February '09 firing

72 hours of burning 2 cords of wood (a mix of oak, yew, cedar, and fir) 2 days of sleeping and eating afterwards, and I was unpacking some pretty interesting looking pots. I feel like the effects work better with the forms this time around; now I'm not sure yet if that's because the forms have morphed a bit, or if it's because the firing has improved (this being the 5th firing,) or a combination of the two........ probably the latter, regardless, I'm having a great time cleaning and investigating each one. I think next time I'll seal out oxygen while it cools and go for the more matte surfaces, for pleasure and to see more about what the cedar ash can do.
The above pics are a few pots I'm really diggin' for the moment and the chimney at fire-off.

FLOOD WATERS = SURFS UP!

My friend Corey Adams invited me to come check out an afternoon of surfing with him and his buddies....... on the river. The yamhill river is at flood stage warnings so it's sure to be an epic day.
click here for video

Randy Selede's sculpture inspired by "timbertown" willimina, OR

31 hr anagama

1 cord of wood and 31 hours later; greenware to 2400 F. Some pretty interesting results, though I have some ideas on how to mix it up next time.
Coming Oct. 3,4,5 and 10, 11, 12 the Art Harvest Studio Tour. 39 artists in yamhill county open their studios and homes to the public, so come on down to the wine valley and check us out.

3:30 am

Sometimes sleep happens when it should and sometimes it should but doesn't. This morning I'm greeted by two owls chatting and our night blooming cyrus(?) this plant is truly amazing; it blooms only at night and for one night only, with an aroma that is so potent it borders overwhelming and invasive. The flowers are appx 6" diameter.
At this time of night it's a good time to be a potter; reading would probably scare the hell out me right now as I'm reading "The omnivore's dilemma", watching t.v. just isn't an option, so I reckon I'll put on another espresso and go out to the workshop and keep making tea bowls. I can't seem to stop making tea bowls and they seem to be getting bigger and bigger; to the point that small birds would enjoy bathing in them, perhaps I'll see what I can do about making some for small children to bathe in.

FEELIN' RANDY.

This month the clouds have brought a gentleman named Randy Selede to the Aardvark; a quirky guy who's quiet but speaks quite quickly. He's started an installation in the horizontal forest with clay drain tiles, wood, soil, and plants. As it was nearing completion he looked at me and said " the clouds are shifting, I gotta go." With that he jumped in his '72 Riviera, said " not to worry, I'll be back" and headed west.

OUR LADY OF THE POPPIES

Ahhh, she truly is a beauty, no?

OUR GARDEN

spring green