It’s almost two weeks since the exciting day when I returned to Shadbolt Centre to collect my sixteen pots from the latest soda firing. By the time I arrived almost all of the pots had been claimed and my pieces were arranged on a separate table for me. Safety precautions are important so we were given specific time slots to be there. I wore a mask of course and then goggles and work gloves as well so that I was protected while I scraped glass chunks off kiln shelves.

The workshop participants couldn’t be there for the opening so I asked Linda Doherty to take some photos, as she has done previously. Here are her pics of the front and back shelves before anything was removed, and a couple of close-ups. Thanks Linda.

I shall include photos of my some of my own work but Jonathon has asked me not to reveal the ones that have now flown off to London, Ontario until he can share the first glimpse in the gallery!  I imagine he’ll be including my box of nine soda-fired pieces in one of his unveiling videos very soon. Go to ‘canadianceramics’ on Instagram on a Tuesday or Thursday morning at 9am PST for a jolly half hour.

A local Port Moody friend had admired one of my lidded jars with grooves that I’d shown just as the carving was finished. It turned out well, with good orange peel and lots of blue so Laura is now its proud owner. I imagined it would be a good cookie jar but she sent a photo of its new home and it will live alongside her much-loved house plants. I’m glad you like it, Laura, and thank you.

Another piece that worked out really well is this jugbird with a bold black beak.  I may have to hold on to it for a while. Other pieces are here.

I was asked to keep the latest platter painted by Eric Metcalfe under wraps until it was presented to long-time Western Front supporter Sylvain Sailly.  Usually I make a large platter and let Eric use my underglazes for his painting, then I fire it twice. This year there was no Gala Fundraising evening, of course, but the platter was presented anyway. I was interested to notice that Eric chose similar colours for this fine platter to those in the gouache painting he gave us in 2019.

For the last couple of weeks I have been working in earthenware, making lots more plates and some jugbirds, plus a couple of special orders. I’ll be finishing painting them this week and hope to get them bisqued and glaze-fired soon.