After Christmas I wandered into my studio and noticed that I still had the remains of experiments with blue, red and white earthenware clay. I decided to just enjoy throwing with no need to embellish the surface of the few pots I made. Only now, after trimming to reveal the striations, bisque-firing and then glazing with the new, all-forgiving clear glaze can I see what I did. With only a hint of blue remaining in this mix, the strata remind me of holidays in Arizona and New Mexico.
The wide-mouthed vase is a very simple shape so that flowers will have your attention. There’s a bit more blue visible in the bowl. The little tumbler turns out to be super comfortable to use, and the yunomi feels good. My art school self used to argue that we, non-Asians, shouldn’t be making tea-bowls, but so many potters make them now and they’re such a pleasing shape to throw off the hump and trim to exactly the right weight, I’ve compromised my earlier principles!
Early last year I threw and decorated several yunomis and the staff at the Gallery of BC Ceramics encouraged me to make more. So again, in the holiday time, I did. These four have been waiting to be painted and fired for a while. I had fun applying my coloured slips and then finishing the bottoms with terra sigillata. I SHALL miss the enthusiasm of the staff when the Gallery closes at the end of February.
These four jugbirds are just the beginning of a whole flock I must make very soon. My other Granville Island gallery, Circle Craft Co-op, have phoned me twice to suggest I get my butt in gear and bring in more.
I took time in January to throw with stoneware clay, so I have some pieces sprayed and bisqued ready for TriCity Potters’ planned soda firing at Shadbolt Centre in early April. I’ve made a couple of bigger jugbirds but I hope to get more made to fill my share of space in the big gas-fired kiln.
An email today from Laura Carey, president of the BC Potters Guild, announces that, as a result of the well-attended Emergency meeting last Tuesday re the Gallery’s closing , the Guild will now retain the gallery space. The plan is offer a whole new programme of activities to keep the Guild operational. There will no longer be paid staff and the space will be reconfigured during March for possible pop-up ceramic and other shows and a working studio/workshop space. To avoid bankruptcy of the Guild the Gallery’s bills must be paid so there is to be a big Final Farewell Party/Gala/Fundraiser next Saturday February 24th 6-10pm, at the Gallery. I’ll post the proper invitation here soon and will share it on Facebook.
The Guild’s space will re-open at the beginning of April, so BC Potters’ Guild will continue to be part of Granville Island’s vibrant Arts scene and offer opportunities for Guild members and the Ceramics community.
