How to do Pottery and Studio Updates!

Studio Updates.

Spring session classes officially end on Monday, June 16, which means that the studio hours for the summer will be changing. Please take note that they are shorter due to the fact that it's summer and people will be doing things in the rare and brilliant sunshine.

• Mon: 10AM-6PM
• Tues-Thu: 10AM-9PM
• Fri: 10AM-6PM
• Sat & Sun: Noon-6PM

This schedule runs from 6/13 to 7/7. Summer classes start on the 7th of July. Enjoy the bridge, clay buddies! See you all in the studio.

Clay Critique Club

Clay Critique in June will happen on Tuesday, June 27th. Sara, Will, and Dylan will all be in attendance, so bring a snack and a bevvie and your favorite piece from the Spring session. The critique club will run from 6-730 or 8 depending on energy level and number of pieces to talk about.

​Empty Bowls

If you are planning on donating your bowls for this great event, get them in this week. There is a set of shelves at the front of the studio. Please write your name on the bowl(s) you leave. If you are planning on going, the event is being held at Boundary Bay Brewing this Saturday June 17th from 530 to 830 pm.

For more information, contact Dawn Sodt at (360) 224-7607 or visit whatcomartistsofclayandkiln.org/

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How to do Pottery in 10 Steps.

1. Be patient. Clay cannot be rushed.
2. Clay is a physical material and must be understood with your whole body.
3. Clay, like people, has limitations. Pushing it beyond its limitations will result in disaster.
4. Always have a plan in mind.
5. Don't be too strict about sticking to your plan.
6. Have faith. Even when the bisque version of your piece is atrocious.
7. Be generous with your knowledge and your support and stingy with your judgment. Making stuff is hard.
8. Know when to throw away your work. Some things aren't meant to last forever.
9. If you need one, make three. You learn more in multiples.
10. Be present with your work. You will always find yourself within it.

Bonus: aggression + compassion = pottery

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Tip of the week!

This week, we are coming at you with a glazing tip, and one that really helps you get over the intimidating hurdle of glazing.

One of the challenges of glazing is that when you get your piece in its bisque form, it looks very different than what you knew as a fresh, lovely, greenware piece. It might in fact be hard to relate to. This is why you should set yourself up with practice. 
You can get this by making some fast, low-effort work to practice on before you get to the stuff you care more about.

If you are learning how to throw on the wheel, save the work you think isn't good. You know, the stuff with really thin bottoms, uneven lips, and wonky shapes. (We all have them.) This is the best work to practice trimming and glazing on before you get to the stuff you really care about. 

When you are working in handbuilding, make 10 or 12 quick four-inch tall pinch or slab vessels to glaze experiment with. Spend some time using slip, oxides, and surface carving/decorating to break yourself into this type of making.

When you glaze things you don't care as much about, you will be able to experiment and take chances more because you won't be stressed about making it look "good".

After you have glazed 10-15 pieces, you will feel more confident about glazing the work you are really proud of. 

Take it from me, waiting until the end of the session to glaze all the special pieces you have created is stressful, and many people end up hating glazing for a long time before they become comfortable with it. 

​Happy glazing!!

Resources for Artists

Artist Websites / Blogs(that have a strong service component to them)

I got these from The Ceramics Field Guide. You will find much more information there.

Ayumi Horie
Fantastic list of artists, organizations, blogs, schools, galleries, and videos.
Sally Brogden
Excellent list of resources for students including artists, technical information, galleries and suppliers.
Kristen Kieffer
An excellent web page with informative links, and an interesting blog.
Linda Arbuckle
An astounding amount of exceptional information about glazes, techniques and processes.
John Glick
This website is full useful information, very organized and thoughtful.
Louis Katz
Very informative page full of glaze information, videos, projects, writings and articles. Never a dull moment on this page.
Steven Colby BlogIts interesting to see Steven work change over time, and some great inclusion of historical pots, and music.
Connie Norman
This blog has some wonderful interviews, and is very approachable.
Brian Jones Blog
This blog has some wonderful recorded interviews, casual and interesting, easy to navigate.
Ben Carter
Ben Carter runs a rather delightful blog with interesting and thoughtful podcast interviews with Artist at: Tales of a Red Clay Rambler
Harriette Estel Berman
Harriette has an amazingly helpful website full of suggestions and guidelines for professional activities – see side bar to the right and left for specifics.
SS Robinson’s Ceramic Resource Site
Stephen (Stiffy) Robinson’s blog has many wonderful videos and links