NC Crafts Gallery Show

Im delivering pots this week for the opening of my show at NC Crafts Gallery, Carrboro, NC. I will have a great selection of Salt glazed and Ash glazed pots.
The show runs January 2nd to 31st with the opening reception Friday January 14 6pm-9pm, during the friday night art walk.
I'll be there!!! Hope you can too!




In other new Judson and I had a great christmas, got home a day late because on the snow but,
the roads are all clear and Im all shoveled out and open for post Christmas shopping!
So come on out! It's beautiful out there!

Little vases

I just shipped out a new batch of little vases to the NC Museum of Art store, then I was looking through the last issue of The Independent (that's the free art news paper for the Raleigh-Durham area). And what to my wondering eyes should appear?
But a picture and add for them in the gift giving guide..... (and eight tiny reindeer) hehehe!!!!!

One Great Saturday

Saturday was great I had a great turn out and sales were great too! Thanks to everyone that came out! Those of you that called and emailed. Your pots will be shipping out latter this week.
Im still here in the studio working away, shop open. With some great pots and tiles left manny just right for christmas gifts for your self or someone else. Im working on some special order tiles and dinnerware. I will be open if your still doing some Christmas shopping.

Now I'm on to the next big thing! Im working on getting tiles completed for The Randolph County HOSPICE. They are installing a tiles next to each door plaque for every door in there new building! There are a total of 72 tiles one for each door, in Six different colors. Im looking forward to seeing them all installed, the first 34 tiles will be installed this week just in time for there open house on December 12th.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow....

Yes I hope some of you can make it out for the Big Sale tomorrow. I'll be here holding down the fort. Looking forward to seeing everyone old and new this cold weather has got me thinking about Christmas! I need to start decorating for it! I get the Christmas spirit a little late such a busy time of year, for me just starting to slow down. Now on to some Custom dinner ware and custom tile for the Randolph County HOSPICE, more on that latter!

Saturday Sale, life's getting in the way

Im still getting ready for the sale on this saturday December 4th, I know I should be further ahead buy now but you know how life gets in the way?
I had a Sick little boy to attend to today Judson stayed home sick, strep throat again. He had it a few weeks ago and then I think caught it again at daycare.
So now I'm way behind and Just a few days ago I was ahead? So tomorrow is going to be one of those better get it done days! One last load of tiles to fire before Saturday I need to finish glazing them all load the kiln and have it started buy the afternoon...... This all was on the schedule for today but there was no way it was happening with the sick little boy home today. It's a good thing he's cute!
On the bright side I think I can get everything finished but the tiles may be a little warm unloading them late friday evening. I always seem to get behind before an event usually its for reasons like I want to make a few more pots a different shape or style then last time. Or Im in the groove on glazing and decorating that I am so enjoying where its all going letting the creativity flow with new Ideas popping in my head, I want to take the time to see them and let them flow freely seeing where it all leads. So Im spending more and more time on each piece and I get behind working late tired but so, so happy. :-)
This time its Just a little bit of life getting in the way but Im so enjoying that too!

Nine Toes Pottery

I wanted to mention that my fellow potter and all around great guy Ronan Kyle Peterson is having his 5th Annual Open Studio and Holiday Sale. He's got a great studio in Chapel Hill its definitely worth checking out. His work is very unique and distinctive with an individual style all his own. Stroll on over to his blog and check it out. Its this weekend too! So much going on in the pottery world this weekend. Such a fun time of the year!

Im feeling the Buzz of December 4th coming!

I have Got some great pots and load of tiles coming out before the weekend. Not only am I having a Sale but there's lots going on here in Seagrove! There are several other kiln openings on the fourth of december, as if you needed another reason to come and see me? But there are several great reasons not to miss this saturday. Chris Luther Pottery, Thomas Pottery, Jugtown Pottery, Bull dog and Westmoore Pottery are all having openings.
So remember this holiday season.......

Want to know about the studio sale?

Studio Sale
December 4th 9am- 5pm
come on out for your Christmas shopping forget about the mall!!
Sign up for my Emil list to find out more.... The sign up sheet is on the right side of the blog. I'll be sending out an email with something special, Just for my digital customers the first of the week. So sign up now!!!!

Thanksgiving weekend.

Hope to see some of you out buying the perfect gift this Thanksgiving weekend, What may you ask is perfect gift? Well Pottery of course!! My Shop shop will be open so, come to Seagrove avoid the Mall and enjoy a ride out to the beautiful country for a relaxing day!!

I always get calls asking if I'll be open Thanksgiving weekend and the answer is yes! I will be open.
Forget the mall who wants to go there? Enjoy a ride out to the beautiful country for a relaxing day of Shopping local!! My hours are Friday the 26th 10-5 Saturday the 27th 10-5 Sunday the 28th 12-4

Seagrove Celebration

Well its all over, The Celebration of Seagrove Potters. There was a great turnout and sales too! Thanks to everyone that came out. Saw some old friends and got to visit with some of the other potters at the end of the day Sunday when things slowed down, that was great! We never seem to get much time to do that especially this time of year when were all so busy. So here's a few pictures of my booth full of people and the aisles packed with people too.
It was a great weekend!!

Gloating

There was a nice article in the the Winston Salem journal yesterday, and guess who's shop is the front page picture of the article?
Yep humble gloating me!! Check it out its a nice little wright up on Seagrove and the Celebration this weekend.

This weekend.... what"s been going on

Well this weekend is the Celebration of Seagrove Potters November 19-21. I know I haven't blogged in awhile, So where have I been? Right hear working my tail off!! Between keeping up with the little boy and making pots its been a crazy month or more.
Fired I salt glaze kiln a few days ago and an ash glazed kiln load too oh, and don't forget the a load of tiles......
So I've been right here working, working and a little more you know working! It's been fun but draining all at the same time the pressure of a deadline gets me motivated and the creative juices flowing I get so much done and while its exhausting at times I enjoy the rhythm and pressure. But Im glad to be at the end of this work cycle.
Set up is tomorrow then there's a Gala friday night and then it all day Saturday and Sunday.
My Mom and Step-Dad came in to town the other day to help out I don't know if I could have gotten it all done with out them Mom's great with Judson and gave me a break so to speak the last few days so I could finnish everything up. I Am so grateful for there help. Mom will me watching the shop over the weekend while Dan and I will be at the show.
I'll be sending out a email soon of things going on in December and January so if you haven't signed up for my email list do so there's a signed up sheet on the right side of the blog.
Hope to see you this weekend!!

North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesNature Art Gallery

I"ll have some pots at the the North Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesNature Art Gallery in conjunction with this show.
Check out the e-card nice fish platter!!!

Fall Kiln Opening, Ready to go!

Here are a few images of us cleaning up the shop and studio as I get ready for the weekend. My Mom and step dad Papa Dan, that's what Judson calls him came to help. I'm so glad they did, I couldn't have done it with out them. Last thing to do is snatch some hot tea pots out of a hot kiln in the morning, nothing like waiting to the last minute right! Thats a potter for you I think its in our genetics.
Judson's very excited he wants to help so bad!! So at this years kiln opening pottery tour's will be given by Judson Avery. He can't wait!!
Right now I'm off to bed for a good nights rest, after some long days and nights in the studio. I'm so Tired, I think you can see it in the picture of Judson and I
Hope to see you this weekend!
-Blaine

Fall Kiln Opening

So if you haven't heard..... October 16-17 is my Fall Kiln Opening! Here's the link to the email I sent out the other day to my mailing list.... and if you haven't signed up for you mailing list please do. There's link on the right side of my blog, and you'll get a few emails a year, find out about things going on like special events, sales and advanced previews before openings. So what are you waiting for? Go on and do it you know you want to!! You wont regret it, I promise!!

Finding Your Self

I got back from the mint the other week had a great show but got into a funk with a bit of a cold. But there's always a little bit of a let down no matter how great everything goes, the kiln firing, the show and the end of a work cycle. I think its just the artists critical eye, over thinking, being a little to critical of ones self and the ending of a cycle and beginning another. It happens every time I finish a big work cycle but give me a day or two and Im back on track. I think i just need time to process everything and not let the few little things that didn't go just the way I wanted to overshadow a great firing (I think its the best I'v had) and a great show at THE MINT put on buy some great folks!

In other news I found myself the other day!!! Drove out to BLAIE North Carolina its right next door in the uwharrie national forest. I just had to take a picture growing up I never new anyone else named Blaine always liked my name but on the rare occasion ever Id meet someone I was so amazed and thrilled now it seems Im almost home. :-)

See You At The Mint?

Check out this wright up in the charlotte observer
N.C.'s finest potters will show and sell
Market is fundraiser for Mint Museum, which is hosting Saturday event.
I'll be there amongst the finest!!!

A little late night decorating

I've been working late every night this week decorating. Here's a litlte bit of what I've been up to,


Rabbits with an attitude, I think there up to something!


Dancing turtle platter, this ones in porcelain been working with some lately.


Bull bowls in process, their sort of like a batik outlined it in wax, then I apply colored slip the bull and carve the detail. The one on the left is the before and the one on the right is the finished colored and carved


Long nose gar fish decorated with the same process


I've decorated so many pots this week this just a few. This last one was so much fun it just hit me from some where in the back of my mind. (I love the refined clean lines the dot in the middle is a new glaze and red! Can you fell me?) I didn't have to think at all it just flowed out from my hands to the brush, freely in an instant. It feels so good when the creative process happens that way, It made me think of the earlier post and what Elizabeth Gilbert had to say on the subject. Was I in control with past experiences and thoughts all coming together in an instant with my mind working freely with out thought? Did I have control of it at all? Or is there a greater power working through me or with me when an experience like that happens? A muse maybe? Well I already have one of those, I'll have to ask her!
I love the design its so simple yet refined I think it may be reminiscent of some native american anasazi pottery but I didn't think that while I was painting it was only until I stepped back moments latter that I saw the connection


Thats it for now. All these pots will be going in the Salt kiln over the weekend fired then packed up and heading down to Charlotte for the Mint Museum Potters Market Invitational. I'm going to have some great ones!! Hope some of you can come out to this great event.

More about the turtles...

So there all put together, carved sculpted and drying I had so much fun making them! I started making turtles years ago when I was teaching children they inspired me to. As a matter a fact the kids I was teaching were exactly the same age my son Judson is now. Those kids inspired me to think about my work differently. I was always so serious and didn't have fun with my work, I did then and still sometimes take my work a little to seriously. This is something I am always trying to not do to much I mean yes you have to to a point but if your not having fun with your work than what's the point? I always said I would rather pump gas at a gas station if I couldn't do what i loved (so forget for the minute that all the gas stations are self-serve and there's not future there for me) I guess my point is there has to be a little playfulness and fun in what I do too to make it the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning excited about what the day will bring. But back to those kids that helped me step back and look at creating in a fun care free way. Well now I got one of my own and he inspires me every day and makes me think about art, life and the way the world works. He dose all this just buy getting up in the morning, questioning things and going at life in a free way never saying i can't do that. Its more like this is how Im going to do that and make it work no mater what and all the while enjoying every minute. I love what the brings it to my life it reminds me not to take me, my work and life so serious, know its going to be ok, it will all work out and have a little fun along the way knowing that. Hey there an art to having fun and fun in creating art too.

One of the largest turtles will be going up at the live auction at the Zoo to Do on Saturday September 11th, so go out and bid if you can and bring some of the care freeness of the intrepid turtle home with you. He's at home where ever he is he carries it on his back where ever he goes, I like that about him too!
And yes all my turtles are sticking their tongues out, turtles have then you know....

6th Annual Potters Market Invitational

I've been getting ready for this show for the past few months check out this article on the Potters Market Invitational on the Carolina Arts Unleashed wedsite I am so looking forward to going back there this year. The market is the best place to see what's going on in North Caroling pottery today. it is the finest cross section of the diversity we have in this great clay state. Hope to see you at the Market!

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com
I really liked Eat , Pray, Love OK there I said it! and I'm a guy I know but I like the way Elizabeth Gilbert thinks and writes. I also enjoyed her thoughts on creativity in this short monologue.

Working late on a beautiful night

The air is cool and thick with that humidity that hangs in the air in central North Carolina this time of year, its cooler than usual for a late August night. A night like tonight just made me want to savor every moment while the crickets and frogs music kept me company as I worked to well after midnight. Under the glow of a bright moon you can feel the calmness of the night, there's something about it that centers me in the moment.

Turtles!!

OK so I know they don't look like much now but they are in fact turtles. When I make them they are all up side down then after there bellies are on and they dry a little bit I can flip them and do the carving and sculpting of the faces. They are so much fun to make!! I feel connected to every one the make. They make me feel like a kid again. I think thats why I make them, Im smiling inside when Im working on them, that and I think in a past life I was a turtle....
I'l post some more pictures as the progress continues.

Mixin' clay

I spent the day mixing clay. I usually use my blunger, make slip then let it dry in wooden forms with wire mesh on the bottom in a cloth sheet. Then it takes two to four weeks until the clay dries out to a workable constancy (this depends lot on the wether). But I'm in a time crunch with the Mint Museum Pottery market approaching I needed some more clay and I needed it now. So I am again so glad I live here in the Grove with helpful neighbors willing to lend there clay mixer. This morning I loaded up my truck and drove on down the road mixed about 800 pounds of clay some for tiles and some for throwing. And now Im set for a bit. I'll mix slip in the next few weeks so I can stay on track and a little ahead so then maybe I wont have to take my clay for a drive around the neighborhood!

In print

The new book by Angelica Pozo Surfaces Glazes & Firing is out and there is a nice image of my work in it!! I called the grouping of bowls "mess of bowls" its in the slip gallery.
I used to do quite a bit of slip trailing, lately I have been painting more and more but looking at this image I have a hankerin' for throwing some slip on some pots! I thing I need to get messy soon with some wonderful fluid slip trailing, boy do I make a mess when I work with slip and its so much fun too!

Potters for peace

The sale for the Seagrove Potters for Peace was on saturday, I made 25 tea mugs I still have several left. I will have them in the shop until the are gone. Check out the website to find out more and if anyone would like one I would be glad to ship one or more. Just give me a call or drop buy the shop if your in the area. This is a great cause so do what you can and get a great mug for $20 and help the cause.

Seagrove Potters for Peace

I along with twenty four Seagrove area potteries will be hosting the Seagrove Potters for Peace a fundraiser for Greg Mortenson's Central Asia Institute. Which builds schools in remote, impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan as a long-term solution to terrorism. Each pottery has produce a unique item, specially signed for this event. The pottery will be for sale at the individual shops on Saturday, August 14 from 9am to 5pm. Some potteries will also have copies of Mortenson's books for sale.

For the event this year I have made 25 mugs that are inscribed, "SPP"(Seagrove Potters for Peace) and stamped with a peace sign. The mugs are $20 each of which 50% of the sales will be donated to help Greg Mortenson build schools. There will be no early sales, but any remaining items can be ordered by email or telephone on Tuesday, August 17.

Where have you been......

Yep I'm right here been a slacker of the blog though, I'll be posting some things to catch up a bit of what's been going on. The picture is of the 150 mini bottles I made for the North Carolina Museum of Art store in Raleigh I delivered them weeks ago they are only available the the museum and are stamped NCMA-AVERY. I have some new glazes that I used on them I'm loving the key lime green on the far end of the table and the eggplant purple on the front of the table, what you you all think? I also brought them some of my larger one of a kind hand painted pieces. It was my first visit to the newly constructed Museum it was well worth the trip.

Firing the kin tonight..

Yep Im firing the kiln getting ready for the the Larkspur Party in Raleigh NC, I'll have lots of bird houses and some new bird baths that i've been working on, can't wait to see how they look after the firing!! It's june 5th and 6th. I've been doing this show for almost fifteen years now its lots of fun, I do hope some of you can make It!!! Cant wait to see you there!!

Advertising 101

So I have been working on this since December. I was just going to call the guy at the NCDOT again to check on what's been taking so long and then on the way home from dropping Judson of at day care looked up and there it was my sign!!! So Im now 1.6 miles from here and a little lighter in the pockets for now, but I got a bright new sign and I share a post with two nice shops down the road from me. I'm feeling a little blue now but in this case its a good thing! Thats all from the the Grove.....

At the Library

So I have made it, Im right behind the counter a the Randolph county Library in Asheboro nc for the next two mouths. So come check it out!! Its my local 15 minutes if you know what I mean?

Sex advice??

Now that I've got your attention, I was recently reading Dan traveling's Blog and I saw a post for suggestions for places to see in New England. So I recommended The Vermont Country Store I went there years ago and Had a great time. Now apparently..... well you'll have to read Dan's post to get the just of it. But I don't think its the same old store that it use to be!!!

A few pictures from Rosedale

I had a great time at the Historic Rosedale Plantation for The Art of craft event there were several potters from Seagrove along with potters and crafts people from around the state. Here is a picture of Michael Mahan his wife mary on the right and Crystal king in the middle.
and It was nice to see Angie Williams there too Angie took my workshop a claymakers last year it was great to see her and her wonderful pots.
I was so happy to be sitting right next to Dean and Martin pottery Stephanie Martin and her mother were right next to me all day long and made the day fly buy it was so great to have them for company.

The Art of Craft

Im heading out in the morning to the Queen city! For those of you on the outside or not living in a North Carolina state of mind, I'm talking about The Big City of Charlotte! Im heading on over the the Historic Rosedale Plantation for The Art of craft if your in the area on saturday head on over it should be a fun day!

Arts on The Green

Heading up to the Chapel Hill area this Saturday!! Getting out of the grove to the big Hill!! Looking forward to it!
Arts on The Green

I Could have told you that......

Guess what the folks at Gadling rated Seagrove as one of six great North Carolina Sights Well like I said I could have told you that!! Come check it out Im sure you'll agree!! And before you come be sure to check out the two great websites, discover seagrove and the heart of northcarolina.

KIln Opening Pictures

I just posted pictures of some of the pots from the Kiln Opening this weekend check it out. The album is on my facebook fan page and if your not a fan become one I'll be posting special offers just for my facebook fans in the future. I had a incredible sale huge tun out and sold lots of great pots! Thanks to everyone that made it out. I still have some great ones left so come on out to the shop when you can, now I'm off for some much needed rest!

Im in the News....

There were two Newspaper Articles in the last few days about the spring Kin Opening here in Seagrove N.C. One in the Asheboro paper the Courier-Tribune and the other in the Raleigh paper the News and Observer. I was mentioned and quoted in both of them so check them out!

sportin' a new driveway

Just in time for the big weekend!! For those of you that have been out to my place you know the 1/4 mile long driveway can get a little rough from time to time. So after all the rain and snow this winter I wanted to have the road cleaned up for the big weekend. So next time your heading down the drive please drive slowly it will help keep it nice and spiffy!! Judson and I had a great time playing on the motor grader man oh man I wish I had the key we could of had some real fun.....See y'all soon.....