Crystals are growing

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cobalt-crystalline-bowl
Cobalt Crystalline Bowl

Though I have been planning this for some time—only over the last 4 to 5 years have I been working with crystalline glazes. A process much more demanding that non-crystalline because the effect is literally grown by precisely ramping and soaking the molten glaze to develop a wide variety of crystalline patterns. I make a photo series of the developing crystals to determine the precise moment when the crystal patterns reach a desired ratio. Many may find the technical aspects of my new adventure tiresome but I’m enjoying every minute.

“I can’t believe that…”

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dan-peep-500sq-50k“I can’t believe that!” said Alice. “Can’t you?” the Queen said in a pitying tone. “Try again, draw a long breath, and shut your eyes.” Alice laughed. “There’s no use trying,” she said. “One can’t believe impossible things.” “I dare say you haven’t had much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.”
— Lewis Carroll

Chapter 5 — “Wool and Water”

Through the Looking Glass

“the mercy of invisible power”

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shoji-hamadaFrom Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi

“If a kiln is small, I might be able to control it completely, that is to say, my own self can become a controller, a master of the kiln. But man’s self is but a small thing after all. When I work at the large kiln, the power of my own self becomes so feeble that it cannot control it adequately.  It means that for the large kiln, the power that is beyond me is necessary. Without the mercy of such invisible power I cannot get good pieces. One of the reasons why I wanted to have a large kiln is because I want to be a potter, if I may, who works more in grace than in his own power.”

— Shōji Hamada quote

Dazed & Amazed

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4-blue-red-shoji-500sq-68kHave you ever felt you were a spectator rather than a participant in your life? A twist on Allen Saunders expression “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans”.

When like an unreal dream you are startled with the gift of a George Nakashima table and within the same year a brilliantly manic friend gives you a Shoji Hamada plate saying “thought you should have this”. 

One day I find myself glazing a bisque plate which has been gathering dust in inventory for many years. As the dry glazed piece waits weeks for me to load the kiln—I walk by thinking it will not fire well and come close to washing it off (to re-glaze in another way). I finally load the kiln and happen upon the patient plate which I decide is needed to fill kiln space—even though I have zero confidence in the result.

Imagine my surprise & chagrin on unloading a piece as beautiful as any I have ever touched. A piece I seem to have made and glazed and fired—but the result of which did not come from my confused efforts. This experience is a hubris killer as well as a powerful motivator to persevere while being skeptical of one’s inclinations. Have you ever experienced anything like this?

 

 

“You can observe a lot by watching”

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To paraphrase Yogi Berrayou can observe a lot by watching YouTube.

If your curious how I do what I do—browsing my Water Stone Sink / Maine Kiln Works YouTube Channel could be entertaining and perhaps educational. A few of the video edits are my crude efforts but most were created by my best friend in this worldPatrick Barter. Much of the content is unusual and in many cases unique. Though I didn’t hatch female, I enthusiastically support the feelings so well expressed in Peggy Seger’s song ‘Gonna Be An Engineer’.

I am never happier than when making, breaking, mulling mistakes and wondering aloud with my hands: “what would it be like to make THAT”. A few of my THAT’s can be seen at my YouTube Channel.

Let me know what you’ve been your makin’.

A LONG time coming

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artisanal-everything-500x280-94kThough it has taken a VERY long time—I’m at last attempting to create a comprehensive site to display our hand formed Porcelain & Stoneware as well as a range of tangential activities & interests. Perhaps my long suffering customers will be pleased to see results after repeatedly seeing my site development plans delayed. Everything around here is long term—making patience and persistence essential.

1-dan-hair-500sq-292

I am currently spewing out new pieces and processes at an unprecedented clip—the result of herky jerky planning and testing which is finally bearing fruit. We have scores of new glazes and have successful crystalline firings. Please take a look and offer your suggestions and encouragement ✈