Marian Williams, Author at Marian Williams Pottery

Montsalvat-Brian Keyte Workshop-copper reds

Copper Red Glazes: Brian Keyte Workshop

I signed up for the Brian Keyte workshop as I am obsessed with conquering Copper Red Glazes! My previous post gives you a bit of information about Brian. I can get copper reds, no worry. But they aren’t consistent and are often found running on the kiln shelf.

Arriving at Monsalvat for the Brian Keyte Workshop was a treat! It is an absolutely gorgeous setting!

The grounds are quite bucolic and although a cold day, the jonquils were peaking out to say “hello, spring is coming soon!”

One always has expectations when going into a class/workshop situation.

My hopes/expectations were:

1. To figure out how to improve my spraying and application of glazes

copper red glaze — Copper Red Bowl – not full reduction to the foot of the bowl.

2. To learn how to get better over all reduction of my copper reds

3. To learn how to avoid those dreaded drips and runs of glazes onto the foot of the pot and the kiln shelf.

Copper Red Glaze Drips — Nightmare Glaze Drips!

Well I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed!

Brian was so generous with all of his information and had some really good general advice for potters.

A couple of advice gems that we all should hang on to were:

1. Don’t chase the rabbit down the hole just because you are curious.

2. When you look at other’s work, ask yourself WHAT it is that you like about it and then the BIG QUESTION….WHY DO YOU LIKE IT? If you don’t ask why, then you are just copying.

Brian also talked a great deal about glazes and how to “fix” problem glazes. Crazy, I have 3 copper red glaze recipes that i use and they ALL have Gerstley Borate in them and this could be the problem! So good to know and “fixable”! One of his main suggestions was test tiles – I know – what’s new!

He also demonstrated the proper use of a spray gun, the angle that is best and lots of tricks of the trade to get a good spray happening – all great info!!

One of the most interesting suggestions for getting consistently good copper reds is in the way you reduce your kiln. I reduce at the burners and at the flu, but according to Brian, to get a good top to bottom, even reduction, one should only reduce at the flu. The reduction at the burners gives a swirling, uneven reduction and if that is the look you are going for, then swirl away!

Another great tip was to check out the glaze software called Matrix out of New Zealand. On my list of things to do next week. Sounds great! I’ll keep you posted.

The exhibit at Montsalvat was awesome! Here’s a link to that exhibit. Click Here!

Seeing Brian’s work in person was a great treat! So gorgeous!

Montsalvat-Brian Keyte Workshop-copper red glaze — Brian Keyte Copper Red Bowl

Ok, now back to the spray booth and the kiln! Let’s see if I can conquer this copper red thing!

Love to all!

Marian

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Brian Keyte

Amazing Potters Copper Reds Glazes Glazes and Glazing Inspiration Top Slid Workshops

I’m sort of a workshop junkie! I’m headed to the Brian Keyte Glaze Workshop in Melbourne.

Skepski Gallery in Melbourne is featuring some of Brian’s work and it is fabulous!

The Salt Exhibit is the one that won me over! My heart actually skipped a beat and I said, “I’m going!”

Ronnie decided to go with me, so we are makiing it a belated anniversary trip – Sweeet!

Melbourne is such an awesome town anywho! So it’s Victoria Market and Boreks for lunch. Yum Cha for afternoon tea in China Town, then dinner on Lygon Street tonite for Italian! and I haven’t even made it to the workshop yet!

The workshop is being held at Montsalvat – a totally groovy place! You must check out the link!

Gettinng a good nite’s sleep so I’ll be good to go in the morning!

His blog has some awesome examples of his glazes! Click here.

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firing results-gas reduction kiln-cone 10-high fire glazes-tenmoku

Latest Firing Results! Gas Reduction Cone 10

Glazes Glazes and Glazing Results Top Slid

Here are some pics of my latest firing results from my gas kiln. I take it to Cone 10 and start reduction at 750 degrees C and keep it there til I reach temperature. I’m getting much better results largely due to my concentrated effort to NOT put runny glazes on the back!! and to avoid using too many test glazes all over pieces (I really don’t know why that would be a struggle!).

I also got lots of great copper reds, but I’ll put them in a separate post.

Get to glazing!

Love,

Marian

Women Who Fire With Wood

Firing Top Slid Wood firing Woodfiring

Women Who Fire With Wood.

I’m one of them.

The group-Claire Byrne, Marian Williams, Lorraine Emmanuel, Ann Lee, Ronda Luland.

Beau and Morgan – assisted with the cutting of the wood.

Ronda Luland having fun gathering wood!

Lorraine Emmanuel assisting in the wood loading.

We load wood. Stack wood. Clean shelves, load the kiln, make pots FOR a wood firing.

After each firing, I say to myself, “I’m NOT going to do that again. It’s too much work. Results are often if’y” – but then the next woodfiring comes around and there I am…right in the middle of the whole process.

So I ask myself, “WHY!”

Well, I found this old article in Ceramics Monthly, entitled, “Women Who Fire With Wood”, that says it beautifully.

Please summarise the story in one sentence — Ceramics Monthly Article

“It may also be the magic of community, seeing friends’ faces lit by a ten-foot foxtail of flame shooting out the chimney (wood firing is rarely done alone), and the knowledge they are a constant participant in the “becoming” of the pot that drives most of these women to gather, split, stack and stoke wood into the fiery inferno of the kiln.

In fact, the bulk of labor involved in the wood-firing process totally lacks romance or magic, but the hours of scraping shelves, wadding ware and preparing the wood lead to those precious moments when the kiln seems to breathe, and the resulting pots capture a memory of that experience.

Whatever their individual reasons may be for firing with wood, the group as a whole is undaunted by the difficult process, and purposefully chooses to create works that demand the direct touch of the flame.”

And that’s the point isn’t it. We do it for the fun, the camaraderie, the passion, the fire!

The results…well, some are good and some are bad…but we will do it again as soon as we get our energy back!

A beautiful leaf created by Lorraine Emmanuel.

Claire Byre looking over some of the woodfiring results.

Tara’s lovely handbuilt bottle.

Handbuilt bowl with cone 6 glazes.

Tray with green glaze.

A casserole with Cone 6 glazes – a refire.

Peace out my lovelies!

Marian

lyndall bensley-journal of australian ceramics-sea sculptures-ceramic artist

Lyndall Bensley, Ceramic Sculptor

Amazing Potters Inspiration Sculpture Top Slid

Lyndall Bensley, Ceramic Sculptor, lives right down the road from me!

She’s featured in the latest edition of the Journal of Australian Ceramics! I’m pretty excited for her as this could help to propel her into her dream – of being a recognised sculptor of endangered marine life in Australia.

Lyndall works from her studio in Cabarita Beach, NSW. Her inspiration comes from the sea.

Her sculptures are amazing! So lifelike and exact down to the details!

lyndall bensley-sea sculptures-ceramic artist — Lyndall Bensley adding the details to the sea turtle sculpture.

Her main goal with the sculptures is to allow people to see these beautiful, endangered creatures and learn about them – to appreciate them.

Lyndall states,

“These sculptures take you under the sea – to a world you don’t usually see unless you’re a scuba diver, surfer, or fisherperson. I try to be true to the animal – represent them as they truly are. I do alot of research on each one and I know all about them – their migration, breeding, what they eat, etc.

What I like about my sculptures is that you don’t have to squish your eyes to figure out what it is – you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy the sculpture and you can learn something along the way.”

Each of these animals are indigenous to Australia and are endangered. Lyndall hopes to educate the public and help to save these beautiful creatures.

Here are some examples of her work in progress:

lyndall bensley-studio lyndall-port jackson shark-sculpture- — Port Jackson Shark Sculpture In Progress

Lyndall bensley-studio lyndall-hammerhead shark — Hammerhead Shark Sculpture in Progress by Lyndall Bensley

Hawksbill Turtle Sculpture in Progress by Lyndall Bensley

Her work is fantastic! Click on each small picture to get a slide show of the pics bigger!

Whale Spy Hopping by Lyndall Bensley

Whale Eye-Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Port Jackson Shark Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

lyndall bensley-studio lyndall-sculptures

Various Sculptures by Lyndall Bensley

Port Jackson Shark and Ray Sculptures by Lyndall Bensley

Wobbegong Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Octopus Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

lyndall bensley-hawksbill turtle-sculpture-clay-ceramic

Hawksbill Turtle Head-Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Lyndall Bensley-Port Jackson Shark-Sculpture

Port Jackson Shark – Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Whale Shark Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Lyndall exhibited her sculptures in Ballina at the Ballina Regional Art Gallery in 2013.

Lyndall Bensley-sophie — Lyndall Bensley and Sophie, daughter.

Here’s an article about that show: Article

Click on each small pic to get a larger version!

lyndall-bensley-studio-lyndall-exhibition-ballina

Exhibition in Ballina by Lyndall Bensley

manta ray sculpture-lyndall bensley-studio lyndall-exhibition-ballina

Manta Ray Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Manta Ray by Lyndall Bensley

Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings-lyndall bensley-studio lyndall-turtles-hatching

Hawksbill Turtle Hatchings by Lyndall Bensley

hawksbill turtle hatchlings-lyndall bensley-studio lyndall-turtles hatching-sculpture

Hawksbill Turtle Hatchings by Lyndall Bensley

Humpback Whale Fin Slap Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Humpback Whale Tail Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

Humpback Whale Spy Hop Sculpture by Lyndall Bensley

She was also a finalist in 2012, 2011 and 2010 for the Caldera Art: See Brochure here

AND a Border Art Prize Finalist for 3 years! That is amazing in itself!

I’m hoping to be able to say, “I knew her when….!”

Keep on the lookout for her!

Follow Lyndall on Facebook and Instagram.

Good luck, Lyndall!

Aventurine Glazes: I Have One! A Gift!

Glazes

I recently received a gift from my good friend, Alanis Su, upon her return from a visit to Taiwan. It was a small bowl with the most incredible and interesting glaze – it sparkled as though gold flecks had been added to the glaze! I had never seen anything like it! and had no idea what it was!

By the way, the pictures don’t do it justice!

Then in two separate blog posts, I heard about a new glaze called aventurine! One blog post was by Peter’s Pottery from New Zealand, in which he states: “One new glaze that I am particularly interested in, is an aventurine glaze. This is a special type of low alumina glaze that contains an enormous amount of iron oxide. If all goes well the glaze will be full of tiny sparkling crystals, rather like a chocolate coloured night sky full of stars!”

The other blog post was by John Britt, USA, Facebook Page from ClayClub Blog featuring this video:

However, it’s been out there for quite a while. Here’s some more info on it if you want to know more:

Aventurine Glazes

Clayart Thread

So it seems that I have a sample of one of the new hot things in glazing!

Marian Williams-Alanis Su — Alanis Su and Marian Wiliams

Thanks Alanis!

How To Set Up A Marketing Stall For Your Pottery

How To's Selling Top Slid

Setting up a stall at the Gold Coast Pottery Market usually consists of putting out a table, arranging some pieces on the table and sticking a price tag on the pieces. Well…let me tell you…You need a stylist!!!

Burnpile owners, Krista Mathis and Morgan Lloyd

I was lucky enough to have my friends from Burnpile , Krista Mathis and Morgan Lloyd, to do the booth with me. Krista and Morgan are all about making it look great!

Firstly, they decided that we needed a backdrop (who knew!). So Morgan took down the bathroom stall doors out of an old building that we are in the process of deconstructing and used them to make a backdrop – muy cute, hey?! It’s on hinges, so it could be set up easily and adjusted when we got there.

Samantha Scout is always around and always helping!

Market Stall background — Market Stall Background and Shelves

He also made some shelving from recycled timber.

The backdrop for the market stall and a table created by Morgan Lloyd of Burnpile.

I had plenty of pots to take for the sale and I made cute little sales tags from my business cards (Moo Cards), hole punch, sticky tags and twine.

Price tags-business cards — Cards, prices and twine.

Mugs with cute little price tags attached.

We used his wonderful recycled timber creations for the rest of the booth.

Krista felt we needed to create a “homey feel” to the booth, so we took carpet, a chair, flowers, etc.

Here's that homey look! — Here’s that homey look!

But loading all the timber onto the truck made us look sort of like the Beverly Hillbillies moving to town!

Another aspect of the ‘styling’ is in the use of the photos that Krista showed me – edited and posted on Instagram.

Cerami pendants — Stylized Photo of Ceramic Pendants

For the Burnpile Instagram display, she had the pics printed and then strung them on twine for displaying other pieces in the Burnpile range. Great idea, huh?! By the way, follow me on Instagram at http://instagram.com/marianwilliamspottery

A string of Instagram Snaps showed off additional Burnpile creations.

All in all, it was a great day, we got heaps of complements on the market stall and it made me realize that with a little effort, you can truly make things look more appealing to the buyer!

So get out there and start stylin’! or find someone to help you! That market booth should look fab!

Luv,

Marian

Wooden Stamps For Pottery

Creation Decorations Pottery Stamps Tools Tools and Equipment Top Slid

I just purchased a few stamps for making impressions in clay! They are awesome!

To get yours, go to the website for Gilbert’s Tree, a shop in Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia.

Happy stamping!

Marian

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Pottery Glazes Cone 6 Coyote Clay Glazes

Cone 6 Glazes – Trialing Coyote Glazes

Cone 6 Glazes Coyote Clay Glazes Firing Glazes Glazes and Glazing Top Slid

In my former life as a potter in Texas, I only had an electric kiln. I found Coyote Glazes just as I was leaving to move to Australia, so only had a few firings with their glazes, but was totally impressed by them. Since being in Australia and having a gas kiln, I have spent years learning the glazes, processes and techniques to achieve success in that type of kiln. However, on a recent trip to the USA, I bought and brought back sever 10# bags of Coyote glazes and 6 pint jars of accent glazes from Coyotes. I don’t want to give up my high-fire reduction gas fired work, but sometimes I long for the dependability and ease of the electric-fired cone 6 glazes. So far, I’ve had some good luck.

Back side of bowl-Red Gold Coyote Clay Glaze - Cone 6 — Back side of bowl-Red Gold Coyote Clay Glaze – Cone 6

Be sure to check out their website for great information on all their glazes, applications and suggestions for use.

Now back to glazing for high-fire reduction! Bring on the copper reds!

Marian

Altered Pitchers or Jugs

Creation Projects

I’m having fun with some pitchers or jugs as they call them here in Australia. In the USA, jugs refers to “breasts”, so I have trouble with that transfer in our common language. Sort of like, we say “fanny pack”. In Australia, they think that is super gross and funny – they say “bum bag”, cause in Australia, fanny means vagina! But I digress….

I really love altering pitchers! So here are some examples of the altered pitchers/jugs!