Monday 22 April 2013

soda firing

So my last firing at Red Lodge is over. finished on Sunday at 5 pm. it went very easily and smoothly over nearly 24 hours, but there was excitement and fireworks when the soda was thrown in, packed in paper burritos, Mexican style.
Once again Red Lodge is buried in snow, the last photo is the view from the studio last night, just as this snow storm was starting. It went on all night.





Saturday 20 April 2013

Last firing at Red Lodge

The last pots have been bisqued and glazed and slipped ready for a soda firing this weekend. My month at Red Lodge ends next Thursday.
Soda firing is a new process for me, but I have great hopes that it will suit my insect cups in particular, as a gentle soda glaze will bring out the drawings while not obliterating them.
I have tried several slips and different liner glazes, so that I can find out many things about the potential of soda firing for my work.
The dramatic snowfall of the past few days (photo 3) is a thing of the past, today was mild and sunny and the deer were out on the road to the studio this morning...









Monday 15 April 2013

Stormy weather

Yesterday, Saturday, stormy weather approached the studio in the afternoon, and soon a regular snowstorm was upon us (first photo). This morning all was peace and sunshine as I drove over the bridge on the way out to the studio. (Last photo) later today we will open the kiln....









Friday 12 April 2013

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Winter starts up again

Red Lodge has been hit by a spring snowstorm, and the roads have been like icy sheets
Work goes on in the studio where Peter (Sheldon) is preparing for a wood/salt firing due to start on Wednesday. he has a lot of work from his two month residency to fire. I have wadded a group of my small salt pots which can always find a space in the kiln in between Peter's large bulbous jars.
I finished the six insect cups, and they are already in a bisque firing.



















Sunday 7 April 2013

Dragonflies

Yesterday - Saturday, I started decorating the group of six cups - the first one with dragonflies, adult and nymph.
Then I was able to get a few pieces in a gas firing to cone 10 which David (Hiltner) and resident Meagan were packing, so that I will get an impression of how the clay fires before committing everything to the wood kiln.
Lastly, turkey of the day escorts his harem through Red Lodge.













Friday 5 April 2013

first work bisqued

Today I unpacked a small bisque kiln, which had fired overnight and was tightly packed with porcelain bowls and new small jugs.