First Week

I had a great first week at St. Pete Clay. Not too much to write about. Basically, my focus has been making making making. I need to complete a bunch of work for the 3rd week of Sept.

I'm sending off about 40 pieces to the Clay Studio in Philadephia and I also want to fill my online shop with 30+ pieces (via etsy or my website or both).

So here are just a few, not-the-most-interesting pictures from the week.

My wonderful morning drive over the ocean to St. Pete via the Gandy Bridge

Measure twice. Install once.

Saturday is my work day. Jeremy and I took down A.I.R show and reinstalled it in the middle gallery space. 

It's a party and all the new bowls and plates were invited. 

Jumped right into making mugs, cups, plates, platters and bowls

Lots more to come.  I'll be making some more plates this week and definitely some BiG items. Platters, fruit bowls, pitchers, maybe a teapot or two. Should be fun.

Studiooo Time

First day at the studio. Got my space in order (I think) and started finishing some work I started at Penland. 

Good Morning.

The Kiln Yard

Applying lines and washes. Trying out a cobalt underglaze pencil.... Consistency is very much like a colored pencil. We'll see how it turns out

L-shape work tables

A lonely wheel separated from table space by a large shelving unit 

Now I just need to make stuff.

Made it!

I'm Hereeeeee.

Just over the FL boarder, I passed a billboard advertising "Fresh Florida orange juice, live baby gators and HUGE candy shop"

All three-in-one for your one stop shopping experience. Made me wonder why I stayed in CT so long :)

Penland, Check.

My Penland experience: Andy Shaw was great, people were great, facilities and food were great,  mosquito bites were not great.

I made a few plates, several larger bowls, a bunch of cereal-size bowls, mugs, a jar and a couple of pitchers. I didn't leave with many finished pieces, mostly bisque ware. 

Andy Shaw, professor at LSU, is an amazing teacher and person. He is incredibly nice, easy to talk to and very perceptive. During the first week, he shared a lot of interesting thoughts about functional pots. He also talked about his decision making process and concepts behind his current body of work. 

A few early week pots. 

Slippin plates

Slip on the inside

Candy coated mugs. Tried out a couple different handles.

Oh leather hard

Since our class was only firing atmospheric kilns, Andy suggested I fire some things in oxidation. Susan let me use the baby kiln for these guys. Really happy I was able to do that.

A few plates. They were fired in a reduced soda kiln. Colors turned muddy and they warped severely. 

 2 redux, 1 salt, 1 soda, 4 days. Champs.

My gurlzzz Kat & Alanna. Chuppa Chikka.

Studio view from my wheel

The beautiful, thoughtful and sensitive work of Andy Shaw. He gave everyone in the class a piece. Incredible.

These past two weeks have been a thought-provoking and reflective time. I slowed down a bit and wrote a lot.

Feeling tired, emotional and anxious. Yay for adventure.

In Savannah, GA right now. Will be in Tampa, FL tomorrow afternoon.

Pressing on.