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Icon   Pres retired art teacher

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Posts I've Made

  1. In Topic: Oldie/Newbie

    Posted 24 May 2013

    View PostOkima, on 21 May 2013 - 01:26 PM, said:

    I started College when I was 49, and will soon be turning 51. I took ceramics the first year, and enjoyed it, but didn't like the wheel much. I took Ceramics II and we had the choice to either hand build or use the wheel. I challenged myself to the wheel, and regretted it right off as I spent hours just trying to figure out the centering. I have progressed nicely and threw around 50 pots in class. I enjoyed it so much I bought an old kick wheel, which I have used for one pot so far. It sits in my yard and I love love love sitting there.

    I'm going for my AFA in Fine Arts and Ceramics was not really on my radar as a direction until this semester. I have fallen in love with the wheel. My Ceramics Professor has mentioned this site many times in class and encouraged me to sign up. I'm finally getting that done! I look forward to learning more about the glazes and other techniques. I'm proof positive that you can teach an old dog new tricks! Posted Image

    My current worry is how to fire my pots. I have throwing clay left over from class to use on my wheel, but no kiln. I've been looking at pit firing techniques, since I do have the ability to have a little pit fire. Any suggestions would be very welcome.


    All of these ideas about pit firing, and alternative firings are fine, except for one thing; your last sentence about using up clay scraps from the classes. Do you know the firing temperature of that clay? Is it an earthenware clay, a mid range stoneware, or a high fire stoneware or porcelain body. If it is any but the earthenware, I would not pit fire it as it would not get anywhere near vitrification. If it is any of the others you should definetly seek out a business, or a non profit that would fire your work for you, at least until you get your own clay specifically for the pit type firing you are thinking of doing. The other thing you need to think about is what direction you want your pots to go-functional or decorative. Pit firing does not lend itself well to food safe functional pottery, as I am sure you well know.

  2. In Topic: Can you talk to me about plates?

    Posted 24 May 2013

    View PostMark C., on 23 May 2013 - 02:19 PM, said:

    I leaned long ago that dinnerware takes some time to process so now I keep a pile og bisque plates handy for orders
    I shot them today for you-these are Daves porcelain from Laguna-I always stock a shiny glaze and a simi matt in each at my booth .
    I flipped them so you can see my feet and my nubbin in center that I leave to catch the slump if it happens-I also sign the nubbin

    Marcia yours look great I love that matt finish

    Mark


    Great looking plates, I like the nubbin idea. I usually have a double foo ring on mine, but those can get time intensive. I'll have to try the nubbin trick-thanks for posting.

  3. In Topic: Lettering a cup

    Posted 24 May 2013

    View PostStrelnikov, on 23 May 2013 - 07:58 PM, said:

    How do you put lettering on a cup when your hand lettering skills are not that great? I'm trying to letter a cup for my aunt who will be 90 years old.


    Pick up an underglaze stamp pad from Minnesota Clay-mailing is quick. Get a rubber stamp lettering kit, stamp the name on the bisquefired clay and then glaze over top-spray glaze works well to protect the stamped area. Other techniques is to glaze the pot, fire, stamp over glaze, refire.

  4. In Topic: perceived value of a piece

    Posted 23 May 2013

    View PostJBaymore, on 22 May 2013 - 01:49 PM, said:

    View Postclay lover, on 21 May 2013 - 10:41 PM, said:

    I had an instructor once who said, "Any pot can be improved by the addition of a lid or a handle ".

    What do you think of that statement?


    Like many things that have been stated as broad generalities of absolute "fact"......... it ain't.Posted Image


    In my experience, most people working with clay start off realizing that they don't know much about it. Then they reach a point where they feel they are gaining a little knowledge and skill but stuill realize they have a lot to learn. Then they "progress" to thinking that they know a lot about it. It is only much later that they then realize that they don't really know diddly in the big scale of the ceramics field. It is those in the middle ground that tend to make those kinds of sweeping statements. It is those in the last category that should be the ones to listen to.

    best,

    ..............john


    Bury me the day that I become so knowledgeable that I can't learn any thing new! Posted Image

  5. In Topic: how many of you use a mirror to save your back

    Posted 23 May 2013

    View PostSShirley, on 23 May 2013 - 08:55 AM, said:

    Not me. I tried it but didn't like seeing my ugly self in the mirror. Better to just bend over once in a while.

    Sylvia


    Never don that. I might have to try it, but usually when throwing larger pieces I am standing and just walk a way leaving the wheel moving slowly. Other pieces I have a tendency to get up and walk back to see also. this allows me to stretch while working, but then I am not trying to crank out great numbers of pots. Some times I throw for the joy of throwing-in the dark. Good practice.

My Information

Member Title:
Advanced Member
Age:
63 years old
Birthday:
August 20, 1949
Gender:
Location:
Central, PA
Interests:
Camping, kayaking, family, travel, Art in general. I have a small studio in my garage. Two electric kilns, two wheels, wedging table etc. I am primarily interested in cone 6 Ox. but like to see what is going on at all ranges. Read about ceramics voraciously and love the feel of the clay and throwing. Have to admit that my greatest joy is in the making, not the glazing. That said I do mix my own glazes, some of my own formulas, some borrowed. Retired from teaching art, last year after 36 years, taught ceramics 34 of those years.

Contact Information

E-mail:
Private
MSN:
MSN  bisquefire06@hotmail.com
Website URL:
Website URL  http://picworkspottery.blogspot.com/

Comments

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  1. Photo

    TJR Icon

    17 May 2013 - 09:37
    Pres;
    The only way I can get those emoticons to work, is to drag and drop them.
    Tom.
  2. Photo

    Marcia Selsor Icon

    31 Jan 2013 - 11:15
    Teaching is a great service job and can be very rewarding. Glitches can be working conditions, administration, etc.
    But there are great rewards.
  3. Photo

    TJR Icon

    31 Dec 2012 - 18:37
    Pres; I wanted to thank you for your articulate and thoughtful response to the person asking about layered glazing. I really thought I was helping out here. Guess not! Tom.[TJR]
  4. Photo

    JBaymore Icon

    18 Dec 2012 - 14:35
    Pres,
    I sent an email to your address listed here.
    best,
    .............john
  5. Photo

    TJR Icon

    23 Oct 2012 - 09:13
    Pres;Thank-you for your kind thoughts. I always think of you as a soul brother on the blog, as we are in a similar situation. I am looking at the end of a great career.Two years.Tom
  6. Photo

    TJR Icon

    19 Jun 2012 - 09:18
    Pres;
    If you decide to head north to Canada, come and see me. I am in Winnipeg, Manitoba. North of Minnesota. Still teaching high school art. Two more years. Tom
  7. Photo

    Idaho Potter Icon

    18 Apr 2012 - 18:54
    Pres, after reading your comment on pugmills, came here to say I think we have a lot in common (I'm a little older than you) in that I love making pots (wheel thrown or handbuilt)but do a crappy job of glazing except in Raku. Like your posts.
  8. Photo

    TJR Icon

    29 Feb 2012 - 12:53
    Pres; I have been thinking about you lately. Had the big talk with my wife about retiring and making pots. We can't afford it. Got to hang in there for another two years teaching high school art. Built the studio at home. Too tired to use it. Take care, Tom
  9. Photo

    Alagria Icon

    21 Dec 2011 - 16:25
    Hi Pres, happy to meet you and v. impressed with images of your studio space. In a hurry just now, but will spend time visiting your blog later. Living in Australia in the mountains, I have only recently commenced my practice. What a journey! I made a beautiful shape and then spoiled it my scraping a hole through the wall. I've spend days trying to repair it.I learned a good lesson...
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