Hi there boys and girls.
Just to say everything's good here - mad busy and working long hours, hence a bit of an absence from the land of blog recently.
Normal service will be resumed shortly.
Happy weekend all
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Tuesday
It's been hard getting things to click into gear in my head. I needed a break so badly at Christmas, although it took until a couple of days after the event to realise that.
I really struggle to get going from a standing start, with empty shelves - not that they're ever really empty, they soon fill up with mouldy mugs and other debris that become a metaphore for my chaotic and disorganised lifestyle - but that's what makes me who I am I suppose, whether that be a good thing or not, and as a consequence, my work turns out the way it does.
Today the sun shone and on my way back after walking Digger I stood and looked at the workshop for a moment. I was very briefly back there in the summer, looking at the beautiful rose that rambles across the gable end. I love weather whatever it is these days, as long as I'm dry and warm, but it was wonderful to get the realization into my head that Spring and Summer are to come.
So a bit of sunshine and gradually refreshing the shelves has warmed and lifted my spirit and with that comes the inspiration and energy that has felt lacking lately.
I've started making batches in mulitples of six again - it fulfills me and lends itself well to the variety of slip combinations and techniques that I employ - I can afford to lose a couple, so can take more chances with decoration, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. (There are actually six of these three pound jars although only five in the picture.)
There was an extraordinary double rainbow today. I guess I could have moved so that the end was on the workshop, but I have no yearning for gold..........well maybe a little - rats, I blew that.
Right, off to see the Buzzcocks - Rock & Roll!!
I really struggle to get going from a standing start, with empty shelves - not that they're ever really empty, they soon fill up with mouldy mugs and other debris that become a metaphore for my chaotic and disorganised lifestyle - but that's what makes me who I am I suppose, whether that be a good thing or not, and as a consequence, my work turns out the way it does.
Today the sun shone and on my way back after walking Digger I stood and looked at the workshop for a moment. I was very briefly back there in the summer, looking at the beautiful rose that rambles across the gable end. I love weather whatever it is these days, as long as I'm dry and warm, but it was wonderful to get the realization into my head that Spring and Summer are to come.
So a bit of sunshine and gradually refreshing the shelves has warmed and lifted my spirit and with that comes the inspiration and energy that has felt lacking lately.
I've started making batches in mulitples of six again - it fulfills me and lends itself well to the variety of slip combinations and techniques that I employ - I can afford to lose a couple, so can take more chances with decoration, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. (There are actually six of these three pound jars although only five in the picture.)
There was an extraordinary double rainbow today. I guess I could have moved so that the end was on the workshop, but I have no yearning for gold..........well maybe a little - rats, I blew that.
Right, off to see the Buzzcocks - Rock & Roll!!
Monday
Happy birthday Amy G!!
I made a load of jars today, then forgot to photograph them. Also decorated some of last week's jugs - this one is with leaf resist, the leaves are still on at this stage and will be peeled off once the slip has dried out some.
Off to see the Buzzcocks tomorrow night with Luke. I've seen them a couple of times before, once years ago when they supported the Pistols. Don't imagine they look much like this any more.
I made a load of jars today, then forgot to photograph them. Also decorated some of last week's jugs - this one is with leaf resist, the leaves are still on at this stage and will be peeled off once the slip has dried out some.
Off to see the Buzzcocks tomorrow night with Luke. I've seen them a couple of times before, once years ago when they supported the Pistols. Don't imagine they look much like this any more.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
Fired and finished
Remember these fine pitchers? They're made by Alex McErlain and decorated by textile artist Alice Kettle.
Here they are fresh from the kiln.
You can see them at earlier stages during their production by clicking here.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Late night working
Worked late tonight - pooped so just a quick post.
Put the handles on yesterday's jugs.
Did some with scrolls.............................
........and stuck sprigs on others
Finished the last puzzle jug - woohoo!
Had a great visit from Blogger Andrew and Sally Anne who have been firing up at Nic's. They made a few pots that will go in the next firing which is scheduled for 30th Jan, good to see them.
Marky Mark came up this evening so we worked on late.
Many thanks to all of you who signed the petition about Harrow and to those who tried but aren't British citizens so couldn't. As Christine said in response to my last post, 'I despair of this aesthetically blind market driven world we seem to be inhabiting'.
Bath and bed.
Happy days.
Put the handles on yesterday's jugs.
Did some with scrolls.............................
........and stuck sprigs on others
Finished the last puzzle jug - woohoo!
Had a great visit from Blogger Andrew and Sally Anne who have been firing up at Nic's. They made a few pots that will go in the next firing which is scheduled for 30th Jan, good to see them.
Marky Mark came up this evening so we worked on late.
Many thanks to all of you who signed the petition about Harrow and to those who tried but aren't British citizens so couldn't. As Christine said in response to my last post, 'I despair of this aesthetically blind market driven world we seem to be inhabiting'.
Bath and bed.
Happy days.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
SAVE HARROW CERAMICS -'the trouble with clay is you can't store it on a memory stick'
I received the following information today from Alex regarding a petition to halt the proposed outrageous closure of the Harrow Ceramics Degree course.
The quote in the title is reportedly a comment passed by a senior manager in justification of the closure.
Please would you help oppose the closure by following the link at the foot of this page and signing the petition.
'It should be of great concern to all of us who love ceramics and pottery. We have seen over the last few years pottery as a subject fast disappearing from our school time tables.
The understanding of pottery and ceramics is in my opinion a vital part of understanding the world, our culture and our past.' Alex McErlain
The University of Westminster are proposing to close their highly acclaimed Harrow Ceramics Degree Course.
Recruitment of new students has been suspended and there are plans to close the course by 2013, which will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of ceramics teaching at Harrow.
The decision has been made despite the courses’ long held outstanding national and international reputation; first class academic standing and a distinguished assembly of professional expertise including
Edmund de Waal,
Emmanuel Cooper,
Kyra Cane,
Professor Christie Brown,
Professor Nigel Wood,
Steve Buck,
Clare Twomey
and a roster of world famous ceramicists as both alumni and staff.
Its closure has huge significance for British art, craft and design. We call on the University to reverse this decision, reinstate the recruitment of new students and SAVE HARROW CERAMICS.
Please click on the link and sign the petition today.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/CeramicsHarrow/
Thank you
The quote in the title is reportedly a comment passed by a senior manager in justification of the closure.
Please would you help oppose the closure by following the link at the foot of this page and signing the petition.
'It should be of great concern to all of us who love ceramics and pottery. We have seen over the last few years pottery as a subject fast disappearing from our school time tables.
The understanding of pottery and ceramics is in my opinion a vital part of understanding the world, our culture and our past.' Alex McErlain
The University of Westminster are proposing to close their highly acclaimed Harrow Ceramics Degree Course.
Recruitment of new students has been suspended and there are plans to close the course by 2013, which will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of ceramics teaching at Harrow.
The decision has been made despite the courses’ long held outstanding national and international reputation; first class academic standing and a distinguished assembly of professional expertise including
Edmund de Waal,
Emmanuel Cooper,
Kyra Cane,
Professor Christie Brown,
Professor Nigel Wood,
Steve Buck,
Clare Twomey
and a roster of world famous ceramicists as both alumni and staff.
Its closure has huge significance for British art, craft and design. We call on the University to reverse this decision, reinstate the recruitment of new students and SAVE HARROW CERAMICS.
Please click on the link and sign the petition today.
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/CeramicsHarrow/
Thank you
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
You can call me a soft Southerner if you like, but last night it was so cold that the frost even managed to get into the workshop.
Everywhere the puddles are frozen solid. The duckpond at Hollyford has a thick sheet several inches thick, with confused ducks sliding across its surface.
In spite of the insulation in the workshop walls, floor and ceiling and the fact that the fire had been alight all day, it got so cold during the night that the pots I made yesterday froze and cracked. I've certainly never, ever had frost in the workshop in the last five years and I don't want it again! Today poor Jess had to have a plastic milk carton full as a hot water on her feet while she was on the wheel, as her five pairs of socks weren't doing the job.
In some parts of Devon, the temperature dropped as far as -12. Nic must have been feeling it up on the Moor.
I guess where Hannah is up in Scotland it's not that unusual, but it's something that doesn't happen very often in the relatively mild South West of England - thankfully!
Everywhere the puddles are frozen solid. The duckpond at Hollyford has a thick sheet several inches thick, with confused ducks sliding across its surface.
In spite of the insulation in the workshop walls, floor and ceiling and the fact that the fire had been alight all day, it got so cold during the night that the pots I made yesterday froze and cracked. I've certainly never, ever had frost in the workshop in the last five years and I don't want it again! Today poor Jess had to have a plastic milk carton full as a hot water on her feet while she was on the wheel, as her five pairs of socks weren't doing the job.
In some parts of Devon, the temperature dropped as far as -12. Nic must have been feeling it up on the Moor.
I guess where Hannah is up in Scotland it's not that unusual, but it's something that doesn't happen very often in the relatively mild South West of England - thankfully!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Tuesday
The first pot of 2009! I feel much better for getting some new pots made.
It took me hours to stick all this stuff on the puzzle jug today, there's still one under polythene to do tomorrow. They take so long, I wonder whether it's going to make them prohibitively expensive.
I got the top coat of green slip on this big tapered jug and combed through to the black beneath.
And this one top-coated too with white. The black slip beneath will break through on the high points of the decoration.
Jessica with me tomorrow and lots more pots to make, bye for now.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Monday!
It's been a cold but beautiful day at Hollyford today. I've missed the view, things are changing in the countryside. Marky Mark was feeling the cold after his month in the sunshine - ha ha, no sympathy! It was so good to see him.
We got the roof on the little shed and sorted it out so that tonight there's Hollyford clay slip drying out in a makeshift rack. There's still a lot to do, but at least the clay prep now has a designated space.
There was quite a bit of work in progress left covered in polythene over the festive period, so I had slipping to do today too.
This is a black slip, I'll pour a green slip over it tomorrow. Looks like the slip needs to be sieved, there are a few extra little lumps on there that shouldn't be, oh well, you don't get much for free these days.
This jug had a coat of black slip last year, then a covering of white slip today, with a floral design drawn through to reveal the layer beneath.
There were two puzzle jugs under wraps too. My head was a bit all over the place just before Christmas, I really should have finished these then, but I was so burned out and in need of a break after last year's busy schedule, that I just wrapped them up in poly bags and left them. I assembled them today and they'll get their holes and deco tomorrow.
Now I need to make a lot of pots very quickly - two weeks to make a kiln load of pots, so busy busy with some urgency. I feel more inspired than I did last week, hopefully the sight on new wet pots on the shelves tomorrow will get me excited and thus, motivated - it has to!
And speaking of shelves, this picture is for my buddy Paul Jessop. He's been asking how different potters go about sorting out their shelving. Mine is very simple, just shelves with short boards of about 3'6" in length that I slide on to my racks. There's little point in me having longer boards, my workshop isn't wide enough to safely manoeuvre anything with more length - plus it saves me straining my poor old back. As the shelves are solid, the boards are just half inch chipboard and that works fine. I also use a lot of little square boards or bats onto which I put individual pots.
Well, it's good to be back, new pots tomorrow I hope - jugs probably, why not just for a change? - wooohoo, catch you later!
We got the roof on the little shed and sorted it out so that tonight there's Hollyford clay slip drying out in a makeshift rack. There's still a lot to do, but at least the clay prep now has a designated space.
There was quite a bit of work in progress left covered in polythene over the festive period, so I had slipping to do today too.
This is a black slip, I'll pour a green slip over it tomorrow. Looks like the slip needs to be sieved, there are a few extra little lumps on there that shouldn't be, oh well, you don't get much for free these days.
This jug had a coat of black slip last year, then a covering of white slip today, with a floral design drawn through to reveal the layer beneath.
There were two puzzle jugs under wraps too. My head was a bit all over the place just before Christmas, I really should have finished these then, but I was so burned out and in need of a break after last year's busy schedule, that I just wrapped them up in poly bags and left them. I assembled them today and they'll get their holes and deco tomorrow.
Now I need to make a lot of pots very quickly - two weeks to make a kiln load of pots, so busy busy with some urgency. I feel more inspired than I did last week, hopefully the sight on new wet pots on the shelves tomorrow will get me excited and thus, motivated - it has to!
And speaking of shelves, this picture is for my buddy Paul Jessop. He's been asking how different potters go about sorting out their shelving. Mine is very simple, just shelves with short boards of about 3'6" in length that I slide on to my racks. There's little point in me having longer boards, my workshop isn't wide enough to safely manoeuvre anything with more length - plus it saves me straining my poor old back. As the shelves are solid, the boards are just half inch chipboard and that works fine. I also use a lot of little square boards or bats onto which I put individual pots.
Well, it's good to be back, new pots tomorrow I hope - jugs probably, why not just for a change? - wooohoo, catch you later!
Back to work
Back to work today after a lengthy, relaxing break. Time to get my head back into potting mode - that may take a while, I don't know yet. Marky Mark's back from Mexico and is going to pick me up shortly as he's got a day off work, so we'll crack on together and maybe even get that roof on the clay shed. I haven't seen MM in weeks, so it'll be great to catch up and hear of his adventures.
Last night I came across this wonderful blog. It's about wood rather than pottery.
Here's Mr Robin Wood doing his thing, making beautiful bowls and talking with passion about the history of his craft and his great hero, George Lailey, 'the Last Bowlturner', who died fifty years ago. I know you'll enjoy it.
Have a good Monday, catch you later.
Last night I came across this wonderful blog. It's about wood rather than pottery.
Here's Mr Robin Wood doing his thing, making beautiful bowls and talking with passion about the history of his craft and his great hero, George Lailey, 'the Last Bowlturner', who died fifty years ago. I know you'll enjoy it.
Have a good Monday, catch you later.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
First of all, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
This is a brief post as there's a lot going on here at the moment. I'll be back to work on Monday and back to blogging too.
I hope you all had a good Christmas, mine has been really enjoyable, a much needed rest and some quality family time.
Thanks to folks who have left comments here or sent me emails, I've lots to catch up on and I'll be in touch very soon once the Christmas festivities have passed, my apologies, thank you for your patience.
In the meantime, here's a picture from Christmas Day of a lovely little something 'Secret Santa' Hannah sent - it held my sprouts a treat.
All the best to everyone out there, and here's wishing you all a successful and prosperous 2009.
Back soon.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Happy Christmas everybody
Well it's nearly here, I hope you're all being good.
I went to the workshop briefly today, where there were parcels waiting for me, how exciting! A package from the States from Becky, that contained two of her lovely little birds. Thank you so much Beck, how special.
and one from Hannah, inside, this beautiful snowflake, now hanging on my tree. Thank you H.
There was a little pot from my apprentice Jess and another parcel, yet to be opened, but containing something ceramic, from and made by my friend Matt's mother. I'm a lucky man, thank you all.
Thank you too to everybody who have sent me cards.
As I write this, the boys are wrapping their Mum's presents. They're full of excitement which is lovely to see as they're getting to be big lads now. Joe's quite a chef, so we're going to make some spicy pumpkin soup in a minute, for tomorrow's starter.
We'll be having a quiet day, maybe meet a few friends for a drink before lunch in the pub and maybe a walk through the lanes in the afternoon to burn off some of the Christmas pud.
Kipper and Spratt have been getting into the spirit of things and are hoping for a little something containing catnip or perhaps a sardine - I think they may just be lucky.
A big thank you to everybody who has helped me get through this year, folks who have bought my pots and those who have supported me through this blog. It's been wonderful meeting so many people all over the world through this virtual network, learning about your work and getting a window on your lives.
I'll sign out by wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, I hope Santa's kind to you and brings you everything you could desire.
Peace and love
Happy Christmas!!!
I went to the workshop briefly today, where there were parcels waiting for me, how exciting! A package from the States from Becky, that contained two of her lovely little birds. Thank you so much Beck, how special.
and one from Hannah, inside, this beautiful snowflake, now hanging on my tree. Thank you H.
There was a little pot from my apprentice Jess and another parcel, yet to be opened, but containing something ceramic, from and made by my friend Matt's mother. I'm a lucky man, thank you all.
Thank you too to everybody who have sent me cards.
As I write this, the boys are wrapping their Mum's presents. They're full of excitement which is lovely to see as they're getting to be big lads now. Joe's quite a chef, so we're going to make some spicy pumpkin soup in a minute, for tomorrow's starter.
We'll be having a quiet day, maybe meet a few friends for a drink before lunch in the pub and maybe a walk through the lanes in the afternoon to burn off some of the Christmas pud.
Kipper and Spratt have been getting into the spirit of things and are hoping for a little something containing catnip or perhaps a sardine - I think they may just be lucky.
A big thank you to everybody who has helped me get through this year, folks who have bought my pots and those who have supported me through this blog. It's been wonderful meeting so many people all over the world through this virtual network, learning about your work and getting a window on your lives.
I'll sign out by wishing you all a wonderful Christmas, I hope Santa's kind to you and brings you everything you could desire.
Peace and love
Happy Christmas!!!
Friday, 19 December 2008
Friday
Been trying to get back into it today. This puzzle jug took ages. I enjoy making them, but with so much stuff stuck on the outside I start to go a bit mad. Two more under wraps that'll need finishing next week. I wish I'd got everything finished so that I could stop, but I'll need to go in for at least one day next week.
Hil and the boys finished school today. Luke performed with his band for his year group. Joe had to watch Mamma Mia, which it transpires is not what a thirteen year old boy wants to be doing with his time.
One good thing about living with a teacher is that every Christmas there are lots of goodies around. Hil brought a big box home full of chocolates and bottles of wine. Lots of smelly things too for the bath tub.
In a week's time it'll be all over - we haven't even got a tree up yet. Tomorrow we're going to go and face the crowds in Exeter to do some crazy Christmas shopping, then we'll try and get this place looking a bit more festive.
My little boys are suddenly young men, Father Christmas' true identity has long been exposed and they don't long for toys any more like they used to. They do still get excited though and I'm sure they'll still be hanging their stockings up, full of expectation bless 'em.
Happy weekend all
Hil and the boys finished school today. Luke performed with his band for his year group. Joe had to watch Mamma Mia, which it transpires is not what a thirteen year old boy wants to be doing with his time.
One good thing about living with a teacher is that every Christmas there are lots of goodies around. Hil brought a big box home full of chocolates and bottles of wine. Lots of smelly things too for the bath tub.
In a week's time it'll be all over - we haven't even got a tree up yet. Tomorrow we're going to go and face the crowds in Exeter to do some crazy Christmas shopping, then we'll try and get this place looking a bit more festive.
My little boys are suddenly young men, Father Christmas' true identity has long been exposed and they don't long for toys any more like they used to. They do still get excited though and I'm sure they'll still be hanging their stockings up, full of expectation bless 'em.
Happy weekend all
Thursday
Hello all and welcome to anybody who has come to visit my blog via Gary Rith's Pottery blog in New York.
If you're not familiar with Gary's blog, I recommend you check it out - it'll put a smile on your face, it does that for me daily - he's a man who knows how to have fun.
I've been feeling pretty poorly this week, hence my absence - a really nasty migraine's really taken it out of me. I still feel rough now, although I did get to the workshop for a few hours this afternoon. The firing I had planned for mid Jan is looking unlikely, so I'll postpone it for a couple of weeks I think - I'd rather do that than rush things.
Here are a couple of pots I'm working on at the moment............
and a picture of my friend Different Dave. We're going to do some work together next year, he's a painter and has been collecting the various coloured clays to use as pigments - tasty.
If you're not familiar with Gary's blog, I recommend you check it out - it'll put a smile on your face, it does that for me daily - he's a man who knows how to have fun.
I've been feeling pretty poorly this week, hence my absence - a really nasty migraine's really taken it out of me. I still feel rough now, although I did get to the workshop for a few hours this afternoon. The firing I had planned for mid Jan is looking unlikely, so I'll postpone it for a couple of weeks I think - I'd rather do that than rush things.
Here are a couple of pots I'm working on at the moment............
and a picture of my friend Different Dave. We're going to do some work together next year, he's a painter and has been collecting the various coloured clays to use as pigments - tasty.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
A weekend in Cornwall
Just got home after a lovely weekend visiting my old school mate 'Frank' - he's not really called Frank, that's his nick name from school days, I have no idea why. He's actually called Andrew Grundon and he's a very talented signwriter. He paints the signs for St Austell Brewery. This is him in Saturday's Western Morning News.
And here is their slide show of his remarkable work
He lives right in the heart of some beautiful Cornish countryside - china clay country. This is what you'll find just below the surface of the soil not far from his house.
These big chimneys are part of some huge drying sheds, now derelict, that were used for drying out the china clay after it was mined from the hillside.
His house is one of a remote terrace of old clay workers' cottages, at a place called Claylands, a few hundred yards from Michael Cardew's Wenford Bridge Pottery. The pottery is now no longer operating and has become a private residence, however I know the guy who owns it so got in there this weekend.
I went there once nine years ago and Seth Cardew gave my boys a lump of clay to play with. Ever since, Joe has questioned whether his milk jug ever got fired.
Would you believe it, there it was, along with a load of bisc fired pots from the last ever firing, sitting on the shelf.
Fancy that, he's thirteen now, he was four when he made it. He was really chuffed to get his pot after all these years.
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