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

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

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"

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.

Cousins in Clay in the Mountains

Cousins in Clay

Cousins in Clay August 24 - 25, 2013

Michael Kline Pottery

Bakersville, NC

Our guest artists are Rick Hensley and Donna Polseno from Floyd, Va

Sat 10-5

Sun 10-4

Potters Potluck on Sunday All Welcome

We are preparing for the next Cousins in Clay coming up in one week. The end of the summer Cousins event takes place at Michael Kline's Pottery on top of a beautiful NC Mountain top.  Rick and Donna will be our special pottery guests.  They live and make their pottery in Floyd, VA.  They create wonderful pots and this will be a great time to add to your collection.

We are looking forward to spending the weekend with Michael and his family, Rick and Donna, and all the good people out in the western part of NC. 

I, Samantha, have been taking a picture a day, everyday since January 13. This is my "365 day project" inspired by Noah Scalin. It has been awhile since I have updated my blog page of these images (at the right hand side of this blog post), but the images are posted each day on my Instagram, and our social sites Twitter, Flickr, and Tumblr. And then I play catch up on Pinterest, and soon this blog.  I have enjoyed the process of taking a picture every morning. It has become routine and a habit now.  When I come back from my picture hunt in the mornings, Bruce helps me with the title.   I will talk a bit more about this in future posts. I would like to get back into the habit of blogging in the weeks to come. I have taken a little break and focused on some other things. This summer has been a full one for us.

Today's image titled is "Grinches Admire Tigridia"  

"Grinches Admire Tigridia"

Insect on Crimson Seat

Summer has arrived.  

We are looking forward to yummy vegatables and plenty of insects to take pictures of in the garden.

We started to put some images of Cousins in Clay on our facebook page in our Cousins in Clay Seagrove 2013 Photo Album. We had a wonderful time at this year's Cousins in Clay and we want to thank everyone for coming out to enjoy the weekend with us. The weekend really felt good, happy, and wonderful.

Since Cousins, Bruce and I have been shipping pottery to folks around the U.S., managing the pottery shop, cleaning up after the big weekend, a little organizing, and getting our feet on the ground for the rest of the year.

Stay tuned for some images of Cousins in Clay weekend and some of the pieces we had for the show.

Fossil Fish Flask... The last...

This is the last fossil fish flask being glazed for "Cousins in Clay" this weekend. We unload new pottery tomorrow that will be ready for the Saturday opening at 10:00 am. Come on out to meet David MacDonald, Jack Troy, and Michael Kline this weekend at Bulldog Pottery.

Blast Off!

Bruce Gholson arranging the cones in the kiln

Here we go! We have a klin firing as I write this. We will work on one more electric kiln firing between now and Wednesday.  Then to hit the ground running getting ready for our "Cousins" event. Every year we hit a crescendo and then its party time! Our guests David MacDonald, Jack Troy, and Michael Kline will arrive with their pottery for all of us to enjoy! What piece or pieces will you take home with you? It will be a fun weekend. There is no doubt about it.

Please join us for our 5th Annual "Cousins in Clay" June 1-2, 2013.  The sale begins at 10:00am and  Chronis Pou Vasilou will be playing his bazouki shortly after. We will have a few goodies to nibble on and then at 3:00 pm we will roll out the wheels to have a demonstration by Michael Kline and Bruce Gholson.
On Sunday there will be a Potters Potluck at 12:00 with Will McCanless playing his banjo. Jack Troy will read some of his poetry around 1:30ish after lunch.

We will look forward to seeing you here!

A friend on facebook commented that Bruce seems like he is working all the time.  I replied "That is a good thing!" Can't have him being idle can we?

Bruce Gholson stacking the first layer of the gas kiln

Bruce Gholson choosing the right height for the shelf level

Bruce Gholson glazing one of his new bowl forms

Samantha Henneke glazing an ant porcelain painting

Bruce Gholson glazing four more shino mugs

and hogging the limelight.

Making Pottery in the Bulldog Studio

Bruce Attaching a Handle onto his Pitcher

We have been working steadily here at Bulldog Pottery. Many pots made, now to get them dry and load them into the kiln for the first firing stage, that we call bisque.  This stage of the process hardens the pottery which makes it more durable to apply the glazes.

It always amazes us whenever going through the cycle of making just how time consuming "making" is.  We rarely ever time ourselves. We just work until we can't work anymore, and we get as much done as we can in the time frame that we have.  We have a open shop for the public here at our place in Seagrove and we talk with people everyday day throughout the year about pottery and life.  It is really enjoyable, we meet lots of great people.  We often get asked,  "How long did it take to make that cup... or that jar or that vase"?  This is a good question and a hard one to answer, and also a question we ask ourselves as well.  We rarely time ourselves and when we do I usually say I am not going to do that again (mostly because we really don't want to know). We make our work through serial processes, and that series can have us going through the process for 1.5 months - 2 months, depending on studio and life scheduling. Our schedule is constantly changing to adapt to what is happening- in the shop, studio, community, and events coming up.  

Anyway, we usually answer this question by saying it is a process, we work in a serial fashion and it takes us 1.5 to 2 months to see a body of work through to completion. I still don't think that nails it because there are so many other things that go on in the life of a full-time studio potter.  Glaze preparation, clay preparation, clay reprocessing, equipment maintenance, ......, and then there is creative maintenance.  Glaze designing and testing, new forms, new images, new processes,....Egads!  We must be pottery geeks!

We are getting ready for "Cousins in Clay", it is around the corner and we have lots of glazing ahead of us. 

Please join us for our annual pottery weekend event. We are really excited to have David MacDonald, Jack Troy, and Michael Kline here, with their wonderful pottery. There will be music on both days, some nibbles, a Saturday demo by Bruce and Michael, Potters Potluck at noon on Sunday, and Jack Troy will read some of his poems on Sunday after lunch.

See you Soon!

"Cousins in Clay" - June 1-2, 2013 - at Bulldog Pottery, in Seagrove, North Carolina more details at Cousins in Clay Website.

Samantha's Altered Drinking Cups

Bruce Smoothing out a Handle on his Mug

Samantha Decorating a Vase with Insect Imagery

Bruce Throwing Porclain Mugs

Samantha's Covered Jars Awaiting Knobs

Samantha Designing the Knobs to the Covered Jars

I Know it is Here Somewhere

Bruce Gholson searching for a specific tool

Bruce has a wonderful assortment of tools that he has made and acquired through his forty years of pottery making. He has made ribs for just the right curve and cut-off sticks for the bottom of pots.  The black metal ribs always seem to hide themselves so he made these cool wood block holders for them.  We can become attached to a particular tool and I know that when I am looking for my rib that I really like to use and it has moved itself, throwing just isn't right until that tool is found. Bruce makes me tools too. I am very happy when he hands me over a new something. I have lost my tiny rib that I love, and I miss it dearly. I use it to make the lid's flange for my covered jars and it has been quite awhile since I have had it (hint hint).  

We are trying to get through a couple of different cycles this month. We will be loading and firing our gas kiln with our Moka glaze pottery and I will be working on a series of porcelain glaze paintings and Bruce will be decorating with his fossil fish image on red clay.

Bruce Gholson working on his pitcher's handle

Bruce Gholson throwing cups

Bruce attaching the handle to his pitcher

I fought the claw

Samantha making mugs, Seagrove, NC

.....and the claw won.  I bought this t-shirt when we went to Maine 4 years ago.  We had an awesome time and ate lots of lobsters for dinner and oyster stew for lunch. 

We are busy in the studio making functional pottery for the Moka glaze kiln and more pieces for our flowing glaze kiln too. I have a few more days to go for the Moka glaze, probably take me the rest of the week to finish up and decorate the thrown pieces with dotted patterns.  Cousins in Clay is the weekend of June 1 and 2 this year. We are really excited to meet David MacDonald and see his wonderfully patterned pottery and catch up with Jack Troy who will be returning with his luscious wood-fired work.

This weekend, May 3-5 is FireFest, a first time annual event in Star, NC., hosted by Starworks, celebrating Art made with fire!  I hope we can get a few chances to go down and check out all the neat things that will be happening just 5 miles down the road.  You can buy tickets ahead of time for a bit cheaper cost, or wait and buy them on the day for a few dollars more. There are demos during the day and talks and music Fri. and Sat. evening.  All of the details are on the STARworks website.

Samantha making mugs, Seagrove, NC

I really love to throw/turn pots. There is something so comforting about knowing a form, the amount of clay I need to make that form, and to be able to do it mostly without too much struggle. The tumblers below were like that this time.  Sometimes this form can take a me few to get the rhythm down, but a couple of nights ago they were friendly to make.  It is satisfying and pleasurable to feel the clay pull up almost on its own. 

Samantha's tumblers before trimming

Samantha covering pottery for the night, Seagrove, NC

Maine is a beautiful place. When we went it rained everyday, which actually made for a very relaxing vacation. We didn't feel like we had to hustle out of the house to go hiking and do something, so in the mornings we relaxed and read books and enjoyed the beauty around the house, and in the afternoon we ventured out in our raincoats to eat and take short hikes. The mosses were lush and the shoreline blissful.  The following are some images from that trip.