Marian Williams, Author at Marian Williams Pottery

Cone 10 Reduction Gas Firing Results

My last glaze firing finally worked! I got to Cone 10 and 1280! Seems a miracle after the last few firings!

Perhaps one of the key things was my new pyrometer that my daughter, Liz, sent to me from the USA (along with some other much appreciated goodies!) – SO much cheaper!

Pyrometer Sent By Liz Williams From The USA!!

I am spraying glazes and as a result of the redo of the barn, Ronnie has rebuilt my spray booth!

Ronnie working on my new spray booth exhaust fan.

Got it at Reject Shop (dollar store) for $15!

As part of the moving process, alot of reorganization had to happen. It is a good thing!

Here are a couple of photos of what we did:

We tore out a creepy old area and cleaned it up for the spray booth.

I have also tried a couple of “tricks” that I posted about in a previous post, where I mentioned the excellent advice given me by Loren Lukens.

If you are spraying glazes, you should definitely give that post a read! He is awesome!

I’ve moved my glazes to liter bottles that can easily be shaken for mixing!

I also found some cool velcro labels that I can attach to each sprayer, identifying the glaze in each! So helpful!

All in all, it is getting easier. The turntable in my spray booth is the one that we built earlier. Read about it in this blog post: Click here!

Plate sprayed and rimmed with iron oxide.

I’m gaining confidence and I’m seeing some good results!

Here is a slide show of the latest firing results (they are quick and dirty photos-hopefully, someday I’ll do some nicer ones!):

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Keep the faith!

Luv,

Marian

Malcolm Greenwood Workshop

Amazing Potters How To's Workshops

Just attended the Malcolm Greenwood Workshop at the Gold Coast Potters Association.

What a fantastic workshop!

Malcolm Greenwood, potter extraordinaire!

Malcolm Greenwood is a fantastic potter, teacher, and human being! He has also figured out how to make a living as a potter – designing and creating pottery for many restaurants. Check out his website here to see his amazing work: HERE

Malcolm Greenwood throwing a large vessel.

Wow! I learned so much! I guess I was just at the right place in my potting career to HEAR what he said and showed us and it ALL made so much sense!

We learned how to make our own tools!

Tombo, bamboo trimming tool and rib-newly made!

We learned how to make slabs without a slab roller!

We learned about throwing without water!

Malcolm's throwing is magic! Porcelain. No water. Just a dampened cotton cloth. Brilliant! — Malcolm’s throwing is magic! Porcelain. No water. Just a dampened cotton cloth. Brilliant!

We learned how to trim pots in an efficient manner!

And MUCH, MUCH MORE!!

I’m so eager to try all the tricks of the trade that he shared with us! He was super generous with ALL of his information! No secrets with him! We got it all.

If you get a chance to go, don’t hesitate! It is awesome! You will learn so much!

Upward and onward!

Luv,

Marian

Woodfiring Pottery BBQ: Pots And Goannas!

Firing Woodfiring

The bi-yearly woodfiring at the Fernvale location of the Murwillumbah Potters Group happened a couple of weeks ago. It is always a grand event, attended by lots of people, and lots of work ensues trying to get that bastard of a kiln to temperature (didn’t happen….AGAIN!!!!).

I actually thought that I was going to have a great firing and incredible pots. I love the work of Dick Lehman and here are some photos of an article that was in Ceramics Monthly (a few years back!) showing how he side fires and the gorgeous results.

Dick Lehman on the cover of Ceramics Monthly.

Dick Lehman's sidefired bottle- This is what I was hoping for! — Dick Lehman’s sidefired bottle- This is what I was hoping for!

Then on Facebook, I saw a tip from Michael Coffee that showed how to mix wood ash with copper carbonate and rutile to get amazing results.

Michael Coffee

September 10

I received an IM from a potter here on facebook that wanted to know how I get the multiple colors on my yunomi like that pictured below. I thought I would post my top secret information here…My secret is…BBQ shakers. I put a few tablespoons worth of wood ash sieved through a basic kitchen sieve and then at a teaspoon or so of Copper Carb to one and Rutile to the other. The shaker on the right is Portland Cement straight…

I apply the ash while the underglaze is still wet and I apply to anticipate the flowing at temp.

Did this too!

Marian Williams sieving ash mixture onto pots.

Anyway, you can see the slide show here of the befores, during, and afters of the wood firing.

Before:

Tara Dyson and Warwick Anderson getting things ready to put in the kiln.

Claire Byrne sorting kiln furniture.

Dianne Lloyd, a former Murbah potter, and hubbie, came to have a look and see Ann Lee.

Warwick Anderson getting things ready for firing.

Sebastian, a lovely wood fire mascot.

Ronda Luland happy as!

Pots ready to be loaded.

Ann Lee inside the kiln loading pots.

Carefully loading the mermaid!

Ronda Luland loading her big pot.

Having a chat to Sebastian.

She’s loaded! Going for the side fire!

During:

Julie tending the side of the kiln and the coals.

After:

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However, the BEST part was when Carol Anderson decided to retrieve a goanna from the roadside that had been struck by a car (later found out it was Ann Lee’s husband, Terry!) and then cook it on the coals from the wood kiln so we could EAT IT!!!

The whole thing was my friend, Judith’s fault. Really!

Judith Wagenseller, one of my besties, gave me a book on Clay Pot Cooking. Last year.

Oops, just now getting around to reading it! But it is awesome and fascinating and one of the things that it talked about in the book was cooking a chicken wrapped in clay.

Judith and I are both subject to a bit of craziness as I only mentioned a book to Judith last year and she FOUND it!

Then we did a video to send to Ellen (we just knew Ellen would want Judith on her show talking about the cat finger puppets she had made from her own cat’s fur – too good, eh?!!) Side note: Truly Southurst this could be you on the video!

See the video of Judith and her cat finger puppets here:

So you can clearly see, that none of this is my fault…it is Judith who is the culprit here. She is the one that gave me the book. I …. only read it and reported the process of cooking a chicken in clay. The rest just happened!

Once again I must reiterate, this is my friend, Judith’s, fault. I was merely sitting chatting with the group about my book on Clay Pot Cooking and mentioned the chicken in clay and everyone sitting around chatting agreed that it was supposed to be excellent.

Well, Carol decided to run to town and get a chook and some banana leaves and try it!!

On the way back, the poor road-kill goanna lay tauntingly at the side of the road and Carole couldn’t resist. She’s an archaeologist and she and Warwick taught school on an island in Northern Queensland, so she is a cluey sort of chick.

So here’s the photographic rendition of this crazy tale!

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I did taste it and yes, it tastes like chicken – although stringy, tough chicken.

There was a party happening in the building at the other end of the property and soon a crowd came to see what was going on. Tasting and dismembering of the goanna happened. It wasn’t pretty, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!

As I said this is how kids start using drugs, “Oh come on, try it! It won’t hurt you. Just try a little bit. You don’t want to say you never tried it!” and so it goes. First, it’s goanna, then you are on to the heavier stuff…snake, possum, who knows where it could end!

My family is worried that I’m going “bogan” (red-neck to you Americans) as I am also keeping the snake skins I find around the place in a Mason jar (and other stuff is happening, hey?!).

What the heck! I’m a potter! And we can be as weird as we want!

Happy potting to all! and to all a good nite!

Luv,

Marian

Sheoak Gallery Opening

Creation Totems

Recently attended the Sheoak Gallery Opening. Heidi Ledwell did a great job making the gallery look WOW!!!

Here is one of the pieces that I am showing there.

The theme of the gallery show is Birds, Bees, Bugs and the importance of Biodiversity!!! Nice!!!

Exhibiting Artists: (L-R) Heidi Ledwell, Marian Williams, Marcia Gibbs, Dawn Walker, Leweena Williams.Here are a few of the lovely artists that are in this show.

If you get a chance, stop in and take a look. And then BUY something. Not too early to start that Chrissy shopping!

The Sheoak Gallery is located at 64 Fingal Road, Fingal, NSW.

Party on, Potters!

Luv ya!

Marian

Pottery Studio Redo!

Setting Up A Studio Studio and Equipment

My pottery studio is being redone! It is located in the old pole barn which previously was the furniture factory for Griffith Tabletop Furniture. Here is a post that I did previously on the barn and my studio. Click here.

Now in Australia a “barn” is called a “shed”, but to me, this can’t qualify as a “shed” as it is too huge. So I will refer to it as a barn, ok?!

Due to a roof cave-in last year and the decrepidation of the side building, a redo HAD to happen! Wind, rain, and dirt came in like a hound dog and it was not great for working.

If you click on the little pics, it will bring up a larger size pic and a slide show.

The roof had caved in on the side part of the barn. Ronnie got the tractor and tried to lift and clear the debris.

The old silo and the upholstery side of the barn needed to go!

A side view of the side to come out.

This is the side of the barn with the old upholstery shed-falling in on itself!

The side barn is coming down.

Here’s a view of the inside of the old upholstery building-great shelving!

Demolition of the side building that was falling in.

Big hole in the ground – old cistern?

Two old cisterns were found-empty and caving in.

A before of the barn side.

Lots of workers, timber, excavators, noise, nails, dogs, and no pottery being made!

At the back of the barn, the stairs to the old tree house were rotted out-even Sam was hesitant to walk on them!

So, finally, this week, the work began. The progress has been amazing!

One of the final things to come down was the old silo! Here is a pictorial of that event!

Silo – only thing left standing!

The excavator is ready to topple the old silo.

Here she goes!

Going!!!

Gone!!

Peter Taggett on the excavator! Job well done!

However, because of the noise of the excavator, tin crashing down, hammers, chain saws, and yelling of guys – I had to spend my time cooking, not potting. Keep ’em fed and Keep ’em working.

I come from a long line of cooks that can cook for a crowd and especially a crowd of guys working. As a kid, some of my favorite times were the lunches in the field during harvest and the big lunch spreads for the cowboys when working cattle, so this type of cooking is in my blood – weirdly, it is fun to me!!!

Lunch...Feed 'em and keep 'em working! — Lunch…Feed ’em and keep ’em working!

I did bisque fire my big pot and angel during all this hubbub and hopefully will be able to do a glaze firing soon!

The end result is going to be a gorgeous barn and work area!

Peace out, my lovelies!

Marian

Pamela A. MacGregor – A Devil’s Claw Teapot!

Amazing Potters Creation

Growing up on a farm in the Panhandle of Texas allowed me to know about “Devil’s Claws” first hand. It is essentially a barbed weed! When we found them, we would play with them, chasing each other around with the scary “Devil’s Claw”!

Devil's Claw - Source — Devil’s Claw – Source

Officially, it’s definition is:

Noun

S: (n) common unicorn plant, devil’s claw, common devil’s claw, elephant-tusk, proboscis flower, ram’s horn, Proboscidea louisianica (annual of southern United States to Mexico having large whitish or yellowish flowers mottled with purple and a long curving beak) Source

I always thought that the Devil’s Claws should be marketed in some way as the whole concept has a creepy, but totally cool, vibe.

But…I had never thought of putting them on a piece of pottery?? My bad – because, as you can see, this is a totally amazing work of art created by Pamela A. MacGregor of Tarvey Cottage Studios.

Devil's Claw Teapot by Pamela A. MacGregor of Tarvey Cottage Studios. — Devil’s Claw Teapot by Pamela A. MacGregor of Tarvey Cottage Studios.

To put it mildly, I’M TOTALLY WOWED!

Luv,

Marian

On the OSCAS Mud Trail: Part Deux!!!

Studio and Equipment Studio Tours

As I mentioned in my previous posts, Ronnie and I went on a road trip last weekend to see the potters on the Northern NSW OSCAS Mud Trail (NATIONAL OPEN STUDIO DAY) organized by the Australian Ceramics Association.

Along the way, we also found some pottery studios that were open and visited them. They were equally impressive and we are so glad we stopped and had a look!

Here is the Mullumbimby Potters Association building.

The first one was in Mullumbimby at the Mullumbimby Potters Group.

We met the lovely potters, Ellen Flounders and Malcolm Gotje, who were manning the studio and gallery on this gorgeous Saturday.

Mullumbimby Potters Association studios-lots of wheels and work areas!

Ellen Flounders in the Mullumbimby Potters Association Gallery.

Malcolm Gotje and his wonderful platter-Love the glaze!

They have a lovely studio and a great workspace as well. They are open for new potters, so if you are in the area, call in and have a chat!!

Our second visit was down the road from Toohey’s Mill Pottery. We saw a lovely pottery sign and decided to stop in.

Brooke Clunie, potter, in her studio, Red Door Studio. — Brooke Clunie’s studio, Red Door Studio.

The lovely Brooke Clunie was so kind and friendly and gave a great tour of her studio and gallery. Great work! and a Great Space!!!

Brooke speaking with Ronnie in her gorgeous studio/gallery.

The lower floor of Brooke's studio is her work area. — The lower floor of Brooke’s studio is her work area.

Brooke's wheel and kilns are on the lower floor which can be seen from the gallery. — Brooke’s wheel and kilns are on the lower floor which can be seen from the gallery.

Brooke’s website is HERE. So click in and give her a look and then stop in – you won’t be disappointed!

You should definitely check her out if you are in the neighbourhood!

And speaking of checking other potters out, don’t forget to click on over to Mud Colony!

Keep Loving Your Life! It’s too short!

Marian

OSCAS: Open Studios of Ceramic Artists – Following The Mud Trail in Northern NSW

Creation Studio Tours

This past weekend was the innaugural OSCAS all across the vast country of Australia.

OSCAS: Open Studios Ceramics Australia Showcase , sponsored by the Australian Ceramics Association allowed anyone to visit studios of potters, see demonstrations, buy pottery, talk to the potters. It was a huge success!!!

Each area created a MUD TRAIL Map so we set off to see the potters on the trail in Northern NSW.

Saturday morning Ronnie and I got into his new truck (very swish, eh!?), loaded up with snacks, got out iphone with Google Maps and set out to follow the Mud Trail.

OSCAS-mud trail-Northern NSW-pottery-open studio day-australia- — Ronnie’s new truck!

Snacks!!! Did you know that in the USA - we call them "shoestring potatoes" - are only sold in a small little can!(at least that's the way it was when I left 10 years ago!) . — Snacks!!! Did you know that in the USA – we call them “shoestring potatoes” – are only sold in a small little can!(at least that’s the way it was when I left 10 years ago!) .

We really NEEDED our GPS to find all these studios!

Visiting the studio of another potter is always a treat. But getting to visit the studios of MANY potters on the same day is incredible!

Now, I must say here that I’ve taken heaps of pictures, but they in no way will give you the full sensual experience of actually GOING!

A glorious day for a fantastic road trip!

The smell of the bush, the taste of the scones with cream and jam, the vivid colours of the pots when seeing them in person, seeing the big goanna crawl past the “in construction” kiln at Suvira’s place, the pats on the various dogs we met, cannot be imagined or duplicated! It was just a glorious day!

So If you couldn’t make it this year, plan on it for next time!

For now though, here is a pictorial visit to the studios of the potters we visited that were involved in the OSCAS: Open Studios Ceramics Australia Showcase sponsored by the Australian Ceramics Association.

Our first stop was the studio of Catherine Lane in Ocean Shores. Her colleague, Linnelle Stepto, also exhibited her work at Catherine’s home. Catherine’s pottery is amazing! Linelle’s work, as can be seen in the photos, are flower wall hangings made from non-indigenous animal hides. In the case here, cane toad hides and ferrel cat skins-very interesting and cool!

Here is a pictorial review of the visit: (Click on the small pics to get a slide show view).

Pottery display in Catherine Lane’s home.

A view into Catherine Lane’s home from the garden near her studio.

Catherine Lane’s studio, which is positioned to the side of her home in the garden.

Catherine Lane’s lovely studio!

Linelle Stepto’s Flower Wall Hangings from hides of non-indigenous creatures in Australia.

Wall hanging flower created by Linelle Stepto from the hides of the non-indigenous cane toad.

These are banksia wall hangings made by Linelle Stepto from ferrel cat fur.

Our next stop was the studio of Pinky and Maurice (aka Claire Atkins). Wow! What a great spot!

Sheet signage as we walked up to the house/studio.

Her studio was gleaming and so was her work! She had an area set up for visitors to paint a bowl. The 100 Bowl exhibit will be in Mullimbimby.

Claire Atkins and her work!

Lovely exhibit of Claire’s work.

Molds, shelving, equipment-no tidy!!

View of the studio from the garden looking in.

Bowls, bowls, bowls-to be painted by visitors!

Lovely painting area in her garden.

Visitors busy decorating bowls.

Linda Cunningam, photographer, was giving a demonstration on shooting your work using the cube!

Linda’s photo cube ready for the demonstration.

Inside the studio, Tali’s work.

Tali speaking with a visitor.

Cutie pup!

Also at her studio we got to meet Lisa Gair, Tali Cohen-Flantz and Lisa’s sister, Linda Cunningham and see their gorgeous work!

The highlight here was the “kiln temple” in Claire’s backyard (garden) -truly a site to behold!!

Another view of the "kiln temple" — Another view of the “kiln temple”

From there we went to Suvira McDonald’s. This is where the GPS on my phone became essential!!! Tucked back in the bush, we found Suvira’s studio! Loaded with amazing, amazing pottery!

Mud Trail signage.

Fantastic treehouse!

We knew we were close when we started seeing pots!

Yard art.

Welcoming boats!

Love these!

Suvira McDonald in his studio.

Survira McDonald speaking with Fiona Fell, head of Ceramics at Southern Cross University.

Suvira with a big smile!!!

Gorgeous!

Suvira’s Work.

Love this big platter!

More of Suvira’s work.

These glazes are so decadent!

Loved seeing and hearing about everyone’s kilns and firings!

Suvira showed me his PayMate! Too cool! EFTPOS on your phone!

Enjoyed meeing Fiona Fell-head of ceramics at Southern Cross University.

More of Suvira’s work.

Lastly on the Mud Trail, we visited the studio of Karen Jennings’, Toohey’s Mill Pottery. Now I thought getting to Suvira’s was a challenge, but I truly don’t think I would have found Karen’s place without my GPS on my phone!!

Lost??!!! Nay...we had our GPS! — Lost??!!! Nay…we had our GPS

Karen Jennings’ studio is amazing as well and her work is absolutely brilliant!!!! So glad we found it!

Karen Jennings and her gorgeous work! Stunners all!

Toohey’s Mill Pottery Grounds. Gorgeous!

Karen Jennings and her gorgeous work! Stunners all!

Brochures and sign in book.

Just in the nick of time! Food! Fantastic scones with cream and jam!

Karen demonstrating on the wheel.

Visitors got to give the wheel a go.

Karen with a visitor.

Giant slab roller.

Karen’s work!

Little bags of clay tools and goodies were available for sale.

He was so lovely! Tummy rub!!

Two studios that we visited that were not officially on the trail were also great fun and we saw some excellent pottery!! Stay tuned for my next post about them!!

All in all, the day was even better than I had dreamed! I hope TACA does it again next year! If so, give us one more day and have lots more potters involved!!! Brilliant!!!

To see what others did last week, check out Mud Colony!

Party on, Garth!

Marian

Fusion Art Exhibit-Pottery!!!

Creation Top Slid Uncategorized

Last Thursday evening, Ronda Luland, Shirley Featherston, Ann Lee and myself went to Brisbane to attend the opening of the Fusions Gallery Exhibition.

Emma Lee and Ann Lee-great mother-daughter combo! — Emma Lee and Ann Lee-a great mother-daughter team!

Claire Byrne and Ann Lee, Potters/Sculptures

It was awesome and we saw some incredible pottery!

Ann Lee’s daughter, Emma Lee, is the current President of Fusions, so the event was especially important as we knew three of the exhibitors!

Well done to all!

Potter on!

Marian

Bukran Edit-Hungarian Potter

Amazing Potters

In a recent cleanup, I ran across the postcard and business card of Bukran Edit, a potter from Hungary. I visited Hungary a looooonnnnggg time ago (2002) and was fortunate that the Christmas market, which was so cool, was being held in Budapest. I was interested to see if this potter was still working.

Thanks to good old Google, I found her!! I loved her work back when, but was absolutely gobsmacked by the work she is still doing!