gas kiln, fibre-lined gas kiln

How To Fire A Fibre-lined Gas Kiln

I’ve posted in the past about how I fire my gas kiln.  There are actually alot of posts – just “search” on my website for “gas kilns” and all the previous posts will be listed or just Click Here.

I’ve fired my kilns a lot lately and have had a few questions, so thought I’d do an update on how to fire a fibre-lined gas kiln.

I’d always dreamed of having my own gas kiln.  In the states, it’s pretty improbable- very expensive – got to have a site, etc.  So when I landed in a great space in Australia and the opportunity to do clay full-time, I started looking for a used gas kiln.

Fortunately, old fibre-lined gas kilns are fairly available in Australia.  I ended up buying 2 – one for $2000 (the lady was going into assisted living and literally “gave” me her studio – wheel, tools, chemicals, clay and the kiln) and the second one for $150.00.  I was extremely lucky.

gas kiln, fibre-lined gas kiln
My first gas kiln, Thelma.

Both kilns are great!  A little worse for wear, but still highly usable.  The older black one is named Thelma, and the shinier, newer one is named Louise.  They are two hot bitches that like to go fast!

Fortunately for me, they’ve allowed me to figure out their idiosyncracies and let me fire them well.

When I got these kilns, I sought advice, talked to people, looked on the internet and hoped for a step-by-step instruction manual on how to fire a gas kiln.  None existed and everyone said, “Each kiln fires differently.  There are no exact instructions.”

Well that is just hunky dorky…… Here’s a post on my first firing:  Click Here.

So, I set about firing it, trying, learning, continued to ask lots of questions and fired it some more.  When I say “it”, I’m referring to Thelma as I didn’t even fire Louise for at least a year.

As a result of my experience, I thought it might be helpful to some that are trying to learn to fire a gas kiln if I passed along some information about the process.

Here are some insights (in no particular order):

Propane Tanks-I keep two large propane tanks ready for firing.  As one is depleted, I have it filled, but try to start out on the “almost empty” tank to drain it down as much as possible.  Funny, I can almost get to 1000c on the dregs of an almost “empty” tank.  If you have two tanks, then if a tank freezes (ices) up, then you can easily switch tanks and keep firing.

Meter at the tank-I generally start firing at 35kpa on the meter.  For reduction on Thelma, I have to up that to 100kpa to get her into heavy reduction (more on reduction later).

Burners – my kilns each have two burners.  I light one burner in the beginning of the firing with a propane lighter.  I keep the door to the kiln open until I’ve lit the kiln, then I close it.  I light the second burner at 600c.  In order to “see” the burners on Thelma, it is necessary to place a mirror under the kiln -thus allowing full view of burners without having to lay on the floor (uncomfortable!).

 

Pyrometers – I use a digital pyrometer in each kiln to ensure that I can track the temperature.

pyrometer
Pyrometer Sent By Liz Williams From The USA!!

Cones – I place a cone pack of 3/4 relevant cones in front of each bung hole and one on the lowest shelf to make sure I’m firing evenly.  I make a bunch of cone packs, using cones 8,9, 10, way ahead of time to make sure they don’t explode in the firing.

Bungs – my kilns came with fire brick cones, but they have broken over time.  So now I use use a rolled up piece of fibre – works great!  I put bungs in at 600c.

Broken Peep/Bung Hole Plug
Fibre Kiln Port/Bung Hole Plug
fiber bung
Fibre Kiln Port/Bung Hole Plug
Kit Adams-Clayways-Austin, Texas

Reduction – It’s easy.  For copper reds, start redux at 750c and keep it in redux til the end of the firing.  To put your kiln in redux, you may need to up the gas output at the tank to 70-100kpa (I do).  Then I screw down the burner leaving only about 1/4 inch opening on each burner.  I also put fire bricks on each flu closing it to 1/2. Watch closely and if you see any black smoke, open up the burners or the flu til the smoke stops.  Black smoke is bad – indicates that carbon coring can occur – very bad for your pots!  Check to make sure that your kiln is in redux by pulling out the lower bung and seeing if a flame is coming out of the bung – you want a 3-4 inch flame.  You probably won’t see flames out of the top of the kiln (out of the flu) until you’ve passed 1000c.  Reduction can slow the kiln down, you have to babysit it sometimes.  If it stalls, I try everything and still keep it in redux – open the flu a bit, open the burners a bit, change the gas at the tank, check if the tank is frozen (if it is, you can hose it down with water to unfreeze it).

Oxidation – It’s really easy.  Fire the kiln until it reaches the desired temperature and the cones have dropped.  My problem is keeping the kiln out of reduction.  To do this, I have to slow down the tanks, the gas coming in and the burners.  But hopefully, this won’t be a problem for you.  Here is what a glaze that should be fired in oxidation looks like if it reduces – interesting, but no terribly pretty.

Closing up your kiln – When your kiln reaches temperature (this will vary for each kiln.  One of mine reaches cone 10 at 1240. The other one goes to 1260 to reach cone 10), turn the gas off at the tanks.  Then close off the burners with fiber or the doors for each burner port.  Put a brick over the flu outlet to completely cover it.

That’s it!  Go home and go to bed.

Be patient!  Don’t open the kiln too early.  I may “crack” the door at 200c, but you’re risking cracks if you unload too early.

Hope this has proved helpful in some way.  Let me know if you have any questions!

Good firing to you all!

Marian

cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze

Cobalt Cascade Tumblers!

Sometimes when I glaze, I just inadvertently try something not tried before – no test tiles – just to see what happens.

cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze
Three Cobalt Cascade Tumblers

In this case, a little magic happened!  But….

cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze
Tumbling Tumblers.
cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze
Here’s what the inside and base of the tumblers look like.
cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze
Cobalt Cascade Tumbler #1

The altered stoneware cups have a beautiful pearl glaze as the backdrop for the shimmering cascade of blues, ending with the cobalt drips.

cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze
Cobalt Cascade Tumbler 3@

Each one is unique and one-of-a-kind.

cobalt cascade tumblers, cone 10 reduction fired, gas firing, tumblers, cobalt glaze, drippy glaze
Cobalt Cascade Tumbler #3

You’ll love holding and drinking from these cups!

Marian

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes

How To Make Your Own Brushes – Brush Making Workshop

Making your own brushes can be such fun!  It is inexpensive, easy and really a creative endeavour.

I’ve written about making brushes and how I gather roadkill – Click Here to read.

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
These are brushes that I have previously made from roadkill in Texas – fox tail, raccoon tail, wild boar, deer, etc.

Handmade brushes can be strictly functional or can be more artistic in design.

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
These are examples of more artistic brushes and dippers for use in glazing pottery.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
This photo shows the curvy, curvy vine from which I hung these lovely creations.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
The addition of decoration yarn, silk or fabric can make these brushes extra special.

I decided to host a Brush Making Workshop to teach others how to make brushes, but also as a collaborative effort to make brushes for ceramics.

Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Brush handles can be made from bamboo, but also from any other “stick”.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Lots of tools and necessary equipment to make the brushes were provided.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
A box of op shop Barbies provided some much needed “hair/fur” as roadkill in Australia was in short supply.

It was really amazing how creative and hard-working everyone was –

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo and Kym made some very creative brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese and Vicci keeping it busy.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
This mother-daughter combo, Renee and Christine, smashed it!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Claire’s creativity was unbounded!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Tara and Diane worked dilligently (and chatted!).
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Christine enjoying the process.

Everyone worked diligently on their brush creations – individually and cooperatively.

Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Terese and Vicci collaborating-Tara and Diane in the background.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Anna working hard.
Making your own brushes can be such fun!
Lucy and Renee creating!

Their creativity was boundless!

A 4 – wheel drive across the property took us to the bamboo grove and to other areas that had plenty of “brush handle” possibilities.

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Loaded in the back of the ute for a ride to the bamboo grove.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Some got to ride inside!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Loaded!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese cutting bamboo for brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo, Christine, and Lucy gathering bamboo.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo, Tara and Christine looking for brush handle possibilities.
Kym foraging!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Our HUGE bamboo grove – and Claire looking on.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Our foraging walk.

Back at the barn, everyone got stuck right back into making brushes!

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Working.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Anna on the drill – one always needs to know how to use tools!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Kym!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese concentrating on her brush making.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Creativity PLUS!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese drilling it!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo thinking it through.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Claire gained confidence and expertise in using a Dremel tool – so cool!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
The yarn, scarf, bead table was filled with decorative items for the brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Anna’s brushes were made with fur/hair from her dog’s bum!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo got very creative and designed some brushes from local fauna – amazing.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Diane made brushes from a lock of her own hair.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Vicci creating!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Lucy and Christine creating!
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Samantha Scout enjoying being petted and feed by the girls!

The final results of everyone’s day of brush making were pretty incredible.  Here they are!

Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Diane’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Tara’s brushes with ceramic handles.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Jo’s brushes.
Jo’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Anna’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Renee’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Lucy’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Christine’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Terese’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Vicci’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Kym’s brushes.
Brush making Workshop, roadkill brushes, brushes for ceramics, bamboo brushes, how to make brushes
Claire’s feather brush.

I don’t think anyone will be able to look at sticks without thinking “brushes” or “roadkill” and not think, “STOP”.  It’s an addictive little sport!

It was a great workshop – very laid back and cruisy – but also very productive!

It will be interesting to see what everyone does with their brushes and if they make more!

I, personally, can’t wait to start mark making on my pots!

Happy potting to you all,

Marian

copper red glaze, cone 10 reduction, high fire glazes,

I Need Colour!

recycled clay, rustic tableware, tableware, white tableware
This is a table setting I made from recycled clay and I used a white glaze.

Amidst all the ceramics in the current trend of whites, earth tones, rustic-looking pottery, one doesn’t find a great deal of colour.  Is black a colour? Ok, there’s lots of black and greys as well.

But I need colour.

A recent video was posted about Jim Carrey’s painting. It’s titled, “I Needed Color”.  I NEED colour too!!!

Sometimes I feel the need to join the flocks of ceramicists making basic white/black/grey work- as it’s highly marketable and very “in trend”.  I can do it.

But I always end up longing for a myriad of colour in my work.

copper red glaze, cone 10 reduction, high fire glazes,
Copper Red! Plus about 4 other glazes – Colour!

More colourful glazes!

copper red glaze, cone 10 reduction, high fire glazes,

copper red glaze, cone 10 reduction, high fire glazes,

copper red glaze, cone 10 reduction, high fire glazes,

So what do you reckon?  Too much?

A lady recently told me that she didn’t like to serve or eat food on copper red…???

Maybe I’ll be “trendy” someday when people get tired of the neural tones!

Colour me “outta here”!

Marian

 

 

 

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers

Rustic Rainbow Drip Tumblers

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers
Rustic Rainbow Drip Tumblers

I’ve never aspired to be a production potter and even when I do try to make a dozen of the same shape, I seldom succeed.

These tumblers are a perfect example!  I tried a new dark stoneware – very groggy and super horrible on your hands when throwing.  So this will probably be the last of these.

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers
Best Drip EVER!

But I do really LOVE the look.  I left the exterior raw – giving the user a very tactile and lovely experience.  The interior is glazed for food safety.  But the lip and the drip are the stars of the show!  Three different glazes are used to get this effect.

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers
Sweet shape – fits the hand perfectly.

I may keep them all myself, but as a potter that is sort of a curse!  We have too many pots!  So I’ve decided to let you have a chance at getting all or one for yourself.

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers
Look at that porcelain clay swirl!

They are in my online shop now:  Click Here.

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers
Throwing lines show on this one.

To me rainbows are a promise of good things to come, so the tumblers are my way of telling you that things are gonna be great!

dark stoneware, drippy glazes, rustic rainbow drip tumblers
Smallest of the five with a sweet little drip.

Rainbows to you all!

Marian

Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery

Mud Trail Open Studios: Art On A Box And Tulipieres

log shelves, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
This is one of shelves that Ronnie built with logs and glass.

This year’s Mud Trail aka Northern Rivers Open Studios aka Australian Ceramics Open Studios has come and gone.  It was a great success, lots of fun, and ultimately a good experience.

We decided on a theme of Food and Flowers.  Tara is a florist (her day job!) so her ability to arrange flowers was apparent- it looked so professional!

reclaimed clay, dinner set, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
Lots of ceramics and lots of flowers!

We made lots of vessels for displaying flowers and plants and this definitely made me move to a new style of work.  I made a lot of tulipieres – Originally made by Delft – such fun!

Delft Tulipiere

I made a version of this piece:

tulipiere, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
This was my biggest and best tulipiere. Thanks Lyndall for the great photo. It looks even better with flowers!

Tara filled it with flowers and it was just spectacular!

tulipiere, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
Tulipiere with flowers.

Here’s a pictorial review of the weekend.

I have to say one of the highlights for me was working with Tara Dyson-Holland, a friend/artist/ceramic artist.

Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
Tara Dyson-Holland checking on her fired pieces.

Her studio was recently destroyed in the Murwillumbah Flood of 2017- completely under water.  She lost all of her work…her painting, her ceramics, the last 3 years of her creative life.

In an effort to heal and get past this horrible ordeal, Tara started making art on discarded boxes – 100 boxes in 100 days.

reclaimed clay, dinner set, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
People could choose a box that Tara had decorated to put their purchase in.

As a result, she placed her boxes as an art installation at my studio, with a written explanation of the process, her thoughts.

reclaimed clay, dinner set, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
100 Boxes in a 100 Days – Art Installation by Tara Dyson-Holland.

When someone purchased a piece of ceramics, they were “gifted” one of Tara’s painted boxes to house their piece.  Everyone loved it!

reclaimed clay, dinner set, Mud Trail 2017, australian ceramics open studio 2017, australian ceramiics, marian williams pottery, tara dyson-holland
A beautiful piece in a hand decorated box!

And one of the best parts was hearing Tara say that talking with people at the Open Studio weekend made her realize that “she’s over it” … she has healed and has now moved past her loss.

Art is the great healer.  Art is great therapy.  Art is life.  Or is it that life is Art?  It’s all the same to me.

Peace out,

Marian

Rabbit Trails: My Nemesis

To become truly expert in one area of ceramics, requires carefully repeating of forms, techniques, glazes, and firings. Repetitive development of these processes and forms, with refinements along the way, are what allow an artist to become truly proficient in that area and also to develop a body of distinguishable work.

Enter my ADD self….lets see, in the last few months, I probably have worked on:

1. Cone 10 Functional Ware
2. Work for Raku Firing

3. Work for Barrel Firing

4. New Collaborative Work

5. Handbuilt pieces

6. Spoons

7. Extruded Pieces

8. And probably some I’ve forgotten to mention! Oh yeah, Decals and Gold Lustre!

Herein lies the problem. I find myself chasing down rabbit trails and seldom have enough time to truly perfect any one area. I get bored easily – so I have tons of empathy for kids stuck in a classroom with no outlets for individual interests and creativity.

But I’ve been reading Big Magic (again!!) by Elizabeth Gilbert and she really speaks to me!! You MUST read it!! She believes – and so do I- that we all are gifted with “buried treasures” – planted deep inside us-but we must hunt to find and uncover those jewels. What an awesome task!

What’s the solution? Do what makes one happy!!! Life is short. Find your buried jewels and treasures and use them. We better pack it in- no regrets!

With love and messy hands,

Marian

 

tara dyson-holland, collaboration, flowers, tulipiere

The Exciting And Enthusiastic Effects Of Collaboration

tara dyson-holland, collaboration, flowers, tulipiere
My collaborator: Tara Dyson-Holland

I’ve admired the artistic talents of Tara Dyson Holland for several years now.  She has a quirky, humorous take on the world and it shows in her art – lots of little characters, flowers, lines, circles, colour!

We mutually agreed to collaborate one day and we have FINALLY started!

The amazing thing about this collaboration is that we have already inspired each other to work outside our comfort zones.  Initially, we have exchanged pots – with the caveat that the other person can do whatever they want with the pot!

Our theme is Food & Flowers – cause that’s what we are both all about!

We’ve only just begun, but it’s going to be fun!

collaborative ceramic work,
My bowls, Tara’s decorations.
collaborative ceramic work,
Another bowl of mine decorated by Tara.
collaborative ceramic work,
And another.

The results have been so fun, enlightening and inspiring.  I’ve gone in a direction that I had never even considered before and it is really making me make new, exciting work.

I’ve been making vessels that are particularly suited to displaying flowers.  It has really pushed me out of my norm in making traditional functional pieces.

I highly recommend the collaboration effect.  It makes one work and think differently.

Now go collaborate!

Marian

Barrel Fire Love – A Body Of Work

murwillumbah art trail, marian williams pottery,I joined a group to exhibit at the Murwillumbah Art Trail this year, which turned out to be super awesome and successful!

Our theme was Multiverse – so I did a Google to find out what that was all about.

Definition: noun  1.  (in physics and cosmology) a hypothetical collection of identical or diverse universes, including our own.”

So it involves, parallel universes, time travel, the cosmos – I wanted to create a “look” in ceramics that would portray that theme.  I decided to create some lovely vessels that could be barrel-fired to achieve that etheral, cosmic look.
murwillumbah art trail, marian williams pottery, barrel fired pottery
Barrel Fired Vessels – It is so interesting that you can achieve such a variety of colours in the same firing.
murwillumbah art trail, marian williams pottery, barrel fired pottery
This was a really large vessel – my favourite, I think!
murwillumbah art trail, marian williams pottery, barrel fired pottery
Each vessel is unique and is burnished to perfection.
I’m so, so in love with this process!  I’ve written a previous blog post on this process:  Click Here To Read It!
The show was lovely.  We had 6 artists:  Scott McDougall, painter; Trish Budd, mosaic artist; David Dempsey, photographer, Peter Smith, crystalline glaze ceramicist, and myself.  We styled our area more like a living room or gallery and it looked smashing.
I had my barn mate, Morgan Lloyd, of Burnpile, make a bespoke, artistic table for my vessels.  It looked fabulous!
marian williams pottery, barrel fired pottery, burnpile, morgan lloyd, rustic timber table
I’ve often heard the term, Body of Work, but until this set of vessels I have never actually created one!  It has given me a new direction and goal…to create further “bodies of work” that when exhibited will speak a similar language and give a consistent image.
Next on my list is a body of raku vessels and a body of floral containers.  Good luck with all that!
Keep potting and firing it up!
Marian
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,

Wow! What A Successful Workshop! Malcolm Greenwood’s Workshop Extraordinaire!

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Here’s the crew! Malcolm Greenwood and all 18 participants.

(As a note, this post is probably best viewed on your computer, not your phone.)

Sometimes words just don’t do justice to what you are trying to describe.  For the Malcolm Greenwood Workshop, that is definitely the case.

For as much planning, preparation, thought, worry – that goes into a workshop, the outcome is up for grabs.  There are so many elements that must fall into place to make it all work – the people, the weather, the equipment, the venue, the presenter – and in this case, ALL of these things surpassed my expectations! It all just worked.

The two main things that make this workshop work were:

Number ONE!! Malcolm Greenwood!!!

His knowledge, humour, expertise, patience, generosity, skill (and on and on) were amazing.

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Malcolm Greenwood

Number TWO!! The Participants!!

Each person brought a beautiful attitude of keenness, compassion for one another, a deep sharing, and patience.  As one person said after the workshop, “I felt like I might be the less skilled/experienced potter in the group on the first day during introductions, but I never felt that way again.”  Malcolm had a way of leveling the playing field.  We were ALL learning new techniques, making new tools, and hearing a new philosophy and way of creating.

THE PARTICIPANTS!

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
IlonaTopolcsanyl – Cone 11 Ceramics – Melbourne
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Lisa Benny – Harvest Clay – Tugan
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Rebecca Chua – Claypool – Sydney
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Margi Sanders – Gold Coast
Tali – Cohen – Franz – Keramika Ceramics – Ocean Shores
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery
Kristy Wong – Gold Coast
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Greg Furney – Villa Rustica Ceramics – Byron Bay
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Brett Stone – Claypool – Sydney
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Allessandro Di Sarno – Claypool – Sydney
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Warwick Anderson – Byron Bay
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Catherine Stainton – Wild Ceramics – Gold Coast
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Amy Coleman – Nerang
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Zeynep Testoni – Zeynep Testoni Ceramics – Gerroa, NSW
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery
Colin Hopkins – Cone 11 Ceramics – Melbourne
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery
Linda Cunningham – Pebuka Pottery – Murwillumbah
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery
Anna Zoeller – Brisbane
Amanda Thompson – Raksha Ceramics – Currumbin
Caitlin Purcell – Caitlin Pottery – Mansfield, Victoria

On top of that, the studio is like none other and is suited perfectly to the type of workshop that Malcolm teaches.  Making your own tools requires space, tools, wood, bamboo, woodworking equipment – we had it all.  We managed to borrow/bring enough wheels that everyone had a wheel to work on.   And this group!  No fussing or fighting over who got what…amazing…such a nice group of people!  Space for tables for handbuilding.  Space for relaxing when Ronnie served up tapas, wine and beer after a hard day.  Tables for lunch…etc, etc, etc.

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
18 Wheels in a circle with a wedging table in the middle.
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Plenty of demonstration tables.
Demonstration Tables.
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Everyone could get around to see what was going on.
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Wheel work demonstrations.
malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
Thrown bowls drying in the open air doors.

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,

I think that pictures will best convey what happened at this workshop…MAGIC!

The interesting thing about many of the pictures are the consultative and collaborative nature of the workshop.  Malcolm helping participants.  Participants helping participants.  So good.

WATCHING MALCOLM

Malcolm did demonstration after demonstration – lucky us!

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

ARTIST TALK AND DINNER

Wednesday evening, a dinner for guests and participants, allowed the clay community to have a chance to hear Malcolm talk about his practice.  It was so great!

WEDGING CLAY

Properly wedging clay was one of the key points that Malcolm wanted to get across.

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,

LUNCHES WITH MALCOLM

These lunches gave everyone a chance to talk about various issues in creating a career with ceramics.

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

MAKING TOOLS

Everyone got right into the power tools!

SPRAYING GLAZES FOR THE RAW FIRING

  • malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery,
    Intro to spraying glazes

FIRING RESULTS

For me, the raw firing of the pots was a first.  I also had never fired both kilns at the same time.  Thankfully, it all worked brilliantly!

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

malcolm greenwood workshop, marian williams pottery

Sorry for all the photos, but there are just so many good ones.  A week of brilliance with a Master and a beautiful group of people allows one to see and photograph many wonderful things.  I hope that you enjoy them.

So would we do it again?  Too soon to say, but you can get on a waiting list by contacting me…just in case…you wouldn’t want to miss it.

Peace Out!

Marian

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