A reader of my blogs had wondered if the ‘Raids’ are workshops. No, they aren’t.

I trained as a teacher oh-so-many years ago, in London, but actually only taught in elementary schools for four years and then some time substitute teaching, but I have supplemented my pottery income by teaching wheel-throwing for decades. Then, when I became enamoured of painting with brightly coloured slips on red earthenware people began to ask for workshops on that. I’ve lost count of how many tile-painting workshops I have given to pottery clubs, painters and school groups.

But no, artists painting on white clay plate forms has evolved from my long-standing association with the Western Front’s Eric Metcalfe. Too long a story for today, but I have made tea and dinner sets in red clay for him to paint with orange and black leopard spots. Then came ‘The Attic Project’ for which I made a large collection of replica Greek vessels on which his painting evolved into more graphic shape-defying designs. I was asked to make a platter for him to paint as a Western Front gift to a patron and the plate-making has continued for twenty years since! Eric invites artist friends to join him to ‘raid’ the McMillans home and studio for a day.

To encourage Vancouver artists to venture out to the ‘burbs and to become comfortable with the un-flat surfaces and characteristics of clay I am happy to provide a venue and make up platters and plates for them. Alan and I get to enjoy their conversation and potluck food and yes, the artists pay me modest dollars for the clay, underglazes and my time firing and glazing their work. But the important rule I have for myself is not to provide any input into their creations. I explain the process and tell them what they need to do but I am not a critic. Often their work is experimental but I like to see where it goes, and mostly I am very excited by the results of their day’s efforts. As someone who’s lived with pottery and its conventions and history I find the different viewpoint of non-potters to be very refreshing. And it surely can’t hurt that my Raiders will have discovered just how much time, effort and patience goes into the making of things ceramic!

Thanks for the question, Liz.

Amongst my explanation of Raids I am posting photos of work from two recent Raids which were in my latest glaze firing. You’ll see plates by Eric, Mina Totina, Philippe Raphanel, Marlene Madison and Elizabeth Zvonar.