The busy wheels

One day last week there were three potters in a row on the wheels.  I had to get them to smile for this picture!  Their work was gorgeous, as were their smiles, don't ya think?

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

1917-12-01-The-Country-Gentleman
-Norman-Rockwell-cover
-Cousin-Reginald-Catches-the-Thanksgiving-Turkey

The Clay Studio will be closed for the thanksgiving holiday starting wed. night.  We will reopen mon. for regular studio hours. 
Charles Freeland, Studio Manager

Those Gingko Leaves

Marsha Cozart has done it again, using commercial glazes on this lovely Gingko platter

Too cold Saturday

Message from Charles Freeland:
BRRRRRRR!!!  Studio closed today due to extreme cold.  Poor little heater working over time still cant warm the studio past 50 on days like this. We will resume normal hours tomorrow.

Catching him in Action

I'm glad I kept clicking photos of Luke yesterday, because half of them were blurs as he was cleaning up...a man of action!  Cleaning up after an open studio or a class is actually scheduled into the time we spend working in clay...it's a community studio after all, so someone else may be using the same equipment tomorrow.

stills from...Video of firing Anagama (abridged)

Don Reitz describing how the fire will flow around pots in the kiln

A five day firing, then five day cooling.  So we saw about 35 minutes from the entire process, actually including some of the loading and unloading of the kiln.  Wonder what percentage that would come out to be...

Dragons breath, the puff of smoke coming out of the firebox...it shows dark at the top of the kiln.

That's Charles Freeland in red, about 17 years ago.

Stoking the side ports

The kiln was about 40 feet long, 4-1/2 feet high, and around 6 feet wide.

During the 5 day cool-down, participants went sightseeing in Colorado and Arizona.

Then a chain of people unloaded everything, when wares were still pretty hot.

Some of Charles' work...

Different finishes based on where the pots were in the firing.

Several members of the Clay Club shared that they wood fire in this area.  Many of the students at BMCA Clay Studio have never observed a wood kiln.  It's a smokey affair and gives results that aren't duplicated in other kilns.  Thanks Charles Freeland, for sharing his experience with all of us.  Charles is the manager of the Clay Studio of Black Mountain Center for the Arts.

Clay Club eating and greeting

Some great deserts...and a few more nutritious items...you just never know in a pot luck!

We enjoyed seeing Charles' firing the anagama kiln with the late Don Reitz back in the 90s at N. Arizona U. in Flagstaff.  (Some shots of the video with both Charles and Don will be in tomorrow's post)

Here are the great potters who joined us last Wed. night in Black Mountain.  (I just love taking photos of people eating!)

Ready for Clay Club

Molly is spiffing up the windows so they will shine for all of us tonight as Clay Club folks (everyone interested in clay) come to share a pot luck and a short video of a wood firing kiln (Anagama) done by our own Charles Freeland and the late Don Reitz at Arizona U.

Some votive candle holders

Yes, Pat is happy with the way these turned out.

Remember Clay Club

Just a reminder, for all of you who are able to come, this Wed. at 6:30 to our party of potters...and it's a pot luck too.
Drinks and paper goods will be provided by the Studio.
We will be missing some of our regular folks, so I hope the newer pottery lovers will enjoy meeting the folks that can come.  I know this is a busy time of year for potters who make their living at potting.
A video of Charles Freeland and Don Reitz firing the Anagama Kiln in Arizona (not too many years ago, but we will soon see!)...and live...Mathilda Tanner giving a short demo on her incising techniques...and just general relaxing fun.

Welcome new student!

One of our newest pottery students is Nancy...who obviously already knows a bit about making pots!

Charles working

A thrown cylinder which has been altered (no longer round shape) is getting a bottom made from a slab.

With the feet applied, final details were added...then it was allowed to dry before being bisque fired.

What's that following the chicken?

Underglaze painted Gingko Leaves on a nice plate, as well as chicks following the chicken on a mug...Marsha is getting artsy!

Amelia at work

Pot discussion

Not only are potters the friendliest people in the world (I speak from years of experience) they like to discuss what the products of their work show...and ask each other what kind of glaze would look good on what...here Bonnie and Sarah consider a tray.

Clay Club here Nov. 12

Clay Club is coming to Black Mountain Clay Studio.

Wed. November 12, 6:30-8:00 pm.

A Pot-luck dinner will be shared.

It's always an open meeting for whoever has interest in clay.

Entertainment will be watching part of an Anagama wood firing in video at N. Arizona U by Charles Freeland and Don Reitz...and seeing how Mathilda Tanner works her magic in incised designs.  And maybe Geoff Bird will show something fun also.

I hope you will mark your calendars.  And imagine being there, with your favorite food to share.  I sure hope to see you then!

For directions, look for Black Mountain Center for the Arts, and the clay studio is a small building behind and downhill from Thai Basil Restaurant and the BMCA!

Bonnie is proud

Her first slip mixed plate came out looking great!  Bonnie is our tuffa garden expert.

Hey Fred!

Fred is about to start another of his hand built beauties...wonder what it will be this time.

Better weather expected tomorrow

This just in on Facebook...

Black Mountain Center for the Arts

Well, folks, the weather is just too awful for a good run today, so we are postponing our 5k & Fun Run until tomorrow, Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 2:00 pm. Packet pick up and same day registration will be 12:30 to 2:00. BBQ pork and chicken starts at 12:30. Please come out and enjoy better weather with us then!