tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post6947677071684747851..comments2024-03-22T17:41:17.625+13:00Comments on Peter's Pottery: Warning by the Surgeon General... The following is a tale of work, work, and toil, and may disturb any idealism. Actually potting can still be fun!Peterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03078608554226394069noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-14872128079644115442009-05-12T12:29:00.000+12:002009-05-12T12:29:00.000+12:00Hello Jim, Doug, Linda, and Jewels, really nice to...Hello Jim, Doug, Linda, and Jewels, really nice to hear from you all. Thanks to all of you for your comments they are much appreciated and help me feel less remote down here. <br /><br />We have just got back from Timaru where I dropped some pots off for an exhibition. I also managed to pick up some second hand kiln shelves at the Insulator Factory at Temuka where they manufacture ceramic insulators for electricity pylons. I simply can't afford new kiln shelves, they are horrendously expensive in NZ, and not always easy to get the sizes that one needs, so it is a godsend to be able to find some second hand. <br /><br />Doing commissions is always a great learning exercise for me. I usually end up learning new skills. It is difficult at this time of year though, because the studio is so cold and it is really hard to get work to dry. So desperate measures are called for when the time frame is short. I have to take on almost anything at the moment though as selling work is very difficult and slow. Hunger is a great motivator. <br /><br />I'll put some chun recipes on my site if you would like them, they are just things I have found through experimenting. Most of them use a tenmoko type underglaze with a chun type glaze over the top. That combination does work well in oxidation as well as in reduction, which is a big help when restricted to using an electric kiln.<br /><br />The Aigantighe is a good provincial public gallery. The permanent collection reminds me a bit of the sort that you would see at a stately home in England (and I mean that nicely). The smaller public galleries, like the Aigantighe, do a great job in New Zealand of presenting lively contemporary shows whilst still still supporting their local communities and emerging artists (The Forrester Gallery in Oamaru gave me a lot of support when I was developing as a painter).<br />Best Wishes to you all, PeterPeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03078608554226394069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-46860593316978312452009-05-12T08:30:00.000+12:002009-05-12T08:30:00.000+12:00The witty banter between you, Patti and Pat leaves...The witty banter between you, Patti and Pat leaves me in stitches! <br /><br />You have been busy! This will be my first attempt at being a full time potter and looking at all the hours you and the other potters put in makes me wonder if I will be that disciplined. I have a feeling my work ethic will coincide with how hungry I am. <br /> <br />I love the whimsical cat and mouse and the way the cat’s shape complements the shape of the mug. The rich colors you are getting with the chun glaze are beautiful. <br />The Aigantighe looks like a prestigious place to exhibit your work. Way to go! Looking forward to seeing the teapot. : )SunShinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06491384969589130647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-81258037312818751482009-05-11T21:22:00.000+12:002009-05-11T21:22:00.000+12:00Short commissions, I don't think I would like that...Short commissions, I don't think I would like that, but I guess we do what we have to. I didn't realize your chun was oxidation; it is so very beautiful. Ginger is so cute and your new mugs are great.Linda Starrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04364078667554676592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-28214608876570469802009-05-11T07:26:00.000+12:002009-05-11T07:26:00.000+12:00Hi Peter, I enjoyed this post, good to hear what y...Hi Peter, I enjoyed this post, good to hear what you've been up to.doug Fitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12413690733976558551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-50252041557845160242009-05-11T01:47:00.000+12:002009-05-11T01:47:00.000+12:00mama mia... hang in there, i never used the microw...mama mia... hang in there, i never used the microwave but have set my computerized kiln on 190 for 2 hours and it works welljim gottusohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16579378787685110338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-34906957712725315662009-05-10T07:54:00.000+12:002009-05-10T07:54:00.000+12:00Hello Pat and Patti,
Lovely to hear from you both....Hello Pat and Patti,<br />Lovely to hear from you both. I could do with some of that Arkansas heat down here. As I write this hail falling outside is sounding like a pan of pop corn coming up to temperature! I had been feeling smug about the weather this weekend as we seemed to have escaped the winter storm that was promised us for Friday, but.... good things come to those that wait! <br /><br />I must put some links on my site to some great demonstrations of making pots that some potters have kindly put on the net. You both might enjoy them. Whilst I think about it, Nic Collins has some magical ones, try http://www.nic-collins.co.uk/onlineexhibition.htm He has some wonderful photos of different stages of making a pot, and some videos too.<br /><br />It's quite amusing that Dunedin is about as far from London as it is possible to go. I should be thankful that in 1976, when my parents decided to emigrate from England to NZ, travel to the moon was not yet a regular thing... otherwise, we probably would have ended up there!<br /><br />I'm off to pack some pots for an exhibition,<br />Best Wishes, PeterPeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03078608554226394069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-44659661744446742402009-05-10T05:36:00.000+12:002009-05-10T05:36:00.000+12:00My image of throwing pots comes from the movie Gho...My image of throwing pots comes from the movie Ghost. Didn't know work was involved.Kills the glamour a bit.<br />Just love the cat mugs and know the model was pleased. <br />So glad Ginger is doing well from the fight. Guess we should have seen the other cat to know if Ginger won or lost.<br />Your Mom does great rug work. Guess that is where you got your artistic bent.Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3580639918656230427.post-60065085337997763612009-05-09T11:14:00.000+12:002009-05-09T11:14:00.000+12:00I very much enjoyed your tale of toil, and I absol...I very much enjoyed your tale of toil, and I absolutely love the cat mugs! The little mouse is a delightful addition to the design. The Chun glazed bowl that you pictured is beautiful; I love the blend of colors. <br /><br />What I understand about throwing pots and other pieces, and the glazing and firing processes could be written on the point of a pin with room left over for angels to dance. Be that as it may, there are very few things in life that I don't find interesting, and I enjoyed reading about the efforts it takes to produce marketable pieces.<br /><br />I also enjoyed the nice photo of Dunedin, which location, I discovered through online inquiry, is the farthest away spot on the entire earth from London. I was delighted to add that fact to my stash of trivia.<br /><br />The ginger cat looks very comfy on your mother's gorgeous hooked rug. I'm glad to know that the cat-that-is-not-your-cat is improved.<br /><br />Thanks for your visit to my post and your comments. I can imagine your and your sister's delight in finding real grass to play in after living in the concrete jungle. Children and Nature seem to be made for each other.<br /><br />Wishing you a peaceful weekend.Pat - Arkansashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11623638376731374600noreply@blogger.com