(blah)

So, I've pretty much sucked at being a potter lately.  Not on account of a lack of skill, or failure in the studio, but for a general lack of studio, and failure of utilizing skill.  I'm hoping to get better at that on the sooner side of "sooner or later," but I've also been sucking at reaching similar little daily goals like that as well, so who really knows when things will pan out one way or the other.  I think I've got (maybe?) close to a full load yet of bisque that's just waiting to be glazed, and I'm recognizing that I owe orders to a few people here and there that haven't been fulfilled in the most timely of fashions.  For which I'm horribly sorry.  I still care about you and have your pots in mind.  But mostly I've been busy disciplining a fickle puppy, making dinners, washing dishes, trying to catch up on sleep, and listening to as much really loud music as possible.

In the meantime, here's a picture of some pots that was doodled something like a year or so ago.  Hopefully that will hold you until real pots, and if it doesn't, go back to my last post and leave a comment to let me know how beautiful my last firing turned out.  I'd greatly appreciate it.

doodle.

Super Dry Clay is What's Waiting For Me Tonight

I left some clay out in the studio for recycling purposes last Friday night, as I figured a quick trip in on Saturday wouldn't be out of line.

But then that quick didn't happen.  Or on Sunday.  So I wrote it off until my Monday night studio time.

Which didn't happen, because life did instead, and there's nothing you can really do about that.

So, what would have been, probably, 12 pounds of nice usable clay will be completely dried out and I'll have to start from scratch.  At least, starting from scratch is the best possible option.  Worst case scenario is that the clay isn't completely dried out, but only "black hard" in which case it won't soak any more moisture in, and it's still quite aways from being dry, and definitely too hard to use. 

And I must apologize to any guilders for my leaving clay out on the drying slab for 5 days.  It's horribly rude and selfish of me, and I'm quite sorry.

And since I've been a horrible potter, and a horrible blogger, I present you a drawing.  A doodle representing the notes of a meeting at work.  After going for some time on it, I discovered that it was beginning to resemble a pachyderm, and that amused me, so I ran with it.  Here goes, and hope you're having a great week!

Glazing, and a drawing for you.

This here's a drawing, on account of how I haven't done anything in the studio warranting (the time required in) any photography.  And by drawing, I really mean a doodle from one of my notepads at work.  But there it is - some visual addition to my Tuesday's Text.

I did get to spend some time in the studio this weekend, but I soon realized that the amount of bisqueware I have sitting around has gotten out of hand and the only reasonable way to deal with all the bisque is by doing some glazing, which is never my preferred task, but had to be done.  Lots of little, baby, white vases that needed glazing.  I'm experimenting with using some vibrant colors on these little vases.  I hope it turns out alright, but you never really know.

Back to the studio tonight - I have some bowls in desparate need of some trimming, and should really do some more throwing as well.  On the docket for this week is taking stock of my inventory, so I can figure out what needs to get thrown between now and the upcoming shows.

That's all for now - maybe a pottery update tomorrow.

UPDATE - so, apparently I only saved, rather than actually posting this after it was written (48 hours ago). I did get to the studio for a bit Tuesday night, and did get some pictures, but it was mostly trimming and decorating.  Little bits of throwing, including a nice vase that tipped over as I was prepping to wrap it up for the night.  So that didn't work out too well... That's it for studio this week - maybe I'll get the pictures up tomorrow in Friday wrap-up.

Psychedelic Pot

No, not that kind of psychedelic pot.

Here’s a drawing of a jar using Crayola crayons from Macaroni Grill that I found in my office. How do I know they came from Macaroni? Because instead of being blue, green, and violet, they were Bleu Cheese, Eggplant, and Florentine. Although, I think the blue is really more of a cerulean than a true blue, at least by Crayola’s standards.

Haven’t been in the studio since Tuesday – been spending too much time doing fun things like going to No Doubt concerts and playing in the garden. Hopefully will do some potting this weekend, when I’m not doing sweet things like whitewater rafting and cheering for the Rockies…

***UPDATE***

Rockies didn't happen for us - too much on our plate for the weekend. But rafting was an amazing adventure. I'll probably post a picture later. Definitely didn't say in the raft the whole time...

Thursday Night Update

It was a more successful night than before, though abbreviated. Some throwing, some trimming. Didn't have to throw anything out. That reads as a success in my book. Still no time to get any photos snapped.

I have been trying to put more focused energy into vase/jar forms. They're more challenging for me technically, and I seem to have a lot of trouble coaxing the shape I want from the clay, but it's getting better. Every bit of practice helps.

Having clay that's not ubersoft or full of air bubbles also helps...

I'll get the chance for a longer session in the studio this weekend. Throw some pots, snap some pictures. We'll have a throw-a-thon Saturday afternoon in preparation for the Guild's June fundraiser. We'll be throwing small plate and mug/tumbler sets. The evening should be a fun event - appetizers, wine tasting, and every guest gets to leave with their appetizer plate and tumbler, as well as a piece of artwork (or set) valued at $50+. So it should be a good time. Keep an eye on the Guild's site for more information, or sign up for their mailing list here.

Also, just to announce a couple of upcoming events I'll be at:

The first is the Northern Colorado Potters Guild's annual Potter's Market on Saturday, May 2nd. It's a much less formal affair than our fall sale is, but should be fun - outdoor pottery sale. We'll be up and running from 10am - 4pm on Saturday. Hopefully the weather is cooperative and doesn't go all blizzardy on us...

Second, I'll be appearing at the Ute Trail Greenhouse's first Artists at the Gardens, May 9th & 10th, in Lyons, CO. Click here for more information about this event.

That's all for now. Someday pictures. Until then, here's a drawing of a pot. It's almost the same thing.

I think blue clay would be sweet!

I'm back... mostly...

Well, I'm not sick anymore. Or, at least, not as sick.

I've been back in the studio a few times, but have failed to be very photographic about the work I'm doing - so, sorry about that. I'll try to be better.

Very basic work mostly. No massive pots or anything like that. I'm stocking up on some smaller to mid-range pieces for a couple of sales in May, mostly bowls, but a few smaller vases.

And on a dorky, but happy, note, I found my elephant ear sponge. It was brand new and in good condition and it disappeared after only a few weeks of service. Until I found it tonight in the bottom of my bucket of red clay slop! So, I'm very excited to have my sponge back. In celebration, here are some pictures of elephants, ears, and sponges, that have nothing to do with pottery. I'll even draw them myself.

Pretty elephant, possibly angry.

This fellow has a particularly small nose, mouth, and eyes compared to his chin, ear, and cranium. But then, all I promised was a picture of an ear. I can't be held responsible for the entire profile...

Before you critize, let me just ask: have you ever drawn a picture of a sea sponge? Yeah, I didn't think so.