Experimenting with Cone 6

Well - not sure what to think. I did some new things this load. First of all I raised my kiln temp from cone 5 to cone 6. I was hoping to cause my glazes to run a little more.(They didn't') Most of this load should be shades of blue. My seamist didn't like the raise in temp and turned mustard yellow. My Turquoise turned a faded light green. I was happy with the new dark blue. It turns beautiful shades of blue when overlapped with other colors. I was hoping that at least one piece would come out all blue so that I could photograph it for the Monochromatic Show advertising. I need it by August 1st. I should have another load done by next week, so I will cross my fingers.

I am getting ready for the Myrtle Beach show coming up in a few weeks. I have been photographing, pricing and packing up all the pieces that have been made since my last show in May. I have also been painting my shelves and crates black to go better with the black cloth background that goes behind my display.

Of Earth & Beauty Exhibition

Last night was the Of Earth and Beauty Exhibition at the Mint Hill Arts Center. I had entered 5 pieces in the clay portion of the exhibition. The paintings were all done by Virginia Dauth. There was a raffle for two small paintings of hers, with the money raised going to a new air conditioning unit. The painting I am holding up is the one I won. It was called Wildflowers. I was so excited. It was nice visiting with other local potters, most of whom I know through Carolina Claymatters Guild. The Mint Hill Arts Center had a very nice Gallery, so if you every need a gift for someone special consider checking it out. There are monthly exhibitions, as well as a lovely gift shop. I noticed that one of five bowls placed in the gift shop had already been sold, so I plan on bringing in more pieces periodically. If you would like to be included on my mailing list of events, please email me at jabdelaziz@carolina.rr.com.

Creative Day

I felt very creative today. The above photo shows a sugar and creamer I made. I got the inspiration for the creamer from a blown glass pitcher I saw last weekend in a Highland's gift shop. The tool is new as well and has 4 different attachments. This one is the vine attachment. I also made an extra large bowl with looping handles that I very excited about.

Tonight is the Opening Reception at the Mint Hill Arts Center. I will give an update on how that goes, tomorrow.

New Pots

I unloaded the kiln last night and here is a photo of some of the pots. Later I am going to throw some more pieces for the Monocromatic show in September. I have to think of visually interesting pieces that will all be one color. I will probably use the blue glazes to acheive this. I got some new texture tools yesterday and I am excited to try them out as well.

Waterfalls

Went camping again. This time to Western North Carolina near Franklin. I have posted a photo of Cullusaja Falls, one of the six waterfalls we went to.

I haven't been working much in my studio this month, because my son is doing football conditioning 3 mornings a week, so by the time I finish busing him back and forth it is too hot to work in my studio. But, I will have new pieces out of my kiln tonight and should post some photos by tomorrow morning.

I have entered some pieces into an exhibition at the Mint Hill Art Gallery. The opening reception is this Friday, July 10th, from 7-9pm. Maybe I will see you there. The exhibition runs through August 6th. I have also placed some small bowls in the gift shop and will place new items there periodically.

Camping

This weekend we went camping at Bandit's Roost campground near Wilkesboro, NC. The photo above is taken from the top of Stone Mountain. My son invited two of his friends. They fished, skipped rocks, slid down waterfalls and ate more smores than you can imagine. We had a great time and we plan on going camping again soon.

Wilkes Art Gallery Opening Reception

Last night I went to the Wilkes Art Gallery Opening Reception for the Claymatters Pottery Guild Exhibition. The exhibition lasts until August 1st and features works by potters from North and South Carolina. There are some very beautiful pieces. In the photo above I am standing next to one of five pieces I have on display. If you are in the area of North Wilkesboro this summer, you should check it out.

Today I started early and made some nice urns and some more brie bakers. My clay was very hard and it was more difficult than usual to center the clay. My kiln was ready to unload in the afternoon and this is one of the cookie jars. I may be crazy, but I really like the red and turquoise together.

Tonight is the reception for the Wilkes Art Gallery Exhibition that I have entered 5 pieces in. It is my first gallery showing and I am pretty excited. The exhibition runs until Aug 1st.

The Good, the bad and the UGLY

This is my son Jassim, who graduated from 8th grade today. This is also the haircut he insisted I give him if he achieved a 4 on at least 2 of his EOG tests. I don't know that I would barter for this.
This is an urn that got stuck to the kiln shelf. AGHHHH. I hate it when that happens.

This is the rest of the load. I made the cookie jar and appetizer plates for myself. There will be 6 more coming out of the next load. I have not any new pieces this week. Tomorrow I will do a glaze load and maybe I will get back to throwing on Friday.

I will let you wonder if the photos are good, bad or UGLY.