Decorating pots for the KIln Opening

The kiln is cooling. I'll unload it Friday evening Just in time for this weekends opening October 27th and 28th at the studio on. I thought it would be nice to show you what the pots look like before they go in the kiln and what inspires me.

Wild cherry blossom bowl 

I've spent many, many hours painting and glazing late into the evening. I truly enjoy this part of the process. When I first began making pots I was afraid to touch the surface mastering glazes and form was challenge enough. Over the years though, some twenty now I have developed my own personal style and techniques for surface decoration.

Rabbit bowl

Today I use a combination on slip trailing and hand painting slips and glazes. For me inspiration comes from everywhere. I love old things they have a presence and soul that I can feel. Some of the first pots I felt a strong connection to and fell in  love with were early american redware, the pots of the Edgefield district in South Carolina, and of course North Carolina folk pottery. To this day they are still the foundation of my work. But as time has passed I see inspiration everywhere I look, in my every day surroundings, in nature,  the woods, in my field and the skies swirling clouds. I love textiles patterns, their repetitive nature, texture and warmth. I study many ancient cultures, Pre-columbian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean to name just a few. Though I never know where the next inspiration for my work will come from I do know my eyes are open to the endless possibilities...... you never know when that eureka moment comes along...... 

Apothecary Jars

Slip Trailed Plater

Bever bowl

The Fall Kiln Opening is this weekend!

At the Studio,

Saturday, October 27th 10am-5pm 
Sunday, October 28th 10am-5pm

Then the following weekend will be the first online sale in my new Etsy shop! Take look at the newsletter for more info. 
Online Kiln opening starts at 5pm Friday, November 2nd through Sunday November 4th, Im my Etsy shop. 

See you all soon!
-Blaine

One Amazing Morning

I woke up this morning, to one amazing day in the grove, I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise! I love living here, the people in this little community make the place. But the scenery and mornings like this are the icing on the cake! 

Hope you all had a wonderful and beautiful day wherever you might be in this little world of ours........ The sun rises and greets us all, just at different times place. But it's the same sun. Ever present, liking us all wherever we might be. 

-Blaine

By Example: NC Potters and Their Mentors

This is going to be an extraordinary show! I was so pleased to be invited to exhibit in it, Im very much looking forward to the opening! 

Hope to see you there!

It's at the,

• Greenhill Center for North Carolina Art

• Greensboro, North Carolina 

You can also read much more about it on the By Example  FaceBook page.

A man, a boy, a dog and beautiful pottery. A video about me.

My good friend Cynthia Marvin made an amazing video about me, my work and life. I think it came out great! Thanks so much Cynthia!


The story behind the pottery of Blaine Avery and his showroom in Seagrove, NC.

Cynthia has a video production company called, Pencarris Productions. Take a look at her website!

Out and about, on the road. The Pottery Fair on the Square.

This weekend May 19th from 9:30-5:00, I'll be in Old Salem at the Pottery Fair on the Square in Winston-Salem NC. I'm looking forward to it! I love old Salem! Some great pots, amazing old architecture and beautiful place to spend the day! what more could you ask for? (if you follow the link there's an image at the bottom of the page of some of my pot in the foreground behind them fellow Seagrove potter Bonnie Burns of the Great White Oak Gallery, See you there bonnie!)

Behind the Scenes Pottery Crawl

This was so much fun last year I an so looking forward to another fun filled day, for a great cause!

Come out for good cause and Join me for The Behind the Scenes Pottery Crawl, 2nd annual Benefit for Northern Moore Family Resource Center, Saturday May 12th 10am to 5pm.

Come out for some great food, demonstrations and what sure to be a fun filled day! Spend a fun-filled Saturday meeting the artists, touring their studios, and admiring their creations. Come check out 14 of our favorite potteries in a self-guided car tour. Each pottery will have a unique culinary delight with wine pairing (beef tenderloin on rounds of French bread, shrimp served with remoulade and red sauces, open-faced pork sliders, an elegant almond torte, to name a few), and demonstrations focusing on different aspects of the craft – from shaping at the wheel, to glazing, to firing techniques. Or you can roll up your sleeves and make a pot yourself.

The Northern Moore Family Resource Center (NMFRC) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization established in 1996 to serve children and families in northern Moore County, North Carolina. We help children in need succeed academically by offering, among other things, after school programs and summer camps. You can find out more about what the do here on there website.