You rock Dad

I had a great weekend, several firsts with judson, lets see catching fireflies that was a blast! brings back so many memories from childhood, riding on a motorboat with grandpa, Judson and I went out for a short ride he kept asking grandpa to go faster but then he was ready to get out of the boat. but he did great and had fun. So we let grandpa go for a ride on his own for a little and we went fishing from the shore haven't done that either. This was the best fathers day so far at three years old he is now starting to understand what it means and really getting into it. But the best part was my gift he made for me at daycare, the koolest rock ever! Well he didn't make the rock but he did a great job painting it and I got a sailboat card that he made too. Check out the picture of the rock I love it! It makes me smile. Oh and we also had some friends over for dinner one night Judson loves company! a very busy weekend!

I just got back from a 15 mi. bike ride, its getting to hot to ride in the evening. now I'm off to glaze pots and pack order to a gallery. Then I am knocking off a little early to go that show at Cedar Creek Gallery, Art of the State
North Carolina in Creedmoor NC. Hope to see some of you there, Its going to be fun, You got to get out of the Grove every now and then.......

Unloading the kiln

Judson and I unloaded the kiln this morning he has never helped before he really got in to it, like all kids he was fascinated buy the cone packs. He was a big help though It was fun, when I rolled the door open he said "ooh pretty pottery daddy!!" and he was right the kiln fired nicely, I only put a few pieces of shino in with slip trailing afraid that they may not come out but they looked great! The other ash glazes flowed nicely and I only lost a few pots I need to adjust the bag wall a little and work on the door seal something is not lining up just right but I think the kiln is a success. I'll be working on glazing a an order for a galley and some dinnerware that a nice lady has been waiting way too long for but I was afraid to put it in the first firing of the rebuilt kiln so I will get it finished this week.

Art of The State North Carolina Treasures

I have sent some work up to a show at Cedar Creek Gallery its called, Art of The State North Carolina Treasures I think it is going to be an incredible show. As many of you may know I started out there apprenticing for the owner Sid Oakley and then maintained a studio there for a number of years before moving to Seagrove, so this place has a real special place in my heart and it is truly a world class gallery. I am honored to have been included in the show and am planing on attending the reception this friday june 12th hope to see some of you there.
cheers
Blaine

I just peeked in the kiln........

I just cracked the kiln door and it looks great I got it pretty hot in there cone 12 in some parts and firing the ash glazes on a little thick, It looks JUICY!!! the few shino pots in there look great too!! Wooohoooo!!!! Think it will be a good firing I don't know if I will be able to unload tonight or in the morning its still really hot it will probably be in the morning....
I had a great day today judson and I went to meet some friends for lunch and I think we both had a lots of fun.... now its time to cook some supper, I'll post some pictures of the pots tomorrow. I can't wait to unload the kiln!! Most of the pots are going in the shop, some to a gallery mark of the potter and the next load latter this week are for some special orders and to another gallery the village craftsmen

first firing

Today I was reminded of the first year I moved to Seagrove little things kept popping up in my head all day long, part of it was the obvious connection, building the kiln and the first firing its a big deal a real milestone and part of it has to do with the great community we have here.
When I first opened up the shop one of the first potters that stopped in was Tom Gray what a big help he was. Firing the kiln tonight i stated thinking about the first night firing and Tom giving me a hand so as he said " didn't screw up the hole load". My kiln is a slight variation of Tom's mostly I took his advice and made changes to the design of his kiln and then I have made a few of my own in the rebuilding this time.
Well i had to call on Tom again with this firing I knew what I was doing now but wouldn't you know it my pyrometer crapped out at about 1500 degrees so I gave tom a call and he loaned me his for the day... Thats one of the great things about the seagrove you can always count on your neighbors here.
There are lots of other thoughts I have about the firing today, seagrove and every thing thats been going on lately but I'm tired now maybe I'll add some latter, for now thanks Tom!!
I'll leave you with a few images of the firing at night..... goodnight all