It takes me about a month to make enough pots to justify firing my kiln. When I had Raiders here I could be firing more often but, even with some exciting new work to see finished, I had to keep making. Finally I actually filled the bisque kiln.

This last weekend the kiln with all the work, glazed, finally cooled enough for me to see what I’d done. June was a dreadfully rainy month but it was perfect for spending hours in the studio. Concentrating on trying out some more ‘dazzle’ designs on plates and then relaxing with a fun special order of tiny snack plates really helped me to avoid constant anxiety about how our lives have and will change because of the pandemic.

I’d like to show you my most interesting result of the jagged/dazzle ideas. I decided to make a largish bowl with a smooth surface for painting, but not a pope’s hat plate this time. Forever fascinated with the effect of carving parallel lines on a curving surface I chose to give the plate’s underside an interesting texture and, when bone dry, coated it with terra sigillata. The theme of the bowl’s interior is an angular representation of our Coastal Rainforest and the red clay carved side felt like tree-bark. When I’d finished applying the green jagged forms and the underlying teal and sand-colour shapes I was delighted with the way black in the remaining areas just makes the others jump out. A friend suggested the title after I’d posted photos of a walk Al and I had taken along the Admiralty Point trail in Belcarra Park. It fits, so thanks for the suggestion.

Another experimental plate (oval, although it looks round in this photo) has some colours and shapes of one I had in my June firing. This time the green contrasts better with the background.. in fact I’m pleased! Shall I call it a ‘Rainforest plate’?

Two other plates were painted to accompany yunomis made earlier. It’s always good to see how a pattern or combination of colours on a small form will translate to a bigger, flatter shape. Here is a lunch plate with minimal colours and looser (for me) brushstrokes in black, white, grey and red. I’m pleased with the effect and may well pursue this idea.

The other plate imitates the busier design on a large yunomi and in this case, the ‘POW’ really jumps out so that’s it’s name now.

Although I gave myself a break from making jugbirds this month, there were four. I had a special request for a Eurasian Blue Tit so made two. I have made one or two before for English customers at Primavera Gallery in Cambridge. One of these is now all packed in double boxes to take flight for Co Dublin, Ireland tomorrow.

The other two jugbirds are ones I’ve made fairly often, a Seagull and a Red Cardinal. I’ve heard from Circle Craft Co-op on Granville Island. They re-opened in early June and report that sales are encouraging, even without all our usual US tourists. So, at a pre-selected time one day soon I shall take some new jolly earthenware jugbirds, including these two, in to the shop.

Sad news from Victoria though. Eclectic Gallery on Oak Bay Avenue has closed. The difficulties of no sales for months, along with distancing requirements for the future have led to this decision. We’re all afraid many more craft galleries will not survive. Victora friends have volunteered to pick up any stock remaining, thank you Denis and Kim. And thank you Eclectic Gallery for carrying my work for quite a while now. It was good to be represented on Vancouver Island.

Tomorrow I’d like to show those who read my blog but who may not check my facebook or Instagram postings the set of little snack plates that helped to fill my kiln and my heart in June. Watch this space!