s “Damn#%&*%$”…then it’s “I better get a photo of this”


Other than wrecking pots, I had a good lunch with Bea, Paul and Rudi and then made another batch of planters, this time with a darker clay for the wood chamber. I do put holes in them, to answer Patricia’s question. On big ones, I put several holes in the side instead of the bottom. Better drainage.


Extra credit for naming the band who’s album title I stole for today’s title!

Planter Day

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I have always loved making pots for plants….I’ve never been a big gardener myself, but I have always known passionate gardeners and they do wonderful things with pots and plants. Aline is my current collaborator. I find making planters quite liberating…I’m usually using more clay than normal and I know I’m going to add all kinds of handles and the form and shape are less proscribed in my mind than pots for food might be.
Sometimes the bottom of the kiln is cooler than the rest and putting pots there that have less invested in them is often my strategy. Planters fit that bill. This last firing the planters were beautiful and I’ve already sold a bunch. Good pots always sell first.

This next one is a 15 pounder. It will go in the back bottom of the salt chamber eventually.

I’m also watching these ‘Emily’ storage jars. They have a ginger jar type lid and it is still a new idea for me. I usually find a way to alter or add a handle or two to any pot that I make, but these seem to insist on austerity and I’m happy to oblige. There are also some trophy mugs for Laszlo’s Weenie World.

Slippin’

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Nothing like that wet slip glistening on a leatherhard pot. A week or so ago I made an optimistic but knuckleheaded decision to move to my bigger, unheated studio and it’s been cold and windy ever since. I’ve finished off this batch of vases and finally gave up and dragged my wheel, generator and basic tools back to my cozy and heated little studio this afternoon. I made a bunch of ‘Emily’ ginger jars and finished up some mugs I made as awards for the frisbee tournament this weekend. I’ve been making various awards for this event for almost 30 years.
I also mowed the grass…first of the year. It’s so satisfying.


Caption Contest

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Here’s a scene from the farm today that deserves a better title than I can come up this weary evening. Any suggestions?

Today was near perfect. Beautiful spring weather and an entire day to spend in the studio. 22 pots to finish – 44 handles. I almost counted the # of sprigs , but I resisted. But I do wonder…how many little tiny balls of clay the size of a cooked grain of rice can a man make in a day? I really liked a round vase from the last firing so I made a whole bunch of variations on that theme. Putting them together takes about twice as much time as throwing them. I am deliberate these days in how I do that. I like both processes…throwing takes more focus for me, finishing/handbuilding is more relaxed. And all of it is good when listening to the Piedmont blues, drinking cups of tea and watching the goldfinches at the feeder, sometimes 7 at the same time.



A 7th Beginning

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I’ve been anxious to get right back to making pots after such a good firing and I’m hoping to fire again before I leave for England in mid-June. That means making a lot of pots in a short and focused time. The weather has been great and I shifted all my stuff from the winter studio to the summer studio about a 75 foot trek (I think I’ve told you the story before of why I have 2?). My plan was to start throwing yesterday and it turned out to be windy and cold and I turned tail after a couple of hours and came back to town. Today was better by about 5 degrees and I eventually sat myself down and threw a bunch of vase forms. The straight stubby neck is a little different for me. It is always good to get a new cycle underway. My hands have that ultrasmooth feel and a slight tingle from the friction of spinning clay. My hands show the wear of many years in wet clay.
So, here is my wheel, facing east, and ready for pots for firing #7.

For some reason the pot I wanted to make was only 2 and 3/4 lbs. but I weighed out 4 lbs lumps. I made 4 big ones, but the scale wasn’t working for me and I went back to my original idea. They will all get handles and sprigs and will mostly go in the salt chamber.


I spoke with Toff this morning about our upcoming show together. Titled “Toff’s Mid-Summer Madness”, we will both be selling current work and telling tales about our 30 year friendship and pottery support system. Of course, Winchcombe is the touchstone of our connection and we plan to celebrate the contribution that both Ray Finch and Eddie Hopkins made. More details to come about that.