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

Plate

photo: dj gilder

Saggar  Soda firing

Milk and Cookies mug

photo: dj gilder

Can't remember exactly when I made this one either, nor do I remember which glazes I used.

But it was a challenge presented to me. Had fun making it.  

I called it "milk and cookies" even though I have crackers in there. 

raku bottle

photo: dj gilder

Bottle thrown then carved.

Raku fired with a mixed sand glaze

Height: appx. 6-7 in.

info: Making a living as a potter

Diana Fayt says:

"I sell my work through a multitude of venues. I have an online shop where I sell directly to customers. This has broadened my spectrum of buyers to a world market. It also helps to supplement my income, since I can sell my work for retail prices. I love having direct contact with my customers as well. The relationship aspect of selling my work, without a middle person, is really wonderful and I enjoy knowing where my work is going. I participate in a couple of local craft shows each year, and I host annual studio and holiday sales. I sell my work in galleries and participate in as many shows as I can handle. I find showing my work really helps it to stay fresh. In the past, a large part of my sales were from wholesaling my work, though that model is really tough to pull off with one-of-a-kind handmade work. I find the time it takes to make the work, handle all the details that must go into creating a wholesale line-like keeping up with communication and paperwork-is far too much work and really does not pay off.

[...]

If I were to advise someone about pursuing a career in ceramics, the first bit would be to remain flexible yet focused. Though my work stays consistent, I find that I am constantly re-inventing myself in order to make a living with it. I do my best to keep an open mind about this. There really are a multitude of possibilities out there for one to have a career as a ceramist. Being too precious or limited in ones thinking can kill that dream."

Source: advice from the experts

 

Hive

photo: dj gilder

Thrown bottle and then carved to give it this texture.

Stands about 7-8 inches I think

Made around 2008-09, maybe 2007

Always thought I should try and make a bigger version. The 15-20% shrink from wet to glazed form took away some of its intended effect.   

Black 'n Pink

Before:

 

After:

photo: dj gilder

The bottle is raku fired and stands about 6 inches.

The bottom part of the bottle is glazed in a crackle type glaze (I forget the exact name)

The top is without any glaze, which comes out black. 

It was then soaked in baby oil to give it the glossy look. I glued the pebble on. The paint is acrylic, the rose is real, dried, painted and sprayed with acrylic gloss. 

Made sometime between 06-08 I think  

Eucalyptus and a Green Rose

 

photos: dj gilder

Don't quite remember when I made the bottle. 

Thrown on the wheel then carved to give it texture, then glazed in AA Copper.

The rose is dried and painted with acrylic.  

Bottle

Pardon the dust >.<
This piece stands at about 12 inches.
Carved and stained with Red-Iron Oxide

Faceted Vase

photo: dj gilder

Raku firing
I forget the name of the glaze
Stands about 10 inches
Made in 2001?

Gods' kleenex: Kiln Snot

phot: dj gilder

Apparently this is what happens when the Fire gods of the Kiln blow their nose in a bowl.

This was also done in a saggar soda firing
don't remember the glazes, I think I used two different kinds
the bowl is about 15 inches in diameter
made in 2009 or so

Plate - fingers

photo: dj gilder

Saggar Soda firing
About 11-12 inches in diameter
Don't remember the glaze I used
made around the same time as the other plates

Plate - Slash n Kiss

photo: dj gilder

Saggar Soda firing
I forget the glaze
Approximately 7-8 inches in diameter
Made in 2008-09 (I think...)

Did achieve the desired effect here with slashing and the kisses were a pleasant surprise. Definitely consider this one more successful than the previous plate.

Plate - Slash n Sneeze

photo: dj gilder

Saggar Soda firing
I forget the glaze
Approximately 7-8 inches in diameter
Made in 2008-09 (I think...)

I didn't quite get the effect I wanted to with the slashing and the kiln sneeze was unexpected - not too sure what it does for the piece but I'll leave that for interpretation. 

Sun-kissed plate

photo: dj gilder

No glaze (I think) - Saggar Soda? firing
Approximately 10 inches in diameter
Forget when I made this - I'm thinkin around 2008-9

Dripped expansion

photo: dj gilder

I forget the name of the glaze, it might have been Spodumene

dripped a second glaze - Matt White I think

expanded form

Cone 10

A series of Teacups

 

 All photos credit dj gilder

  
All teacups are designed such that the outer layer provides insulation to the cup