Update

It's been ages since I updated this.. the last blog was just before I was off to take part in Potfest in the Pens last year! Well, it didn't go too well for me, It was my first time there and although I met some great exhibitors, I didn't sell much and came away a little deflated. However, it did make me re focus and think about exactly what it was that I wanted to achieve and so I'm re evaluating and making new plans for this year.

I went on a seminar last Thursday at the Whitworth called Making It which was designed especially for new and emerging crafts people. They had a series of guest speakers who talked about their different approaches to their work, how they began and tips about how to get started. One of the speakers was Halima Cassell who talked very honestly about how she got started with her now very successful career. She showed a picture of her taken in her one bedroom flat shortly after graduating with two of her trademark bowls next to her on the bed drying out waiting to be fired! She had no studio or kiln of her own for the first two or three years and had to rely on getting her pieces fired in other people's kilns. It was very reassuring to see that careers start slowly and it takes patience and a lot of determination to keep going and see it gradually pay off. So that was good to hear!

So I'll try and get a critical evaluation of my work from someone and hopefully it will re focus me and get me back on track.

The studio itself is doing ok so that's keeping my busy/ distracted but we have to think about its long term plans regarding its location, funding, getting involved with other groups and establishments like schools and care homes. All a lot to think about!

Some pictures of new work in progress

Large Rabbit Head ready to be fired

 Little Owl finished with volcanic glaze

Rabbit head ready to fire

Getting ready- just over a week to go!

I've almost finished everything to take to Pot Fest in the Pens. Only one large piece and some smaller decorations to fire and then it's all about packing and display.

Here are a few pictures of a mock up display using the great apple crates I bought recently. I spent all day painting the crates in a whitewash and think they look really good. They are very flexible and can be used for storing the work as well, brilliant!

I'm taking some Ghosts as they always seem to sell well and I've got a good range of prices from a few pounds to a few hundred so fingers crossed.

Countdown to Pot Fest!

Just a few weeks to go and I'm ploughing through all the work I'm making for the show...

Some Box Tiles, inlaid decorated tiles that can be free standing or wall mounted...

A large Box Tile Panel ready to be fired ..

 

Some of the 30 Tea Light holders all completed now...

 

My series of Whirlygigs which are small, 3D terracotta constructions that will be box framed so can be hung on the wall

 

 

 

 

The finished tower!

 

 

 

Potfest Update....

I've been working on a large, tower piece for the Potfest in the Pens group exhibition. This year's theme is light so I'm making a tall tower which will hopefully look impressive when it's lit up with a candle! Here are some photos of the piece in progress:

Paper template of the whole tower:

 

The template is used to "draw" the design using extruded coils of terracotta with some paper pulp added to it. They are then draped over formers so they firm up to form half cylinders.

 

 

They can then be stood upright and joined together with paper slip. Very tricky!

 

 

More pieces ar added to the top to help fix the next tower section on top after it has been fired.

 

 

The finished bottom tower section with added loops!

 

 

I've already finished making the other section of the tower drawings and the top, just need to put them together and somehow get them into the kiln....

 

Fingers crossed

The first bisque...

The first test piece came out fine after its bisque firing, no splits or cracks. I've put a thin layer of white glaze on and now will test it to stoneware...

 

 

 

New work update...

A couple of pictures of the first new piece ready for its bisque firing. Everything seems to be holding together so fingers crossed! Now I just need to decide how to colour it..

 

It has a feeling of roller coasters, architcture and textiles and by working with pre made component parts, it has gradually evolved rather than following to a detailed drawing which is how I have worked in the past. It's much more organic and enjoyable working like this and hopefully the next few pieces I have in mind will go as successfully.

New work for Potfest in the Pens 2014

Above images: wall mounted pieces under construction

 

 

 

Above images: large free standing piece under construction

I'm taking part in this year's Potfest in the Pens show for the first time. It's a well established ceramics only exhibition and selling show that's held in a cattle shed in the Lakes! There are about 130 ceramicists taking part and it's over three days in the beginning of August. It's very well known and buyers come from all the world to buy and collect so I'm really hoping it goes well.

I've decided to create a whole new body of work for this and I've already started work on some pieces, see the photos. They are developments of my lace technique but including more architectural elements so I'm looking at building structures, towers as well as medieval textile forms and patterns.

I'm going to make some wall mounted peices and some large free standing ones, hopefully they will stand out a little from the other work on show which is mainly functional work.

Keep checking the blog for more photos of the work in progress!