Marian Williams, Author at Marian Williams Pottery

NCECA aftermath

I’ve been sick as a dog since returning from NCECA- a major chest cold! I think the flying from Australia- the getting to Kansas City- and the fury of trying to see everything/do everything in two days took its toll! I thought I could get there on Thursday early, but as the airlines can rule your life- I only got to Kansas City about 4pm- not enough of the day- but we made the most of it- and Friday was crazy- so much fun! Saturday- not much going on except final speeches- I’m ADD and can’t sit through that- as a former academic I’m sort of done with all the theoretical shit- I’m down to basics- that’s why the exhibit hall was my cup of tea!!! Solutions to problems!!! New tools!!

Thoughts-

*so many potters in the USA!!! Lots of diverse work- I think in Australia the “type” of pottery that is seen as good or in style narrows too much.

*nothing you want to make is wrong- it’s all good and ok!

*potters are a great group of people!

Here’s a photo tour of my NCECA:

Don’t miss it next year in Portland- start planning now!!!

Redstar Studios in Kansas City is the most state-of-the-art studio I’ve EVER seen!

Chris Guston’s work is phenomenal!

Lisa Clague’s sculpture, Honey Bee, was the best!

Loved seeing a Justin Rothshank cup in person.

The demos!

Candone Wharton and her phenomenal, intricate work!

Eric Stearns demoing.

Janet DeBoos and Choo representing Australia National University

Tissue Transfers!

Handmade Bamboo Brushes!

Me- going crazy!

Elaine Coleman’s beautiful work.

Can’t believe I saw this lovely lady from Alaska, Doris Alcorn.

Judith Wagenseller at the K-12 exhibit.

Seeing Trisha Kyner was great!

So good being there with my buddies! Liz Williams, Hattie Wagenseller, Me, and Judith Wagenseller.

Bill Powell: Pottery Rock Star Strikes Again!

Videos Workshops

If you have read my previous post about Bill Powell being The Rock Star of Crystalline Glazes, you won’t be surprised to find out that he is also the Rock Star of Throwing Big Pots!

After attending a recent Bill Powell workshop offered by Ceramic Arts Queensland at the Brisbane Institute of Art location, I can honestly say that he is an amazing, talented thrower of Big Pots!!

He is a great potter, teacher and also a great entertainer! His use of the flame on his pots to dry them out in order to keep stretching, pushing the limits – dazzled us and added to the drama of his throwing.

Here he is “stretching” a vessel:

It all starts with a big lump of clay.
A tall form is thrown.
Bill carefully throws the inside and the outside of the piece before stretching.
Stretching has commenced.
Flaming the outside of the pot dries it out enough to continue the stretching without losing the pot.
Stretching continues.

Bill works 2-3 days a week at Beechmountain Pottery, throwing 45-60 vessels per day – working from 9-1 pm before heading home to work on his own pots and his beloved crystalline glazes.

bill powell art — Bill Powell’s Crystalline Glazed pottery

Be sure to check out the video of him throwing on this page.

Bill also has several videos on Youtube – here is an example of one, but check out this link for more: Bill Powell on Youtube

Bill gave us a glimpse into the life of a production potter as he threw several examples of Kombucha pots and Water Filter Systems.

The second part of the workshop allowed us to watch Bill throw a huge platter and large vessels made in two pieces then joined – amazing!

Click on the pictures below to get a larger picture.

Throwing the first part of the large vessel.

Exact measuring is the trick.

These are some seriously big callipers!

Using flaming torch to dry the pot out enough to join the second piece.

Flipping the second piece onto first piece

Joining the two pots.

Adding a lip/flange to the huge pot.

Happily joined!

Don’t miss the opportunity to see Bill Powell in action if there is another workshop around. You’ll learn heaps – and he is such a Rock Star!

Thanks to Ceramic Arts Queensland for putting on such a great workshop!

Video Oral History of The Work of Jim Hall, Australian Potter

How To's Videos

One of the first potters that I met at the Murwillumbah Potters Group was Jim Hall. He is in his 80’s now, but loves pottery and the processes still. In speaking with him, it became apparent that he had a wonderful story to tell. He was gracious enough to allow me to video tape him talking about his life as a potter and showing me some of his work. I think it is important to keep visual/audio records of people that have been involved in the artistic history of a country – they are our legacy.

How To Throw A Spiral Vessel! A Video Tutorial

How To's Tutorials Videos

I love making these mugs/cups! They fit the hand so nicely. They can also be placed in the freezer and then will make your bevie extra cold when you pour it!

Here’s how to do it:

Wine Decanters-Handpicked Handmade

Handbuilding

Saw this on Facebook and thought…..hmmmm!

I’m not one to enter competitions, but this one caught my eye. Of course, I’m way behind the 8 ball as the entry is February 17 – not much time to make, fire, glaze, fire, shoot pics, submit….

But I’m going to try. Here’s the first go at a wine decanter.

I’ve done two versions, don’t know if either are “good” enough, but the clock is ticking!

NCECA HERE I COME!

Events Exhibitions Musings

Pretty excited! Only six weeks til NCECA National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts! I’m booked – hotel, flights, and registered.

There is sooooo much cool stuff scheduled that I’m sure that I won’t be able to see/do even half of it, but I shall try! One of the highlights is the Resource Hall – man! the shopping! for potters it is shopping heaven!

I’m taking several mugs to the Cup Sale and hope to buy a few for myself.

If any of you are going, let me know and perhaps we can organize a meet up somewhere???

Til then…keep potting.

Marian

Pottery Blues – Do You Ever Get Them?

Creation Inspiration Musings

Today is one of those days.

When you ask yourself, “What the hell am I doing?”

And then you say, “This work is all CRAP!!”

And then there is more self-depricating chatter in your head and you just head to the house – no clean-up, just get the hell out of there!

I don’t know if it was the heat, Monday, the humidity, Monday, Me, Feeling Ugly, or what, but I definitely went straight to Funk City.

And that is after reading Big Magic!!

Elizabeth Gilbert’s new book is amazing! and this is the kind of shit she talks about throughout the book- guess I need to go back to chapter one and start again.

Anyway, if you haven’t read it, do it! It’s great and really good for all of us potters.

Ok, tomorrow is another day, I’ll get my attitude on straight and hit it again.

Big Magic on the way!

Marian

Pricing Your Work…A Follow-Up

How To's Musings Selling

I received some great advice, some valued sympathy, and some great suggestions in response to my blog post, Pricing Your Work.

Lori Watts, of Fine Mess Pottery blog and Fine Mess Pottery website, gave me the greatest comment that I’d like to share with you.

From Lori:

OH BOY DO I HAVE THOUGHTS!! Before I was a full time potter, I was a receptionist. It has always amazed me that, by dint of compensation, my ability to answer the phone politely is more valuable than my skill as a potter.
$35 is definitely not too much for a mug! But I know what you mean, I used to dicker myself down all the time. I stopped doing it once I established for myself an equation on which to base pricing, as opposed to just how much I think it seems like it “should” be. I worked backward: determined how much I needed to make, and then divided by how many pounds of clay i use in a year. My prices went up but I make more money. I just put the pots out there, with the prices, and never apologize or explain. If it’s not to self-promotory, here are the links to the two posts while I was working out my equation.

http://finemessblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/pots-by-pound.html
http://finemessblog.blogspot.com/2014/04/pots-by-pound-part-ii-valuable-input.html

i am working on a third one, in my head, called The Life-Changing Magic of Doing the Math.

Thanks Lori – such awesome advice. It’s a struggle for all of us!

Keep the Faith,

Marian

How To Spiral Wedge And Throw On A Pottery Wheel- A Demonstration by Tetsuo Iwashita

How To's Videos

In July, 2010, I visited Mashiko, Japan. It was a public holiday and few of the studios were open or working. We happened into Tetsuo Iwashita’s studio where he graciously gave us a tour and threw a pot for us. Here is a link to the video: