Monday, August 31, 2009

Back to the Glazing Cycle : Vases today


We are in our glazing cycle now and working on the pieces we have thrown for the upcoming Potter's Market in Charlotte on September 12. I was finishing up glazing some other vases and loading our first kiln while Bruce was glazing the inside if the vases and finding the pedestals that fit onto the bottoms.

Friday, August 28, 2009

The Beginnings : Collaborative for the Celebration's Gala

We are working on lots of different activities in the pottery lately. We are busily getting ready for the Potters Market Invitational at the Mint Museum in Charlotte on September 12th. At the same time we are also working on our collaborative for this years Friday night Celebration of Seagrove Potters Gala auction at the Historic Lucks Cannery in Seagrove. Samantha threw these 4 tall vase forms and patterned them with red slip. After they are fired Bruce will draw his fossil fish and or serpent and then glaze them with a combination of our crystalline glazes. We will choose one to be auctioned off at the Celebration's Gala. The Gala begins at 6:00 pm on Friday evening, November 20th. For more information about buying tickets to the Gala and the Celebration of Seagrove Potters weekend, visit the Celebration's website. Hope to see all of you there. It will surely be a fun weekend for the family and holiday shopping.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Luck's Legacy: Pictures from 11th Annual Luck's Legacy

Above Sid Luck is talking with a visitor about her new purchase. They are at the entrance of his shop.

Bruce and I visited our neighbor Sid and Matthew Luck of Luck's Ware this past Saturday. We put Gloria in charge of watching the shop until we got back. Knowing that she planned to run errands in Southern Pines we were only planning to stay a hour. We were having so much fun that we ended up staying for close to three hours enjoying the kiln unloading, talking with the potters there, and listening to the bluegrass band Steel Magnolias.

I stepped into to his shop to see what he had available and found many pots lining the shelves and people perusing the available pots. We got there early ( around 9:10 am ). There were people there before us with others arriving steadily during the morning.



Sid invites all of the potters that used to work with him to join Luck's Legacy on this day. One of the invitees was Shirby Cagle who lives down the road from us towards Star. She brought some of her work from a kiln she had just unloaded. We bought an ornament from her. I like to collect Xmas ornaments and I have a fondness for old trucks. She made a silhouette of a truck that reminded her of her father's truck that he used for work at the Mountain View Cannery. On the Celebration of Seagrove Potters website, there is a brief history of the Luck's Cannery with an image of an old truck. I bet this is what Shirby was referring too.


Bruce talked with Chad Brown. He is also a neighbor down the road from us towards Star. He demonstrates on Saturdays at the North Carolina Pottery Center. Bruce bought a small jug from him. It is the reddish one right below Chad's hand.


Seagrove Potters Sherri and Randy James of Dixieland Pottery, on Cagle Loop Rd., were all set up and ready to go. They had made these face mugs special for the day. Sherri talked with us about her grandfather Lucky Owens and the grave markers that he made. She mentioned that one was in the collection of the Smithsonian.


Every once in awhile a photo like below, serendipitously happens. A visitor is talking with Matthew Luck. If you follow the man's arm pointing at Matthew, as Matthew's arm is stretched down to pet his dog, his dog is pointing straight at the man's leg, and then the man's body completes the frame of the boy sitting in the distance selling his cabin sculptures. Matthew is sporting his Celebration of Seagrove Potters t-shirt. The Celebration is coming up in November on the 21st and 22nd. Interested in attending the Gala on Friday night, the 20th of November? You can buy tickets online.


The Steel Magnolia's were playing traditional bluegrass in the morning. Very enjoyable. We purchased a cd from them for Gloria and Ed, the workers back at home. It was the least we could do.


I think they were enjoying themselves, likewise we were enjoying them.

As I wondered over to the groundhog kiln to check out the status and take a peak inside, I found the men working on the barbecue. Bruce and I missed the feast. We were already 1/2 hour past when we were supposed to be back, and I talked Bruce into staying longer so I could watch Sid and company unload the kiln.


At the kiln they turned on the light to get a better look at what was inside and had a fan blowing in to help cool down the kiln. People were starting to gather around the kiln in anticipation for the unloading of the pots inside.


Here is the inside if the groundhog kiln.


Jason Luck joined the family for the weekend. He is preparing to start unloading the kiln.


Jason is inside the kiln handing the newly fired ware to the young fellow wearing the green hat and then the piece is handed to Sid. Sid inspects the pieces and then hands the pottery off to some more workers so they can start cleaning the pots, and have them ready for the customers to choose from. Very exciting to see fresh hot pots come out of the kiln.


Jason takes a break from inside the kiln. It is hot and muggy (inside and outside of the kiln), but all and all the excitement takes precedence. Below he is talking about a multi face jug that he just brought out. It sounded to me like he wanted to hold on to it.


We had a good time and recommend to everyone to come out next year for Lucks Legacy number 12! Very fun for the family and a must for your to do list.


Friday, August 21, 2009

Drawn to Clay : Bruce Gholson

This Friday evening, is the opening to the "Drawn to Clay" exhibition at Claymakers in Durham. Here are the pieces that Bruce has selected to be in the show. Tracey Broome has a sneak preview on her blog of what can be seen at Claymakers, check them out here and here.

August 21 - October 10, 2009
705 Foster Street.
Durham, NC 27701
919-530-8355





Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Drawn to Clay : Samantha Henneke

The following works will be on display and for sale at Claymakers in Durham. The exhibition of 20 North Carolina Ceramics Artists are all part of "Drawn to Clay" curated by Ronan Peterson. These pieces are made and glazed by Samantha Henneke.

AUGUST 21 - OCTOBER 10, 2009

OPENING RECEPTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 6-9PM

705 Foster Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-530-8355








Monday, August 17, 2009

Drawn to Clay

Claymakers in Durham will be hosting an exhibition that both Bruce and I were invited to be included with 18 other North Carolina ceramics artist. The show opens this coming Friday, August 21 from 6-9 and will be on display until October 10, 2009.

ARTISTS: Jennifer Stas, Naomi Dalglish, Michael Hunt, Blaine Avery, Bruce Gholson, Samantha Heneke, Ronan Peterson, Jennifer Mecca, Ron Philbeck, Amy Sanders, Matt Kelleher, Shoko Teruyama, Susan Feagin, Corinne Fox, Kelly O'Briant, Carol Gentithes, Fred Johnston, Laura Korch, Michael Kline, and Gillian Parke.

"Drawn to Clay: Vessels Emblazoned" gathers together 20 of North Carolina's best ceramic artists. Each potter and ceramic artist in this show is known for their unique approach to enlivening the surfaces of their ceramic vessels with imagery. From the quick, energetic finger wipes evoking grasses blowing in the wind of Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish to the carefully considered and constructed kitsch decal images of Gillian Parke, this show promises to be a feast for the eyes and an event not to be missed. Techniques and content vary from artist to artist, but quality, creativity, and invigoration tie these 20 ceramicists together in this special exhibition here at Claymakers in downtown Durham.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Seagrove Potters working for Peace and Three Cups of Tea

This morning Bruce drove over to Beth's and Jon's, Cady Clay Works, to drop off some of our business cards. I forgot to take any over with our tea bowls that we donated to the Three Cups of Tea fundraiser. Bruce found the shop at Cady Clay bustling with excitement about the event. Beth was interviewed by NPR and very excited about the out pouring of positive attention this Seagrove Potters fundraiser is receiving. Many cups were being snatched up as Bruce was snapping photos.
There are plenty more cups to be purchased at Cady Clay and the participating potteries.

The vessels can be found at individual shops, these are: Whynot, Thomas, Old Gap, Jugtown, From the Ground Up, Caldwell-Hohl and Ben Owen Potteries

and a group of potteries have their work at Cady Clay Works: these are: Westmoore, Tom Gray, Old Gap, From the Ground Up, Dover, Dean & Martin, Bulldog and Cady Clay Works Potteries

To see more images of this Saturday morning: Visit Three Corners Clay Blog


Thanks Beth

“SEAGROVE POTTERS FOR PEACE – 200 CUPS OF TEA”

Can terrorism really be fought with weapons?
Does revenge ever end?

13 Seagrove Area Potteries have created special drinking vessels as a fundraiser for American Greg Mortenson, whose #1 NY Times Bestseller “Three Cups of Tea – One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time” explains his own efforts for peace.

Mortenson, through his Central Asia Institute (CAI), has built hundreds of schools in remote areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, where illiterate and impoverished children are prey to recruitment by terrorist organizations.

On Saturday, August 15, 200 teacups, mugs and tumblers will be offered for sale, with the full purchase price being donated to CAI. Many items are specially inscribed for this event. Copies of Mortenson’s book in adult, young adult and children’s versions will be for sale at several potteries.

Vessels by Whynot, Thomas, Old Gap, Jugtown, From the Ground Up, Caldwell-Hohl and Ben Owen Potteries will be for sale at the individual shops. Vessels by Westmoore, Tom Gray, Old Gap, From the Ground Up, Dover, Dean & Martin, Bulldog and Cady Clay Works Potteries will be for sale at Cady Clay Works. Items will be available exclusively at the shops until August 24, when any remaining vessels can be ordered by email or telephone.

More information about the individual potteries, as well as a request form for a free Seagrove Area map, can be found at www.discoverseagrove.com, or email seagrovepottersforpeace@yahoo.com.

Mortenson, who many believe will be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, will be the NC State Convocation speaker on August 17.

After a failed attempt to climb K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain, Mortenson got lost and wandered into a remote mountain village in Pakistan. The impoverished local people shared what little they had and nursed him back to health. He returned to the US, sold most of his belongings, lived in his car and tried to raise money to build the village a school. The skeptical villagers, who had heard promises from foreign climbers before, were astonished when he returned a year later with building materials.

In CAI’s publication, “Journey of Hope”, Karin Ronnow explains:
“Ultimately, most Pakistanis and Afghans want peace. They want working democracy. They want more and better-paying jobs, good roads, clean drinking water and food to eat. They are fed up with violence and they want to get on with living their lives.
And they know a better future for their children starts with education.”

More information can be found at CAI’s website, www.ikat.org, or www.penniesforpeace.org, an educational fundraising program for schoolchildren of all ages.

Potter Beth Gore of Cady Clay Works urges everyone, of all beliefs, to read “Three Cups of Tea”. “It’s obvious that we, as Americans, are woefully uninformed about the people, beliefs and way of life in these areas of military conflict.”

“Three Cups of Tea is one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time … (and) proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world.”
- Tom Brokaw, who made the first $100 donation to Mortenson’s effort in 1993.

- Beth Gore, Cady Clay Works, seagrovepottersforpeace@yahoo.com.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Seagrove Potters For Peace : 200 Cups

I am getting ready to take Bulldog Pottery cups over to Cady Clay Works this afternoon to participate in the cup sale that starts this coming Saturday. I have chosen to have the cups be part of the display over at Beth and John's (Cady Clay Works).
It has been a long time, over three years, since I have glazed my pottery using my colors. It feels good to see the pretty colors again. I am happy and relieved with the results. A lot of the buckets of glaze had thickened and I had forgotten about some of the intricies of using the clear and semi matt glazes. I plan on glazing this way for the upcoming Potters Market in Charlotte.
A few newspapers have picked up the story. Here are links to the three of them.

Courier Tribune, Asheboro
News and Record, Greensboro
The Pilot, Southern Pines/Pinehurst

I signed the bottom 3 "image of a cup" T . This is short for Three cups of Tea, the name of the book by Greg Mortenson that Beth Gore read, the impetus for her idea.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Pitcher Plant Discovery

A new species of giant carnivorous plant has been discovered in the highlands of the central Philippines.
Large enough to eat a rat!
Read More at BBC Earth News

We have been following Curious Expediations blog and we follow their twitter as well. They twittered about the pitcher plant discovery. We like looking at the pitcher plant as an image I and draw them onto my glaze paintings. If I run across any of my images in my archive we will post them.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Vase A Day : Last One

Porcelain Vase thrown by Bruce Gholson
Glazes with flowing molybdenum crystalline glazes ( not as many crystals on this one)
25" x 10.25"

Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Vase A Day : Second to Last One!

Porcelain Vase thrown by Samantha Henneke
Glazes with molybdenum crystalline glazes
22" x 9"


Saturday, August 1, 2009

A Vase a Day

Porcelain Vase by Samantha Henneke
Glazed with flowing molybdenum crystalline glazes
23" x 8.75"