Images of mugs for sale, and other news

Hi all,

I know it’s been a while since a blog post, but here I am! I thought I might tell a little story about where and how I’m living these days, and promote some pots that I have for sale.


As some of you may know I’m living and working in Brasstown, NC where I’ve just started as the Clay Studio Coordinator for the John C. Campbell Folk School (link provided) I took a job here in 2019 as the Event and Volunteer Coordinator, helping to develop a volunteer program and taking over the annual Fall Festival, as well as a number of other events. Then, you know, COVID and 2020 and all that. In March we began working remotely here at the Folk School, and by June it was apparent that there would have to be some layoffs. Without the prospect of events for the remainder of the year, and with the school facing an 80% decrease in revenue, I was furloughed in July. AHHHHH!

Unemployed and barely settled here, I struggled with the next step, but through the generosity of locals and in combination with some part time work and federal funding I was able to stay on in Brasstown.

Soon enough the Folk School offered me another position for which I was well suited: The Clay Studio Coordinator. I’m happy to begin the position and help bring some life to the clay studio once the Folk School can safely open sometime next year.

Because of all of this and in spite of my own struggles I have somehow found the bandwidth to begin making pots, and I’ve been sharing some of those pots over on my Instagram page. You can check in on me over there, see some process shots, and find out about work for sale. blessings to you all and i hope you have a safe thanksgiving!

Summer is here! 2019

A few travels in the last couple months, camping in the Mountains of NC, a couple visits to the OBX and a trip up to Ohio. And a ballgame in Charlotte!

Spring!

It is nearly a perfect day here today in Seagrove. After a good rain yesterday the plants and flowers around the Center have sprung back to life. The birds and squirrels are active and vocal this morning.

 

 

 

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I've gotten the hanging planters bisqued and will be glazing them and loading up a cone six firing this evening! 

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Robbins Branch hike

Got out for a great hike yesterday!

The Robbins Branch trail in the Uwharrie Mountains is about 3 miles, looping down through some beautiful heavily wooded land.

What a gorgeous day! 

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Parkersburg Art Center Pottery Class

I know it's been a lonnnnnnnng time since I've posted to my Blog. 
Things have really changed in the last couple of years.
Anyway, I'll save you the details for another day, and skip to the business at hand!
I'm gearing up to teach a pottery class at the Parkersburg Art Center, in Parkersburg, WV.
I was hoiping to offer the class as sort of an alternative "advanced" class
but we will certainly accept beginners and advanced students alike!

Let me know if you'd be interested in the class, and I'll get you the details!
Or you can just click on the link to the Parkersburg Art Center!

Brush Valley Artists Open House


View Larger Map
This is the map I promised. Ned Wert is located in Brush Valley, just near the post office. My place is off of Luciusboro Road between Old Mission Road and Fire Academy Road, which is closed. From the south on 119 from Blairsville, you can find Luciusboro Road right off of 119. Just follow Lucisusboro all 5-6 miles to my place. From Johnstown on 56, stop at Neds first and he can help you find me! From Indiana, South Sixth St(Route954)ends at Rt.56, where you can turn left. Just at the base of the next hill, less than a mile will be signs for to turn right onto Old Mission Rd. Follow until you come to a stop, turn right and then keep your eyes peeled for the pottery in less than 1.5 miles.

Brush Valley Artists Open House


Come on out from 10-5 both Saturday and Sunday.
I'm working hard around the studio and the property to get things ready for your visit.



10lb planters, about 12" tall with the tray on top.


In the center of the above photo is an unfinished 20lb planter.


Just above are the 5lb planters.


This is the back stack of the kiln loaded up with 10lb planters.
Looking forward to the event.

Long time gone


It's been a while since I've posted, but I have been making and firing work. I have a permanent home for the light box setup now and a new sheet of background paper, as well as a replacement for the retired cybershot.


 The above mugs will hold about 8-10oz, standing 4" tall and 4" at the lip.



These vases are certainly inspired by historic shapes.
Check out this post of mine from earlier in the year. Sure took a long time to get those pots fired. wow. 
The gold one stands about 8.5" tall


I'm gearing up for another wood fired load of earthenware planters and other gardenware.
Pictures will be forthcoming 
Thanks for looking.

Cub Creek



Just wanted to share the link to the Cub Creek Foundation where I spent a couple years making pots and firing wood kilns with John Jessiman and met some great folks along the way, including friends such as Kala Stein, Kat Antis, Josh Manning, Ed Feldman and Michelle and John Williams.
We had the chance to work with Jack Troy, Donna Polseno, Sylvie Granatelli and others while I was a resident there. John has a great place in central VA for the ceramics community and I just wanted to give you all a chance to check it out!  

Pots and process



 Somethings up with the ol' cybershot. It looks like I took this pic from a galloping horse.Ugh.
On a lighter note, I have been thinking about my next firing, and I was trying to get it going by early Feb. But alas, I'm not gonna worry about it. When I'm ready, I'm ready.

Process. I like it. Every part of my life is some sort of process, from heating the house and studio with wood (and carting it out of the tundra on an old sled), to making coffee: grinding the beans, boiling the water, plunging the french press...I love the steps.

It took me a while to get started back making work after the Indiana County Potters Tour. It was a process. ha. I spent time in the woods cutting trees and making clay, etc. But I wasn't in the studio. Working none the less, but not making work. Then the holidays came and went, and I could avoid it no longer. With no excuses left, and no weather for trudging around in the woods, it was time to crank up the wood stove, grease the wheel and kick away.

After a week or so of throwing, the pots get better which is something I often forget. By the end of a cycle of pots, when I'm loading the kiln, I'll load in a pot that I've already moved beyond, an idea that came and went, an idea that I worked through or a form that could/should/would be made again, and more successfully. This firing, I'm going to give myself the time to return to those forms.

Keep in touch and I'll do the same.



Enjoying the snow and making work. Strap handles or ear handles, what do you think?


A batch of 9" plates to be stack fired.


Back to the frozen tundra!

Seeing the Forest for the Trees...




We had a couple of days of sunshine earlier in the week, which allowed me to gather up some windfall limbs around the property here in Brush Valley. It’s been a cold and snowy winter so far and I’ve been burning through the wood. So when we get a little break in the weather and some of that snow melts off, I like to get out in the woods. It gives me a chance to see the forest for the trees.

I realize how blessed I am to be here in the country(thank you Betty), living such a simple life. But it is very isolated and I really didn’t think I’d be here by myself. Occasionally I have to remind myself of why I’m here. Getting out in the woods helps.



Another post soon, and I’ll tell the story of how I ended up here in Brush Valley, but for now it’s back to the studio.