More Maggots and Jugs

This is one of the bowls inspired by Neolithic maggot decorated wares, this was thrown using stoneware clay, it has been raw glazed internally and is drying out ready for firing in the wood fired kiln. This is one of a couple of dozen. I am very happy with how they turned out, with almost rounded bases and a distinctive repeated motif, made by impressing the clay with coiled rope.

I have also made a batch of jugs and "costrels" for wood firing. The costrels are inspired by the Verwood Pottery versions, also known as Owls because of the ear-like lugs. They were all purpose storage vessels, taken to the fields with small beer during harvest time. I prefer peddling them as jars that wise old women (witches) used to store their potions!
I like to think I am getting better at handles these days, but the jugs are still a bit on the heavy side, although I like that in a functional jug. These I think will be sold as cider jugs, (or for a couple of extra quid as a "Cyder Flagon"!), some of the shapes are also copied from the Verwood Potteries, although country potteries everywhere tended to produce this sort of jug, with a fat belly and narrow neck. They are nice and stable and easy to carry around because the centre of gravity can be almost below the point of lifting on the handle close to the top of the pot.

Maggot Decoration

I am currently working on a commission for some replicas of Neolithic bowls, which are coming together fairly well now. They are about 20cm diameter.
I have to do some experimenting to get the "Maggot" decoration to look right. This is made by impressing a cord into the softish clay to leave a short twisted mark. But to get the twist into a tight spiral the cord is wrapped round a thin central core.
There is also a knack to getting the clay soft enough to take the impression, but stiff enough to hold its shape while decorating it.

Watch this space for some images when done!

I have not really appreciated the beauty of most Neolithic pots before, I've made some "Grooved Ware" which tend to be buckets with scratches and dents on, but these are rounded bottom bowls with an interesting rim and the lines of vertical maggot decoration.
I think I may try throwing some modern versions for the next wood firing, which is coming up soon.

I have enjoyed my holiday from pottery over the Easter break, spending time with family and the snails in my vegetable patch!

We went to the opening of the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre recently, a chance for my wife to see the "piles of rubbish or" display of my replica pots. All very good for the ego of a struggling experimental potter!

Making Light Work

So, I've been playing with a new bit of software "Lightworks" to edit video, here is my first rough of me throwing a pasta bowl. There is no soundtrack yet and it might be a bit speeded up (to minimise the boredom factor!). We will see if this is worth developing!

Meanwhile the Dorset Art Weeks proof for the Upwey Potters entry has arrived, much less text than we had submitted, but perhaps all the better for having bigger images. If you click on the image below it should pop up a larger version.

Off To Wales

These black burnished wares are due to head for a Welsh museum - as soon as I can get them blackened. That is a task I have been putting off because of the stormy weather.
Planning still proceeding for this year's activities. Several interesting gigs are coming along.

Still not tackled the studio clearing up (see above excuse!)

50 Shades of Brown

Taking some time to plan ahead for 2014's activities - trying to sort out what is worth putting some effort into and what I should back away from.
The factors are sometimes a bit hidden, but enjoyment of doing the task has to be high on the priority list.
I've had a few interesting enquiries recently about my replicas of ancient pottery, that is certainly one avenue that I will be striding confidently along!
My studio store needs an overdue clean out - to remove some of the accumulated junk. Then a sort out of the remaining pottery stocks. A chance to reappraise my life's work! An opportunity to get rid of all the things that I should never have kept!
Some of the pottery will feature in my installation in April's "Could Have Fooled Me V", with a subtitle of "50 shades of Brown". This is our collective take on Contemporary Art, an enjoyable sideways look at how art is produced, described and perceived. http://www.artseeker.co.uk/activity/could+have+fooled+me+v

Resolved and resolute

And so 2014 begins....
A few days are needed to do some planning for the year's activities, if I had a resolution it would be to be better prepared and ready for action as the events come around.
The Ancient Wessex Network should be going from strength to strength, we are starting to get more invitations to events and people are valuing our services.
The Dorset Pottery Group is undergoing a make-over - hopefully some more members will get involved in managing the activities.
The Upwey Potters are doing Dorset Art Weeks again, the image is the one I selected for the DAW guide, I hope that draws folk in!
My pottery classes are fully booked, with a few new faces and still a waiting list, which is healthy for me. I am looking forward to stretching some of the class members a bit more, getting them to learn a few more techniques.
I spent some of yesterday covering "Woden" with a large plastic sheet, securely tied down to keep the rain off it - we will not be firing this wood fuelled kiln for a couple of months.

End of 2013

This is likely to be the last posting for this year, as I am closing down for a couple of weeks and/or will have nothing to say of any interest!
Looking forward to 2014, with the prospect of Could Have Fooled Me V and the Dorset Art Weeks.