In the Studio
It was 40 Years Ago Today… (close enough)
40 years ago I packed up my Connestoga wagon with all of my worldly possessions and sailed down the Interstate 95 corridor from Poughkeepsie, NY to Fredericksburg, Virginia. I thought that I was accepting a job managing the Fredericksburg Pottery, turns out I was starting a life! I will share …Read More »
Ten Past Five
I always enjoy the start of a new cycle in the studio…it’s always a time of great anticipation as I reinvent myself yet again. I have plenty of ideas for new work, but I also need to build up some of my standard inventory. Juggling those two is always a …Read More »Firing Ruminations
The firing that I first thought might happen last Wednesday eventually happened on Monday. Now the kiln is cooling and I’ll unload tomorrow. The firing of the first chamber lasts about 16 hours and I start early in the morning so we’re not here too late into the evening. I …Read More »It’s Firing Season!
I’m loading the first of 3 firings on the trot. This photo shows the back half of the chamber loaded up. I’ve never had a a sabbatical, it seems I’m always juggling the ‘make-fire-sell’ circus. But I did manage to set aside a rare chunk of time this winter to …Read More »Virginia Earth: Ceramic Arts at the Portsmouth Arts and Cultural Center
This exhibition runs until October 18th. Artists include Sukjin Choi, David Crane, Kevin Crowe, Randy and Catherine Edmonson, Dan Finnegan, Warren Frederick, Steven Glass, Silvie Granatelli, Chris Gryder, Diane Hottenstein, Mike Jabbur, Marlene Jack, John Jessiman, Elizabeth Kendall, Andrea Keys, Barbra Kobylinska, Josh Manning, Dale Marhanka, Stephen Marder, Richard Nickel, …Read More »Murder in the Library
I’ve learned from Tony Clennell that a catchy title can draw a lot of readers, so, if you’ve made your way here, we can both thank Tony! So, I’ve been making variations on these birds for a 4 years or so and I’ve tried to continue to find new ways to …Read More »Searching for Momentum
With a good size kiln to fill. my making cycle is a long one and I seem to creep up on the next one somewhat stealthily. I was on the road for most of 3 weeks and it was weeks before that when i made the last pot for the …Read More »Buttoned Up and Letting Go
I have been mooching around the kiln the last couple of days, taking care of a variety of odd jobs as I fill time before Wednesday evenings ignition. I often struggle with the timing of my firings…it’s the one part of my working life that I can’t do alone and …Read More »Dan Finnegan – Dumb Ass
Another good title for this would be “Pride goeth before the Fall” My studio is a fairly primitive place…no running water and no electricity (I run my wheel on a generator) and the littlest gas heater I can get away with. This is mostly by choice, both environmentally and financially …Read More »Resolve
I’ve never been a resolution-maker….I suppose that I know myself too well for that. But I do have some projects for the new year to keep it interesting. Of course, the biggest wrinkle is my return to full-time pottery making…some great opportunities lie ahead and I’m so happy to be …Read More »