Throwing clay.

Someone took some photos of me throwing some pots a few weeks ago. It's interesting to see photos of yourself in action! Must remember to relax; I looked like I was in pain.

Whipstick Forest.

Well, winter is over. Though yesterday it came back with a vengance, strong wind gusts and horizontal rain. But with springs first attempt last week I bought a compass and bravely set foot off the beaten track and into the wilds of the Whipstick Forest. It’s so rugged, but somehow beautiful. There are some simply breathtaking views, vibrant wild flowers and magnificent/majestic Eucalypts.

Australian Ceramists that inspire me.

Prue Venables

Victor Greenaway

The above vessel was made in Belgium at the Ateliar Cirkel in 2004. Victor calls it "Belgium Blue".

Chris Keenan

Gwyn Hanssen-Pigott

I love the simplicity of these pieces. They look so spontaneous/lively. As someone who has struggled with porcelain, I can tell you throwing porcelain on a wheel is akin to short pastry. It does not like being over worked, so you need to know what you’re doing. And I think it's safe to say these four know what they’re doing.

Garry Bish exhibition.

WOW!
I went to an exhibition at The Bendigo Art Gallery today.
Simply stunning. The shading is made from layering the word "space" over and over. The interior of the vessels have a lovely not quite gloss black. These interiors also have a lovely thrown line, to give just a hint of the makers mark.
The best pieces are not shown here, nor in the lovely catalogue I purchased.
Entry is free, or at most, a donation. The catalogue is a steal too at $5AUD.
I'm going again tomorrow. It's that good.
Well done Mr. Bish.

HEADSPACE: GARRY BISH

23 August - 19 October

Bendigo Art Gallery.

42 View St, Bendigo, VIC. Australia. 3550.

Following words from: http://www.bendigoartgallery.com.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=178&h=0

“This exhibition presents the work of locally based ceramic artist Garry Bish. Bish has recently completed his PhD at RMIT University and the work in this exhibition builds further on the ideas investigated during his doctoral research.In his work Bish shows a strong concern for an investigation of space, he interrogates the space between the painted pictorial image and the object on which it resides, the ‘between’ space. Bish believes the collaboration can promote a third composition, a synergy that inhabits the shadowy space between two and three dimensions – they are not quite one or the other. The artist says of his work: ‘I am preoccupied by the notion of space actual and inferred – the illusory space within the painted image, that enclosed by the vessel wall and the space the object occupies. More recent works develop the concept of space as a commodity, a finite resource, in a lateral mind game’”

Spring.

September 1st, 2008.
Spring is here at last!

Long time, no post.

It's been a while since my last post. Just goes to show that I'm a visual person. Without my camera, I have no voice.
So, my camera did not decide to heel itself, and I have not bought a new one yet! Am close to deciding on one though, just need to find the will to part with the cash! That will is getting stronger though, as the Acacia flowers get brighter.
The last couple of months have seen a near average rainfall in Bendigo, Victoria. That's heaps compared to the last ten years of crippling drought. So, the nearby Whipstick forest is alive with new growth. The understory that completely vanished through lack of rain is returning. And the colours are amazing. The silver grey to black of the Iron bark Eucalyptus framing the brilliant yellow of the Acacia blossom and shades of grey green leaves of both is simply stunning. I just look at it and feel inspired.
Only wish I had a camera to share it with you.

Altered vessel.

almost front view.

side view. spout on left side.

How do I describe this piece?
It's got a spout, but no handle.

You can use the groove to hold it securely.

Is it a jug or a pourer, or simply a vessel?

Perhaps an altered vessel?

Porcelain with some colour.

Two porcelain vessels from a heavy reduction firing. Only red iron oxide was used to achieve the various colours. The blue is an optical blue.

Stoneware bowl.

A good bowl for pumpkin soup. It's getting cold here in central Victoria.

Bowls and a plate.

My newest porcelain bowls. And a little plate!

Vessel with lip.

A new photo of an old fav.

"Itiko" tea cup.

This is a tea cup with an iron oxide slip on the rim. The slip is made from the stoneware clay I dug from the ground (70%) some potash feldspar and whiting with a little red iron oxide make up the remaining 30%. The whiting and Potash feldspar lower the melting temp. of the stoneware clay, so it melts like a gaze.

Old cameras go on forever.

I was hoping my camera would return from long service (4 years of faithful work) leave. But, it seems it has decided to retire to the camera museum. Interestingly in my museum of family cameras, the oldest ones still work. There are 3 Kodak cameras; a SIX-20 "BROWNIE" C, Brownie Junior 620 and a junior 616 that has a bellows lens. Similar to the 616 is an Ensign selfix 420 also written on it is "EPSILON" is this related to "Epson". Must Wikipedia that.
They all use 120 roll film, still available. One camera has a roll still in it. I discovered that to my surprise, and quickly closed it. Now I can't remember which one it was. I will open them again one day in a dark room. It would be quite exciting to process it!

Whipstick indigenous plants.

Does anyone want to give me some money for a Canon EOS 450D? I think I'll be saving up for that as a replacement for my doomed Ixus.

Last photo's/post, for a while.

My camera died today! These are cropped versions of the last photos, taken in my garden this morning. It was my favourite little camera, a Canon IXUS 500. I tried to buy a new battery for it last year in London, and the person behind the counter almost laughed. Said that's a very old camera, (bought in 2004) try eBay. So am I supposed to only expect 4 years service from a digital camera? Give me back my Canon EOS 630 with a roll of 35mm film. That camera never had a problem, and I even made a profit on the sale price.

Kangaroos and a reduction firing.

I had four kilns going today. The Raku kiln outside had some lamb bones sintering at 680 deg. c. But I thought it wise not to upload the photos. I'm going to make some bone china. The bones are from the paddocks of a farm. Denis collected them; so nothing gruesome, just all natural/organic.
Inside I had a gas kiln doing a reduction firing to 1280 deg. c. and two electric kilns doing a bisque fire. So, lots to attend to today. Also made some more filter pressed clay; or should I say Denis did, I did scarcely anything to help.
At lunchtime a mob of roos visited the studio. I think they enjoy the new patch of green grass. We’ve had some regular rain over the last month. Is the 8+ year drought coming to its end? Crossed fingers, lets hope.

Sophie Milne's wonderfully thrown vessels.

One of Sophie's refreshment sets in charcoal. You can see the real thing at Craft Victoria etc. Visit www.sophiemilneceramics.com for more info.

Etsy.

I've just set up my etsy shop!
Pictured is my first item for sale on it.
My new general purpose bowl. Weighs 185 grams and holds 275mls.
102mm wide at rim x 62mmh. You can buy as many as you want on etsy.
As they are hand made on a potter’s wheel, they vary slightly.

Fairfield Industrial Dog Object (FIDO)

"By Alistair Knox, Ian Sinclair, Jacki Staude and David Davies.

Through the use of sensors and digital controls, FIDO talks to passers by, wags its tail, wiggles its ears and lights up at night.The materials used, the form and the interactive nature of this monumental work were chosen specifically to respond to the friendliness and vitality of Fairfield Village and enhance the sense of community for this dog-loving precinct.Location: Fairfield"

http://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?Page_id=5280

I went to Melbourne/Fairfield to see a man about a dog. Lol!I went to town again this week. It's cold in Melbourne! So, another trip on the train, but with success this time. Though returning Friday night meant a full train. I was fortunate to have booked my seat though. So, reserved seat, lucky.