Mission potter Rob Bush gave the TriCity Potters a very interesting talk and demonstration on his new-found ‘hobby’ of crystalline glazing. For many years he has been a production potter, throwing every kind of useful pot, decorating them with skilfull brushwork and firing them in reduction to cone 10 in a gas kiln. He also taught wheelthrowing at Place des Arts for several years. Now he has given himself permission to pursue this totally different way of finishing his work. He was happy to share what he’s found out, show his results and discuss with a couple of members some related ideas. He, Dan and Jacq considered a blow-torch versus a hammer and chisel to remove the ring and dish which catch the excess runny glaze. Members were fascinated with the different colours of glaze and the patterns made by those elusive crystals.

Rob demonstrated how he throws the catchers for glaze that are used under all crystal-glazed pieces and then threw more just because that’s what he likes to do. It was a nice informal sharing of information of his life as a potter, conversation rather than a slide show.

June and he worked alongside each other at Place des Arts, sharing teaching, discussion of glazes and firing results for many years. Rob and I were inspired as fellow students of Fred Owen when we were taking classes at what was then Douglas College, Surrey, back in the seventies. We owe Fred our gratitude for his enthusiasm and high standards and I wish he were still around to discuss pots.

Myrta Hayes has posted an account of the same evening with Rob on TriCity Potters’ website.     http://www.tricitypotters.ca/hot2.html

As Rob was packing up his work I couldn’t resist buying a delicious cup and saucer. I have no crystalline-glazed pots at all and probably won’t go down that road myself but this cup is a comfortable shape and a joy to drink from. Thanks for sharing your obvious dedication to pottery and desire to keep on learning, Rob.