In Session

I have officially taken three pottery classes so far in my budding career in ceramics. My last class ended in November and since then I have had an opportunity to rent a studio space above the ceramic supply shop where my teacher has her studio. For $90 a month I can officially adopt 60 square feet of space and a view. I can use this space as often as I want, have 8 wheels at my disposal, and a kiln and supplies basically at my fingertips. It was too good to pass up ...

So for the past three months or so I have been coming here a few times a week to see what I can throw. I've experimented a lot. At first all I could think to throw were bowls. I would come up with brilliant new ideas I wanted to try, think all day about different forms to attempt, get to the studio, sit at the wheel and throw bowls. I probably have at least 20 bowls now, and these are the one's I actually kept. So the last few times out I have been playing with different forms. Pitchers, teapots, canisters, mugs. I love all these forms. Plates seem to be the bane of my existence as a potter. Something about getting just the right thickness and smoothness, without cutting through the bottom of the plate. Getting the rim to dry evenly, trimming the bottom. Not to mention trying to throw more than one plate that is close to the same size ...

Last week I learned how to work the electric kiln and fired my first bisque load (this was always done by my teachers in the past). There is also an amazing gas kiln on site which I may or may not get to use. I love the way the glazes come out of it, very earthy and rich. This Saturday I am planning to head to Worcester, MA to visit the art center there, and check out their studio setup.

Here are a couple of my recent pieces:

I call this my Star Wars pitcher. It's my first attempt at altering a rim

My second teapot and first handle alteration