Maiolica in the Fitzwilliam Collection

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You may remember me mentioning this book before.  I love, love, love it and got it out last night for some inspiration.

Today I found that the collection is online on the Fitzwilliam's website.

Amazing!! All in color too.  Here is the Link to the maiolica collection.

They also have a nice stoneware collection. Click here.  I haven't made it all the way through yet, but there are some fine celadons.

Anyhow it's so cool to have all this information online.  Still nothing beats seeing pots in person and I'd love to visit the Fitzwilliam sometime.

When looking at images in books or online I try to pay attention to the dimensions.  It's so funny how I can look at a bowl and think it's much larger than it really is.  Most of the pots I like on the site are 16-24 cm.  Weird b/c  just from looking at the pics they seem larger.

Shapes can be deceiving too.  Esp. with bowls that are photographed from the top.  One cool feature of the book is that there is a dictionary of shapes at the end, technical line drawings and cross sections.  Each entry in the book has a number and you can go to the back and see the drawing of the cross section.  (very handy if you want to shoot out to the studio and try to make one).

Opening at Pottery 101

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The opening for Form and Surface:  Four Perspectives was last Friday at Pottery 101 in Salisbury,NC.  We had a great turnout.  Owner Cheryl Goins can sure throw an opening, we had great food, a keg of beer, wine and live music!!  Thanks Cheryl!  Julie Wiggins, Amy Sanders, Jen Mecca and I were the featured potters.  Jen couldn't make it to the opening.  Here are some photos.

Ron, Julie, and Amy





Tuesday's Complaint

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Aaron said he'd like to hear more complaining so here you go.

I'm sick of snakes!!  I found this guy in the studio not too long ago.  This was after the first snake incident.



Evidently he spent the night in there.  Karma was in there all night too but didn't sniff the snake out till the next morning.  He was hiding in a corner behind several buckets of slip. (As you can see I haven't cleaned that corner in a while).  So I pulled the buckets out, picked the snake up with a hoe and took it a half mile down the road and released it.

No more snakes!!!

Blogging Funk

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I've been in sort of a funk lately and haven't felt like posting much.  I am getting pots made and things are generally good.  I have been having lower leg and behind the knee pains for a while now and it's getting pretty frustrating, especially at night when I try to go to sleep.  I think some anti-fatigue mats are in store for the studio and I got new insoles for my work shoes. (I'm Gel-ing)


I have been putting effort into my Online Store and that seems to be paying off.  I would love to bring in more income from online sales.


I've also just sent new images and information to two galleries that I'd really love to have work in, or be included in a show.  Fingers crossed.


Anything you all want to discuss or have me post this week?  I'm open for suggestions.


Okay, have a good Monday.  I've talked Sarah into going out for pizza later so I'd better go finish up work in the studio!

Pots in Use

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Melanie in Chicago send me these images of my pots being put to use at breakfast time.  Thanks Melanie!!
Click for larger, more complete images.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2" orderby="ID"]

If you have pot of mine in your home or kitchen I'd love to have an image or two.  Send .jpg to ronpots2 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Happy Saturday all

Alittle Fun

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I made some plates and bowls today. Nothing is really drying so the pots from yesterday are just hanging out.  I took some time today to just play around and have fun with some underglazes on tiles.  The black is wax combined w. black stain.  It allowed me to pool  the underglazes around the images in a carefree way.  Click for larger more complete image.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="2" orderby="ID"]

It was fun working with these bigger areas of color, but really I have no idea what I'm doing, just trying stuff and seeing how it looks.   The black lines are neat and remind me a bit of a coloring book.  I've been looking at some lino-block prints too and that played in to some of the deco.  Oh well, now time to get dinner on the table.  Tomorrow normal potting resumes.

Back on the Wheel

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Finally made it into the studio this morning.  It felt good to get a few pots under my belt.


I'll get some bowls made this afternoon.  That's it for now. Just wanted to show some proof of potting going on here.

What Am I Doing??

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There has been no major action in the studio since last week.  I am Thinking a lot though.  That's good right?

Jen Mecca and I went up to Pottery 101 in Salisbury yesterday to set up the exhibition featuring Amy Sanders, Julie Wiggins, Jen and Me.  Yay! It looks awesome.  The opening is this Friday.



I've also been listing pots on Etsy.  I am trying to increase my stock there so I am adding new pots daily.  Here's a creamer that going up later tonight.



I think these are cool little pots.  I don't know if this Pink and Light Blue thing is just a phase but it's fun you know.  I'm sure some will say, What the hell is Ron doing?!  Honestly, I didn't see these flowery pots coming but I'm having a good time drawing them and using these soft glazes.  Who knows what's coming up next, Blood Thirsty Raccoons maybe.  We'll see.

15 Before 5 Unloaded on 5/15

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I unloaded some pots this morning.   Remember my 15 before 5 post? Well all those were in this kiln.  So that's 15 pots made,trimmed,handled and slipped on the 10th before 5pm. Then fired in less than a week, 5 days actually.  And unloaded on the 15th of the 5th month. Okay enough of that. Here's the video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pVSdIb8yng

Clary Illian: A Year in the Life

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I had the privilege awhile back of being asked to pre-view the film A Year in Life about potter Clary Illian.  Clary has been a big inspiration in my work and I was fortunate enough to take a class with her at Arrowmont several years ago and later Sarah and I visited her at her pottery in Ely, Iowa.

The film documents Clary during a time of transition in her life and work.  After a wrist injury Clary is forced to stop working for several months.  Something she's never done in her career.  She talks about this time and also about the decision to scale down her pottery operation by moving to a smaller house, giving up her stoneware and porcelain , her gas kilns and make the change to electric fired earthenware.  (Of course I was very interested in this aspect).

There is a slide show of over 150 of Clary's pots.  That alone is worth the $30.  There are also a couple of interviews with other potters and an extended interview sequence with Clary.

For more information, and out takes from the film,  you can visit THIS WEBSITE.  Film maker Adam Burke did a great job on this film. I for one am thankful to have this documentary on Clary, who many consider to be one of America's finest utilitarian potters.

Pot in Use

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I received this image of a salt glazed mug of mine from my pal Scott the other day.


Here's what Scott had to say,


This mug was gifted to me a few years ago, which was my introduction to your
pots. This mug is in my Top 3 favorites because it's functional... it holds
just the right amount of coffee and keeps it nice & warm and it seems less
prone to spilling or sloshing out than some mugs.  It's visually
appealing...  I love the color and surface decoration, especially the little
"drippies" around the top that just make me smile for some reason.  And I
love the way it feels in my hand... it fits my hand like it was custom-made
for me and my fingers can't help touching the little wheel-shaped
impressions.  Thanks for a great mug Ron!

It's good to know that my pots are out there enriching others lives and experiences.

15 Before 5

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I have an exhibition with some other potters coming up in a couple weeks.  I've already saved back most of  the pots but I thought a few more were needed to choose from .

So before lunch I threw these 15 pots and worked at getting them dried to leather hard, handled, trimmed and slipped all in one day.


By 5 o'clock I had them all finished and slipped.


Tomorrow they will be ready to draw on.  I'll get them in the bisque tomorrow night with some pots that are already on the shelves.

A Nice Day

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The ClayMatters Spring Sale was yesterday and I had a successful show.  Thanks so much for everyone who came out to visit and those who bought pots.  The weather was sunny and warm .  I have a nice spot in the shade so I didn't even take my canopy.


I've simplified my set up over the last few years.  I have sort of a fancy display that I use for high end, indoor shows.  But the set up above is easy, quick and light.  I use hollow core doors (recycled) on fold up plastic saw horses for my tables.  These are draped and I have home made shelving and racks on top.


This bowl stayed around until the last hour of the show and then was sold.  It was one of my favorites from the last firing.



I blogged about it before in this video about foot treatments.



I have plans to list pots  on my Etsy site over the next few days.  Check back in here for updates.

A Few New Images

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I unloaded a great group of pots this morning.  These little creamers are brand new and I've already sold the two on the right.  Looks like I'll have to make more. (Click any image for larger view)



I tried out quite a few new ideas in this load.  I think I tapped into my feminine side with some of these glaze colors.


Below, Running Dog small plate.



A small plate with  Flowers.



I was happy with this Side Handle Teapot too.  I like the contrast with the unslipped clay handle, lid, and spout.  It has the Laundry Line wrapping all the way around.


Side A


Side B


There were many more but they'll have to wait.  I'm getting all packed up for the Claymatters Pottery Guild Spring Sale which is tomorrow from 10 am till 4 pm at the McAlpine Business Park 8300 Monroe Road. Charlotte NC 28211.


I'm In a Book

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Techniques Using  Slips by John Mathieson is out. And guess what?  My work is in there! Yey. I've never been in a pottery book before*.  I'm so excited.  Thanks to John for asking me and for being so patient when I had issues with my photos (over and over).  Any how here are a few photos from the book.  These were taken from Doug Fitch's blog. The book is on sale in the UK HERE.  It's avaliable for pre-order in the US HERE.

Here's my bit.


Here's Doug

And the cover



I can't wait to get a copy.


Off to unload the kiln now. Pics up later!!!



*I was in a karate book as a teenager.  I can't remember the title but I was photographed demonstrating punches, kicks and attacks.