Happy New Year!

Well, a little late I know but momentum is now building for my next firing which will be from 13th - 16th February. Clay has been mixed, work constructed and thrown and the on going battle with the elements to keep the wood stacks dry cautiously being won; so all systems are go. 
Below is a sneak  image of some of the pieces which will go into the firing along with beakers, shots and more thrown pieces, and a few re-fires from previous firings.

 The darker clay body pieces will be glazed, with an opacified ash glaze. The paler pieces are my course body with pink granite and cordierite which will have no glaze applied.

Other projects which are nearing completion include an article for the Log Book on the building of the new kiln which hopefully will be published in May. Also my book "Firing Kilns", is nearly completed and (Shameless plug!), can be pre-ordered from Amazon now with the publication date in July.

So far this year: I have a show at the Beetroot tree gallery, Derbyshire 1st March - 12th April. I'll also be showing at "Ceramics in Charnwood" on Sunday 18th May, Earth and Fire at Rufford Country Park 20th - 21st - 22nd June, and Art in Clay at Hatfield house 4th - 5th - 6th July. 

As the firing gets closer I will update the blog more frequently. I'll be packing the kiln on the 6th and 7th Feb with the help of Steve Parry who will as always, be helping with the firing.

Autumn gold

It's been far too long since I've posted. The beautiful summer has faded to a distant memory replaced by stunning colours and an ever increasing urgency to batten down the hatches for the impending winter. Needless to say things have been busy here, with the new undergraduate and postgrad. cohorts bedding in well. Work is progressing towards my next firing. I now have a wood shed brimming with split Oak and Ash, and 16 pallets of pine slab wood covered and weatherproofed. Work is well underway on pieces for the  firing which is notionally set for January again, although I've not fixed a firm date yet as I want to have time to make enough work to fill the kiln tight. I'm also test firing some new glazes in our gas kiln, part of the body of work for this firing will be fully glazed. Below is a sneaky glimpse of some of the pieces.

As well as new pieces, mugs and bowls etc. I'll be re-firing some older box pieces to build up another layer of ash and flame markings, so all in all it's lining up to be an exciting firing. Applications are being prepared for next years shows and work wrapped and dispatched for pr-Christmas orders. I'll post up a few more work images soon. Cheers.

Preparations have started

It may still be a long way off until I fire next, but far away from that winter date; on a beautiful hot summer's day, I've just had the soft wood for the firing delivered and have stacked it close to the kiln. It's a good feeling, knowing that the kiln is all ready to go. :-))

Back from Hatfield

Last weekend I was down exhibiting at Art in Clay at Hatfield house. Excellent event and great to catch up with folk and spend some chilled evenings with friends.The weather was fantastic which made the whole event even better.

 The Stand at Art in Clay

Sunset over the campsite and show on Saturday night.

I'm off down to Stratford-Upon-Avon this Sunday to demonstrate as part of Warwickshire open studios with Claire Brierley http://www.claire-brierley.co.uk/. The weather looks fine and warm so should be a great day. Yesterday was spent collecting another van load of seasoned split ash for the next firing which is now neatly stacked in the wood store.

Hopefully the firing's soft wood should be arriving next week and then all I have to do is start making . Saving the best bit till last :-)

I recently returned from this years Earth and Fire event at Rufford Country park. As usual there was some fantastic work on show and great to catch up with folk. The weather was a little better than the forecaster's had predicted although the wind had to show up (Something which I would normally embrace), and make all our nerves jangle for a couple of days. It's now preparation time for Art in clay at Hatfield House 5-6-7th July

Earth and fire stand looking a little wind swept

Home for the duration :-)

I few examples of the new work which I'll be showing at Art in Clay. Hopefully see you there.

Well, it's been 4 weeks since the firing in the Wysing kiln which went very well. We were lucky enough to have some fantastic dry and warm weather which made it even better, my last 3 firings its been rubbish, either pouring with rain or snowing.

It's been a bit chaotic here over the last few weeks as undergrads set up for degree shows and post grads for assessments, but I've finally managed to take and sort out a few images from the firing. 2 weeks ago I also took part in the Ceramics in Charnwood Ceramics market in Loughborough town centre which is in its 3rd year and is organised as part of craft and design month.

 This body of work was made specifically for this firing and are all lidded boxes. They range in size from around 65cm tall to about 30cm tall.

 I'll be exhibiting some of these at Earth and fire at Rufford Country park on the 21st to 23rd of June and at Art in Clay at Hatfield house on the 5th - 7th July.

 All pieces have been handbuilt using a course high iron crank body and then either a semi porcelain casting slip or a black engobe applied.

Here are a few images of the packing:

 A nice domestic scene of the night shift. Kitchen on the left and some comfy chairs.

 The first glimpse of the pack!

Firing next week!

All the new boxes are bisqued and ready to transport down to the Wysing Arts Centre kiln next Thursday. Looking forward to this firing. Lovely kiln site in the middle of the country side. We are extending the fire box slightly for this pack to get larger coaling area. I am not wadding these boxes in the conventional way but instead the feet will sit on squares of plaster board which works very well as wadding, this should give them a little more even support. We will be packing the kiln on Thurday and then firing from early Friday morning through till Sunday afternoon. If you're in the area pop in and say high.