Any time you fire with flame rather than predictable electricity you are going to have surprises. Whether your work is in a reduction-firing in a gas kiln, in a wood kiln or a salt or soda firing you can never be sure how things will work out. There are sometimes serendipitous happenings and other times when the surfaces are flat, rough, crunchy or the wrong…
After Christmas I wandered into my studio and noticed that I still had the remains of experiments with blue, red and white earthenware clay. I decided to just enjoy throwing with no need to embellish the surface of the few pots I made. Only now, after trimming to reveal the striations, bisque-firing and then glazing with the new, all-forgiving clear glaze can I see what…
This year marks fifty years since I immigrated to Canada from England. Over the years I've made many trips back, usually with Alan, but sometimes on my own. I always make a point of revisiting favourite potters and galleries near where family members live. After Al had had his eight-day trip to Osaka recently we agreed that I should take a holiday in England…
Once again I have packed jugbirds into a smaller-than-carry-on-size box ready to take to the airport with me tomorrow. I think the allowable size is now smaller so some will have to go in my hand-bag too. Good thing I only want a book and passport besides them. While I am travelling to Cambridge, Berlin briefly, London and Salisbury…
It's time to post the results of my part of the recent soda firing at Shadbolt Centre. Just today Al took photos of the latest earthenware, electric-fired jugbirds so those will appear very soon, but I like to keep my notes chronological. Since I got to see the new salty-like pots we have…