Thursday, October 1, 2009

Some Pots, some Autumnal Pictures

It's been sort of a crazy week or so for our household, and while I've actually logged more studio hours than normal, I haven't been doing such a great job posting.  So here's me, trying to make up for that by posting pictures of a week's worth of pots, etc.

We'll start with a low point:  the bowls below, wherein the blue-slip spiral design is not particularly attractive.  These will find themselves filled with glaze further toward opaque on the transparency spectrum.  The slip/spirals should lend some texturing/depth to the glazes without overpowering them.  Also visible on the bat there are a couple lids for some hopeful little pots.  I don't do lids a whole lot, but every once in a while throwing a lid on a little pot makes a world of difference.  I've got a couple little vases from last week's batch that could just possibly benefit from getting a little lid action on.

A few splatter bowls.  I like to splash a little slip into the bowl before I finish off the rim of the bowl with a chamois.  That produces a pretty slick look around the edge, and a nice clean line, as in the top two bowls, where the slip actually seems to have been spread around the whole edge of the bowl.  I rather like this look, and I hope you (and others) do, too.

Here's a couple little pots that will have lids.  I'm trying something new here with using two slips **oooh!!!** It's kind of a sunset effect.  Or something.  Just doing something fun for myself here.  If it doesn't work out, I'll survive.

Another bigger plate.  We'll see what happens with it.  I'm always a little nervous about larger pieces (like large-based plates, bowls) on these wooden bats, because wood has a tendency to absorb moisture and release moisture and generally fluxuate freely with moisture which can: a) warp the piece as it's on the bat, and/or b) lead to issues decorating as the bat's warping can cause irregular motion on the wheel, even if the pot itself is relatively centered and stable.  So, in short, I threw a plate on a wooden bat and I may regret it.  Moving on...

Quite low flat bowl.  Much closer to a plate than most of the bowls like this have been.  I'm optimistic about it.  I'll keep you posted as things develop.

More bowls.  A set, perhaps?  1.5, 3, and 4.5 pounds respectively, so they should be nicely scaled as a set of serving/mixing bowls.  We'll see how I feel about it later.  These have been trimmed and slipped and will be decorated tonight.

And some more bowls.  A trio of bowls, in fact. Not so much a set, but they could be I suppose.  These were fast, fun, and easy.

In the meantime, my darling wife Krystal (left, wearing my awesome, clay covered, Switchfoot t-shirt) and her friend Katie (right) are taking the Guild's intermediate throwing class this fall.  It's been fun to spend time in the studio together, even if we're working separately.  They're both doing very well with the throwing, and enjoying Hide's instruction very much.  If you're in Northern Colorado and have wanted to take a pottery class (throwing of any level or handbuilding) I'd highly recommend checking out the Guild's classes - there should be plenty of offerings starting in January.

In any event, this is what Krystal threw on Tuesday night - a beautiful pot which they're going to Raku at some point.  Should be fun. 

In the meantime, we've also spent plenty of time doing appropriately autumnal things.  Here's just a few snapshots of the fall we've been able to enjoy the last couple weeks...

Sunny fall football games - Go Rams!!!  Row 4 for CSU's 35-20 win against Nevada.  For the record, the Wolfpack were favored to win by 3.

Watching the aspens turn to gold.

Hiking in the mountains.

Hiking on top of the mountains.  Here I've conquered the Estes Cone (RMNP's 94th tallest peak).  It's not particularly tall, but the views are incredible.

That's it for today.  Note that below I've also posted an ad for an upcoming show (end of October) that I'll be particpating in.  I should be posting one more such flyer as it is available.  Thanks again for reading, and have a great day!

RETRACTION: I was momentarily dyslexic this afternoon.  Krystal, my wife, is on the LEFT in the above picture.  Katie is on the right.  I can assure you that these mistakes and confusions never occur in real life.  And, Krystal has forgiven my transgression. 

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