After all the hype about posting a "Week(s) in Review" I realized I actually have been pretty pathetic at shooting my studio progress over the last couple weeks. So, while I have been throwing, trimming, and decorating a plethora of bowls and plates, I've either posted them, or failed to get the camera out.
Also, blogger has a new feature which allows one to display a blurb (see above) of a post, while hiding the majority of the body behind a link or, as they say on the interwebs, a "jump break." So, follow the "jump" to read more from this post.
I spent several hours in the studio last Saturday glazing. And it was not fun. At all. Not even a little. But it had to be done. You know what else had to be done? Cleaning. Especially after I spilt a (large) bowl's worth of Creamy Rust glaze all over myself, the floor, and the glazing table. No good at all.
Here's what I had to tackle on Saturday:
And from a different angle (more imposing!):
And those don't even show the box of cups that needed to be glazed. Stupid glazing.
In any event, I made it through the majority of the glazing without too many problems, and got all but 4 or 5 of my pots glazed. I stopped back in on Monday (Labor Day!) to finish glazing the stragglers and am now free from any bisqued pots requiring glazing. At least until the next firing comes out. Here's my glazed pots:
Yes, there's a few of them there. Two full shelves, plus odds and ends hanging around the top two shelves on the cart. All I have to say is that they better turn out, or I'll be irked. Irate. I may even get a little crazy and swear I'm never making any more pots ever again!
Spent a few more hours throwing on Tuesday night - a slough of mid-sized bowls. I'm thinking they won't get the sgraffito treatment - it's time to add a little color variety to my wares. As much as I DESPISE GLAZING, it is time to make some pots that can just be glazed without much fuss. Because, I think I am most frustrated with glazing because of glazing's inability to cooperate with my decorative techniques. Or something. In summary, I threw some bowls, and I probably will not spend much time (if any) decorating them in my traditional manner. They may yet get some carving or some sort, but we'll just have to wait and see.
I also spent some time working on a special-order project which will be pushing my limits a bit - someone looking for a dining room centerpiece - something low/flat and large, around 18 inches. Which will be the larges platter/charger/low bowl I've done yet. Didn't quite hit the 18" mark (too impatient - had some flares collapse on me - came out with one nice 15-16" platter after I trimmed it down). So more of those to come. It's nice to have a reason to expand and practice and stretch and push myself and build character, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera...
And throwing large pots is significantly easier than walking ten miles to school, barefoot, uphill both ways, through five feet of snow.
I hope to find a more regular rhythm/schedule for being in the studio soon, and that will mean better updates. Even though our family is now student-free (i.e. neither Krystal nor myself went back to school this fall), this season seems to bring on more structured schedules and activities, so that'll help. Now, if I can just remember to get the camera out of the bag once I get there...
That's all for now, and just for fun, a snapshot of something else that Krystal and I did together this summer. Behold, the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor:
Carrots, zucchini, green beans, anaheim peppers, a tomato, and a (small handful of strawberries) represent our first garden together. We were also able to enjoy fresh spinach throughout most of June and July, as well as plenty of cilantro, until we went on vacation and it decided to bolt. We have some healthy looking bell peppers (red & green) that should be big enough to pick shortly, and plenty more ripe tomatoes look to be on their way. Though we didn't use more than three or four leaves from it, the basil was also a good choice. Who wouldn't want to be overpowered by fresh basil aroma while picking green beans?
And Krystal would want me to note that the sunflowers were beautiful. Maybe I'll share some pictures of them next time.
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