Money and Power

I spent some time today refining my new workspace in the new studio. I learned to throw on a Randall wheel and I'm pleased to be getting back to one. Most of my pots have been made on an old Brent CXC. I don't have electric power out here so I run the wheel off a generator. Now I can use leg power at least some of the time.

I also bought a slick new generator today...a very quiet Honda. I run the studio lights from a small solar panel system and one day I hope to run the whole studio from solar power. I wish I could eliminate my electric wheel, but I find treadle wheels maddening and my legs aren't up to kicking full time. Having the generator makes me mindful of being productive with the energy it produces, so I guess it is more efficient than being 'on the grid'.

I got my application ready for the Virginia Commission for the Arts individual artist grant...at the last minute, of course. Virginia is one of the worst states in the country for arts' support and it is very discouraging to know that even in states that do a great job, like North Carolina, money for the arts is disappearing...once again.

Planters and Platters

A busy weekend kept me from the studio and when I returned today I'd lost interest in this coil-built planter. I was going to give it a big beefy rim, but this arched rim is just as satisfying to me and a lot quicker. It'll be cool with the right plants. I know lots of great gardeners and I like making pots for them. For a time I made quite a few handbuilt bonsai pots.

I finished trimming all the flatware I made last week and started slipping and glazing. These are all meant for the salt chamber. This is where I'm going back to Winchcombe ideas for decoration and it's a lot of fun. I'm making some for the wood chamber next.

A Little History

No new photos today, so here's a little piece of my formative years.....

I arrived in England and 'The Guildhouse' (above) in January, 1978, to teach pottery to 'seniors', local villagers and handicapped children. This amazing building was built by the sheer willpower of one woman named Mary Osbourne. To conform with local building codes, it was built from the stone of seven old local barns.

Just 7 miles away was The Winchcombe Pottery, and I soon became a regular visitor until Ray Finch gave me a job. Winchcombe has been the site of a pottery for at least 200 years. Michael Cardew revived it after he left Bernard Leach's pottery in St. Ives in the 1920's. Ray became an early student and eventually bought the pottery. He has led a team of potters making wood-fired domestic ware for more than 60 years! No surprise that this was the experience that really set me on my way as a potter. I learned a life time of lessons...about pottery...and life.

Poker

Making pots has been an obsession for me for more than 30 years and I have been pretty single-minded in that endeavor. But, now I have a proper hobby, playing poker! Every two weeks on a Thursday night we play a 'cash' game for about 4 hours. Funny and quick-witted, irreverent and loud with some serious card playing in makes for a great time. Last night was a rare tournament and I once again I proved that I need more science in my game and less gut reaction.
Notice my green visor...it didn't bring the luck I'd hoped for.

Today's Quiz

Here are some bowls from my kitchen...4 from England and one from my own hands.

Today is bound to be a good one...pottery all day, poker tournament tonight!

Platters

After ferocious thunderstorms last night we woke to a glorious, humidity-free day. I couldn't resist sitting at the wheel outside. But I also wasn't ready to give up my big coil pots, so I did a bit of both. The platters will be fun to slip and comb. I've been revisiting a lot of old Winchcombe ideas for decorating.

I finally remembered to get some thistle feed for my goldfinch feeder and in less than 10 minutes they were back. I'm going to try and take some photos tomorrow. This is the first time I've ever had a studio without cats and I'm really enjoying the birdlife.

Tornado Warning Tonight

I finished the second of my handbuilt pots today. This one is about 20" wide. I'll slip and glaze them later this week. I've been promising myself that I'd start throwing this week, but now I'm not sure. This has been fun. I might not decide until I get out to the studio tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Albert Einstein

I finished listening to a fantastic book on tape today (Einstein by Walter Isaacson) while finishing up this giant coil-built teapot. He was an extraordinary fellow. And very quotable. Here's a few...

"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
"Foolish faith in authority is the worst enemy of truth"
"I can't tell you what will happen in the 3rd World War, but I can tell you what weapon we'll use in the 4th......rocks!" (after the U.S dropped the bomb on Japan)

I had second thoughts about making this sweet fat form into a novelty item, but sometimes I need to follow an idea right through to the end. Other times a little spontaneity is called for.This time I planned on making a teapot...and I did.

Blackberries!

Few people enjoy picking blackberries as much as dear, sweet Ellie Bird!
I helped Emily and Ellie do some picking today in the blazing sun and scored 2 quarts!! One is being turned into ice cream as we speak!

Phil English

There is a nice article in the Free Lance Star today about my friend Phil. He is a brilliant artist and does things on his lathe that are hard to believe. I admire folks like him who set such high standards for themselves and their work. Plus he is a fine human being!