Saturday, September 21, 2013

Pottery Mugs and Wabi Sabi


Bruce Gholson, Large Mug, Bulldog Pottery, Seagrove, North Carolina

Our recent pottery series, that we made and finished in our studio just before the Mint's PMI has us really excited.  We are  contemplating the results, looking, and thinking about what is possible next. We are intrigued by the effects we are getting by layering glazes and slips onto red clay. Where will we be able to take some of what Bruce has discovered, and some of what Samantha has brought back from our glaze archive? This is a good question, and one that we converse about daily.

Our pottery cycle frequently hits a crescendo, and thankfully we come back down to working more sanely in arpeggios.  Working in the studio making pottery from day to day is a wonderful experience, then a deadline comes along.  Boom the adrenaline pops in and final decisions need to be made. This is one of the balancing acts a full-time potter needs to make, how many deadlines to put on the calendar and how close to have them together to stay sane and healthy.

Bruce made these mugs out of red clay and has played around with layering glazes along with slips.  A few years ago at the North Carolina Potters Conference, Jack Troy mentioned a book called Wabi Sabi. We purchased the book after the conference and have recently bought another book about Wabi Sabi Painting. Wabi Sabi defined (from Wiki) - Wabi-sabi represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".  Our interpretation from this is how to work with the materials in a more casual and playful way and respond to the results as they develop.

Which actually reminds me of another book series by Umberto Eco. Two of them that we have is on the "History of Beauty"and another called "On Ugliness". So much to read out there, how lucky are we!  Especially to have the internet to build our library.  We seem to get to a bookstore, at most, every two months living out here in the countryside, so we frequently buy books online.  We love books!

Bruce Gholson, Large Mug, side 2,  Bulldog Pottery, Seagrove, North Carolina

Bruce made these two, of the many mugs that we took to the Potters Market Invitational in Charlotte a couple of weeks ago. Both mugs sold to the same person that said she couldn't choose between them so she decided to buy both.  It is great that they get to stay together, and that she appreciated the experimental fun they exemplified.

Bruce Gholson, Large Mug, Bulldog Pottery, Seagrove, North Carolina

This is the same mug.  We love the 3 dimensionality of pottery for its potential of slip and glaze painting that can be evolving as it wraps around the form.  Exploring the potential of the materials and moving and changing them across the surface of the piece. 
Bruce Gholson, Large Mug, side2, Bulldog Pottery, Seagrove, North Carolina

This is my image of the morning, September 21, "Into the Earth", for day 252 of my 365 day project.  This is the first photo that I have actually taken something and moved it from where I found it. I first saw this beautiful autumn leaf in the grass and clover.  I moved it a few feet away onto the dirt and liked the contrast of the color to the brown and grey hues. To see more of my images from my 365 day project visit our Bulldog Pottery Flickr page.

"Into the Earth" Image by Samantha Henneke and title by Bruce Gholson, Seagrove, NC


Tuesday, September 17, 2013

ArtOberfest at the Arts Council of Moore County in Southern Pines


Seagrove Potters particitpate in ArtOberfest, Campbell House, Southern Pines, NC


We will be part of this years fundraiser "ArtOberfest" for the Arts Council of Moore County
October 12, 2013
5:30pm - 7:30 pm
Campbell House Galleries
482 East Connecticut Avenue
Arts Council of Moore County
Southern Pines, NC


There are 10 Seagrove Potters participating in this fun and delicious fundraiser. The Seagrove Potters have created a wonderful selection of ale mugs from which you may choose as a keepsake, at ArtOberfest. 

Featured during the event will be a tasting of fine beer from three brewers- Four Saints, Carolina Brewing, Foothills Brewing- along with delicious pub fare from several of the area’s best chefs, restaurants and caterers. To top the event off, enjoy live music by The Java Mules. 

TICKETS:  $40 ACMC members / $45 Nonmembers (must be 21 years or older)
Purchase your tickets now at Campbell House Galleries or call 910-692-ARTS (2787).
Ticket includes your choice of a handmade pottery ale mug, beer samples, food and live music.
Hurry to get your tickets now, because space is very limited.

We especially want to thank the sponsors, potters, restaurants, chefs, and caterers for making this event possible. Here is the complete list of these wonderful folks.




Seagrove Potters participate in ArtOberfest, Campbell House, Southern Pines, NC


Samantha's Steins
Samantha Henneke's Steins for ArtOberfest, Campbell House, Southern Pines, NC

I made steins glazed with some colorful glazed and Bruce glazed his with his sea foam and brown glaze.  

Bruce's Steins

Bruce Gholson's Steins for ArtOberfest, Campbell House, Southern Pines, NC




Friday, September 13, 2013

Bulldog Pottery Shop Open



Gloria and Ed are watching the shop  while Bruce and I are at the beach for the weekend. This year we have been practicing taking a little rest and relaxation.  We've always gone from one project straight into the next project, and feel like we need to add in a little R&R into our cycle.  Awesomeness Gloria and Ed will watch our shop while we are away for three days. 

We want to thank Ed and Gloria for welcoming all of the pottery customers that visit us in Seagrove, NC.

 

And our picture of the day...
"Beach Accessories"

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Where the Leaf Fell Down


Today is my 242 photo of the year. This has been a good project for me and I feel it has become a habit now.  A good habit.  I think it has also been good for Bruce too. He has been helping me to title the photographs.  Every morning I try to walk in a different direction somewhere on our property. This morning's picture was one that I took after a common occurrence that happens during this time of year. The coincidence of a leaf falling in front of me when I was about to take a step. This morning I was walking around our smaller pond watching the frogs jump into the water.  I thought I would take a few steps past the dam and walk into the woods.  After about three or four steps a leaf fell from a tree above right where I was just about to walk.  I was going to continue walking to find my picture when it occurred to me to look down and take a picture of where the leaf fell.  When I share this picture on Flickr I write the date to remind me of when I took it.  And then I noticed that today is September 11. I got shivers up and down my spine thinking about the title of my picture and what today is.  I just want to say that our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone that was effected by 9/11. Something that will never be forgotten.