To be Thick as a Brick

I started doing this pattern work with roulettes and stamps a few years ago when I made some tool caddies to fire at Shane Mickeys. Kept working it around to vase type forms. Started with a triangular vase, then on to more of a brick shape.

There are variations of shape and scale, but since I was pressed for time, I stayed with the same template. Happy with the way they turned out, only lost one to cracking and it had the worst surface anyway, so win-win.

Let Brad pick one for his house, wrapped them up for home. Ended up with what I feel is some nice work, and I can't thank the Ohio crew enough for inviting me and taking care of my work for me.

OK, so back to the studio. Firing a lot of Cone 10 reduction for the shop. Going to save back a couple of the wood pieces to build a body of work to pitch to galleries. First thing is to finish rebuild on the front arch of the wood kiln. Weather has started to cool, and a fall firing seems to be in order.

Going to post a calender of event for the next months showing where we are going to be this fall.

Next: "Coming Attractions"

Bricks & Plates

Wow, two posts in two days. I'm a regular Mike Kline.

I took four large plates. They are 25 lbs at the start and thrown about 28" in diameter. Two got in the cantenary I was firing and the others are waiting their time. I thought they turned out well.

Also took eight patterned flower bricks I have been working on the past year, and a few jugs for kicks. Hope to shoot images of the bricks tonight and will post as soon as I have them.

Next: "To be Thick as a Brick"

Talking In Tongues

Apparently I am bad at this. Need to speed things up.

To finish the Ohio trip. Had a nice dinner with Brad and Cathy at the Bartels. Found out without my language filter on, Rachel and I could talk to each other and the Yankees could not understand us. Good to know when the Second War of Northern Aggression breaks out.

Tom Bartel is the real deal, and a great addition to OU. His hiring is a major strenghtening of the program, and made a solid program even better. I have always been proud of my time in Athens, feel I earned a good degree, and going back, it may be better than ever. They have got a tremendous facility, good grads and undergrads, and just that go-go vibe good places have.

Kilns were finished, mixer was held at the Bartels on Thursday, large party at the Schwiegers on Friday where I was chained to the grill. Got to drop by Tony's for a beer, drove out to the old house in Albany, Lindley and I walked around the Quad and saw the new Baker Center. Perfect trip.

Kilns were unloaded, lots of great pots, bartering and swapping, wrapping and loading. Loaded the truck, and down the highway we went.

Next: " Bricks & Plates"

You've Got a What?

So, pull up in the lot outside dear old Seigfred Hall, catch up to Brad, and head to the kiln pad. Now it was nice when I was in school, but it is about three to four times bigger now. Probably seven or eight wood kilns of all types, salt, soda, gas, and a huge sculpture kiln. There is also a large storage and work area in the back complete with their own wood fired pizza oven. Yes, the height of decadence.

Kiln are being bricked up. Schedules are being discussed, and Brad and I get our old 6:00 AM slot. Kindling fires are lit, and a pleasant evening is spent meeting people with a cold Budweiser in hand, nibbling on a series of fresh fired pizzas. Nice start.

Up early and with hot coffee in hand (and all over legs and floorboard because Brad drives like a maniac and Athens has not paved a road since the Civil War), relieve old friend Amy Smith Rupp. I am on the cantenary crew with Bryce, and it fires like a dream. By noon and end of shift basically at fives top and bottom and go for the long soak. A little lunch and a rest and off to Happy Hour at Tony's, my old haunt.

More later.

Question: I have asked a few friends through email, so I will ask here, presuming anybody actually reads this crap. What magazines/periodicals do you read? Which has most info? Which has best articles? Which is best for potters?
I probably know the answers, but answers can be surprising sometimes.

Next: "Talking In Tongues"

Background

A little background.

Got a call from Schwieger, said a grad named Bryce Brisco was putting together a wood fire symposium in July. He invited Matt Hyleck, Missy McCormick, Lindsay Oesterritter, and a friend of mine, Josh Coppas. They showed up to make work, do a presentation/talk (which I missed and would have liked to seen) and the plan was to fire three wood kilns, a tube type, a Bourry box low arched chamber type, and a good sized cantenary. My job was to get work to them and show up to help with the firings.

Sent up some big plates, about eight flower bricks, and a few jugs for good measure. Drove up on a Tuesday through beautiful SE Virginia, and Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. had not been back to OU since the NCECA Pre-Conference of 1998, so I was interested to see the old place, our old hang outs ,and our house in Albany.

Tomorrow:"You've got a What?"

Sorry About That

I said I would not be an "every little thing" blogger, but I did not mean to be away for a month.

But what a month it was with a trip to Athens County for the Wood Symposium. Better than better, gooder than good, Ohio University continued to amaze. I am supposed to receive a wealth of pictures and will pass along the ones decent enough to publish.

More on Ohio tomorrow when I have time to write, also a synopsis of our upcoming fall season shows and fairs.

Fourth of July

Quick hello this morning. Holiday weekends are always busy.

Should have posted sooner, but Alison is doing her soap demo at Museum of Appalachia's Fourth of July Day. Stop by if you are in the area, Megan is with her.

Busy on all things, but since there was a break in the heat the other day Cale and I went to Max Patch for some world class kite flying. More later and thanks for the comments.