On my way in to Vancouver on Tuesday, for that meeting at the Ceramics Gallery and to collect my remaining stock, I stopped in at the Western Front. The latest plates had emerged from the kiln that morning and Al quickly took photos of them.
There was a bit of a rush for one particular platter that Eric Metcalfe had painted. He explained to me that he had made a point of leaving an equal area of the white background colour to balance the other three colours. It was to be donated to a supporter of the Western Front this coming Saturday, during their Gala Fundraising evening so I’m glad I was able to get it fired in time, and even delivered! In return I was given a preview of the Silent Auction items being installed in the downstairs gallery. The Raiders aren’t donating a group of plates this year but Eric had given a pair of his delicate jazz-themed gouache paintings. They are delightful!
I also brought along one other small plate he’d painted with the same colours as his platter, and a bisqued plate for him to experiment with making a drawing with a ceramic pencil. Unlike lead pencils the marks from a Chemclay pencil don’t burn out on the next firing, but you have to draw on bisque. It just sinks in to a bone dry plate.
Other pieces in that kiln are still here so artists will pick them up on their next Raid.
Renée’s splendid platter is painted in her usual meticulous style, from a prepared collage. Also in that kiln were two of her new sculptures. The large one, painted with black slip and red underglaze, has been left unglazed. The smaller one has been dipped in clear glaze. So she will be considering these results as she works on some more.
Marlene’s large platter reminds us of the joy of tea time.
And Pierre will be pleased with his large round plate and the smaller black and white experiment, both recognizably Coupey I’m told.
My next blog will show photos of the new Rooster and other jugbirds. Below is a happy emailed photo of my birds guarding the kitchen in Bella Coola! Glad you enjoy them Carlsons.
