Feet and the bottom of things on Pots

   

If I am working on a large platter, I will throw a round foot ring or carve out a round foot ring and alter it.  The Top photo is one way to alter a foot on a platter or even a small pot.  The “TIP” is I use a rolling pin to “squish” down the round foot and add a different look to my piece.

Since I am still working with that “horsey” theme, I am adding horse stamps to my mugs on the bottom as well.

   

I am also adding that “leather look” and feel with punch marks in my pots and platters.  More detail this year and looking towards how my glazes will pull on texture.

Platters with a Western Theme

  Karen and Dodd Stone (Karen an amazing Grand Prix Jumper   rider and her husband an amazing Shoer) gave me a budget of $100.00 and said “create” something.  Hummmmm  now that’s cool.  SO I’m thinking something they can both use and display for everyone to see.  Needs to be well “horsey” and something about the both of them. . . SO this platter is what I have come up with so far.  It will just fit in my kiln, barely, and has little legs which give it a nice bowl shape and it’s oval as well.

Staying with this Platter/Western/Horsey theme I than came up with well what else a “Wagon Wheel” platter.

   It sits up off the table nicely with a rather large ringed foot and the inside of the foot ring is carved out.  The details (hard to see sorry) are that of a wagon wheel and such.  Hummmmm

New Glaze for 2009 whooo hoooo

SOLD 12/28/2008

   

I have some Horse venues coming up and some clients who like HORSE POTTERY.  SO I have been searching for a glaze that will look western and well “horsey” if there is such a word.  This is what I have come up with so far and it’s VERY different than anything I did in 2008!  YIPPY FOR ME!

I went to deliver an order for Mary Corson this afternoon and brought along a few other pieces.  Mary had a special order for Dec 30, 2008 so I was early and she ended up buying a few more items along with MY NEW 2009 work!  Whew talk about hot out of the KILN!

Thank you Mary, hope you enjoy the pottery!

Gallery vs Price List

Well it’s almost 2009 and we have a weird Economy.   I am hopeful for 2009 but worried as well.  I do not want to be “starving artist” in 2009 or starving anything for that matter <G>.

Gallery vs Price List is my currect Topic.  What is an Art Gallery anyway?

What is an art gallery? Art galleries are venues where various forms of art and works of various artists are displayed to public. Among the various forms of art like photography, sculpture, art illustrations, hand loom etc. showcasing of paintings are common. The prime objective of art gallery is to promote art and inspire the young artists.

Art galleries can be regarded as the best place for art lovers and artists to acquire knowledge related to art. Both the species can share their interest and concentrate in promoting art among the public. In the art galleries, various works of admired artists are displayed and are preserved for the next generation. The collection of art galleries are rapidly changing. Moreover, the tradition of showcasing art has been shifted from venues to online. Artists and art aficionados can upload their work online and can send it to their friends through emails and e-cards. The art gallery is classified into private and public galleries. The public galleries display permanent collection of art. Whereas, private galleries carry the private-owned for profit-motive and sale works of art.

So does Functional Pottery belong in an Art Gallery?  Or better yet does it Sell?  Does Functional Pottery sell better in a Studio setting?  In a Store?  With a price List?

These are questions I have for 2009 and I am starting out with a PRICE LIST instead of a Gallery in my blog.  Hummmmm something to ponder!

Soup or Chocolate cake (DIET) Hummmmmm

This is one the simplest desserts to make, nice and dense, makes 2 servings at around 6 grams carbs per serving.

I found a version of the 5-minute cake and this is 3 minutes.  It’s a LOW CARB treat and good for taming the diabeastie!

3 Minute Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
1/4C Almond flour
2 T Cocoa Powder
1/4 t Baking Powder
5 packets of Splenda 5 (3 T + 1 t)
2 T Melted Butter(or sour cream or Virgin coconut oil) I use olive oil and it works just fine.
1 T Water (or DaVinci’s Syrup- any flavor-Hazlenut is great!)
1 Egg

Cooking Instructions:

Mix everything in a 2 cup glass measuring Pyrex(or one of my POTS) and cover with plastic wrap. Cut a small slit in the center of the wrap to vent. Pop in the microwave for 1-3 minutes max(check consistency after 1 min,, should look dryish). No greasing of the Pyrex cup is needed. Mine plopped right out. Let cool completely or eat it hot!

Serving Suggestions:
Serve topped with a cream cheese icing or a dollop of heavy cream whipped.

Enjoy! This cake is super easy and super yummy! 6 carbs for the entire recipe

I’ve also tweaked this and made it a Chocolate coconut one by adding in 2-3 tablespoons of shredded unsweetened coconut.

Equestrian Pottery

 New for 2009 will be some Equestrian Pottery.  There are several circuits for Hunter Jumper Riders coming up in the next few months and this “theme” is something dear to my heart.

         

Silhouettes of hunter jumper horses and riders are something I will be working in clay with this next year.  I started with transfers on to clay last year with some designs, and used a stamp I made later on in clay.  I have always been fascinated with horses, my whole life, and they seem to be coming out subtle in my clay.

My focus for 2008 has been on getting good cone^6 functional glazes and my craftsmanship of pottery forms.  This NEW YEAR, 2009, I will begin expanding that and focusing on what is dear to me and that is the horse and the competitor relationship between horse and rider.

  I like the “snap” shot of horse and rider and what makes the team.  Like in this photo, it’s the horses’ focus and the rider’s “HANDS” that make for a winning team.  Sometimes, it’s just the horse, sometimes it’s just the rider, or a combo of horse and rider’s legs,etc.  Very Interesting to me!

  I will be working with Words and Images in my pottery this NEW YEAR hummmmmm!

Work for a Potter in Denver Colorado

I received an email from Justin at Gilmore Construction.  He is having a tuff time matching glazed bricks to a Job and his Client is the City of Denver.  I referred him to Mile High Ceramics in Denver but if anyone else is interested in helping Justin, please email him and tell him I sent you!  I also posted his plea on Clayart!

On Tue, Dec 23, 2008 at 3:08 PM, Justin <jtgilmore@gilmorecc.com> wrote:

My name is Justin and I have ran into a problem.  I do construction work and I am repairing a building that has glazed brick on it.  They no longer make the brick and the owner (City of Denver) would like for the brick to be put back to match as close as possible.  There are about 130 brick which is divided into 3 different colors.  Do you know of anyone that can help me?  I have been looking for days for just a place to glaze the brick at and have had no success.   I would greatly appreciate your expertise in any way that I can fix this problem.  Thank you.

Justin Gilmore                   Gilmore Construction

Justin, I  Hope that helps you and if you need anything else just email me! Happy Holidays!

Quick Peek. . .

Karen and Dodd Stone have placed an order for pottery this Christmas.  Here’s a sneak peek so far.

   

Four Stacking SOUP BOWLS with little handles when the soup is hot or you need to re warm it in the microwave.  I found the handles help you hand the soup bowls better when there is something HOT inside.

This is my SIGNATURE Casserole dish with the flowered handles.  Has been popular this Holiday Season.  The shape is unique as a rectangular shape with a lid.

 

A Horsey Platter and you’ll have to wait and see how I glaze this one.  The mugs are done along with cracker dish, And round serving tray,etc.  All will be glazed and ready by Sunday !  Thanks Karen and Dodd!

Brrrrrrr. . .it had to Happen

Denver, CO

Rest Of Tonight: Snow and areas of blowing snow. Snow accumulation of 1 to 4 inches. Lows around 5. North winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph late evening and overnight.

Sunday: Snow in the morning…Then a chance of snow in the afternoon. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches. Total snow accumulation 2 to 6 inches. Highs around 10. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph in the morning then becoming light.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. A 10 percent chance of snow in the evening. Lows around 2 below.

It’s 5:43AM  and very very very COLD.  It had to happen sooner and in my case, later,the temperature drops and the GARAGE is no longer a cozy work environment for clay.  Current Temp is 5*F  but it feels like -12*  anything past freezing is COLD to me.

That means my glazes finally have to come into my studio for the next few months.  Too cold to keep them in Garage and risk damage or freezing, Along with my clay.

I will still mix my glazes in the garage and chemicals will still be stored there, but the glaze-full buckets will now be inside my closet in my studio.

   

I put up shelves behind the door, in an unused space and they actually work well for drying, no air flow with door in front and plastic sheet coming down from top shelf.  The rest of my studio is looking ,well, SQUISHED.  I used to feel spacious in there but now, it’s a tight fit.  Still, I’m not complaining, it’s heated <G>.

 

Custom Pottery

Custom Pottery has probably been around awhile but this Christmas (2008) it appears in Vogue!

   

Lid of large Casserole Dish for Colorado Equestrian Club out of Destiny Ranch.  Lee Dudley is heading this program up!  Well what’s a good riding program without a Large Casserole Dish?  hummmmm?

Savoy Stables off titan road needs a Large Casserole Dish that fits into their extremely Posh lounge!

   

Along with these large Casserole Dishes are little “cute” queso pots.  In case there needs to be something smaller warmed up at the table.  Looks like Andrews, Savoys,Dominque’s Kitchen, Carol and Herb all will have custom pots this Christmas!