Akira Satake throwing a Chawan

Wheel in Prague

I've used wheels from different countries before, but I think I had the most difficulty with this one in Prague. There are two pedals: a gas and a break, which made for a weird tension while trying to stay focused on a piece.

Over the span of a week, I was able to produce a few pieces, trim, and then glaze them (they sent the pieces to me after they were fired). What struck me the most was their glazing techniques and the colors they used. They do some great pottery. Had a great time working in their studio.

Bowl: Blue on Black

Hole-y Bottle

Bowl: Red in Black

Design and Ceramics in Dieulefit

Bowl: Spoon

Faceted Vase

photo: dj gilder

Faceted and Raku fired

Techniques from Africa

"This video demonstrates the five major techniques used by potters in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria. The techniques include concave mold, convex mold, coiling, direct pull, and hammer and anvil. You can see Bwa, Jelly, and Mossi potters in Burkina Faso, the Ashanti potters in Kumasi Ghana, and Igbo and Yoruba potters in Nigeria. In addition there are two detailed videos of pottery firing."

Future challenge #1

source

Bowl

photo: dj gilder

Frosted Bowl

 

photo: dj gilder

I forget the names of the glazes and when I made this. 

Bowl

Spodumene Glaze

Bottle

photo: dj gilder

Contemporary Korean Ceramics

Lecture: Showcasing some work by contemporary ceramic artists



more here: http://koreanceramicart.blogspot.co.uk/

Bottle

photo: dj gilder

  

Mug: Yellow and Purple

photo: dj gilder

Forget when I made this, maybe 2010?

Double dipped - the bottom is cushing yellow, can't remember the name of the purple...

 

Tree and Swing; K-series: Mugs

Made in Prague, 2011

Making a bottle in Korea

 

photos: Katy Hugz

info: firing tips for saggar and raku

 "The saggar firing is more successful if the saggars are similar to the size and shape of your pot. A tall vase will require two elongated bowl shapes, or one very tall saggar with a shallow bowl lid. A small pot round pot needs a smaller round saggar. For the best results, allow at least an inch of air space between your saggar wall and the sides of your pot. The amount of air space on the top of the saggar is not as critical, and variations in space provide variations in your finished pot. Typically, you should have at least an inch to about 5 inches of space above the pot.

The walls of the saggar are thrown to about ¹/8 to ¼ of an inch thick. A consistent thickness throughout the saggar walls helps to prevent cracking during the firing process. Even so, the saggars will eventually crack. The crack can be patched with kiln cement and used until they completely fall apart. The saggars are bisque fired to cone 08–06."

More info here