Michael Simon Talk

The Michael Simon and Classmates talk hosted by the Northern Clay Center and University of Minnesota on March 13 is online here. It's close to 2 hours. Cheers!

Pots!

I've uploaded a bunch of new pots to my etsy page.

Here is a personal favorite.

Cheers!

New Pots!

Most of these pots are from the most recent firing in mid-February, the others are from the previous firing in January. I will be posting these and many others to my etsy page on Monday, they'll be up at 9am.

Jug...about 1/2 gallon.


Small lidded jar.

Teapot

Large serving bowl.

Small dish/bowl

Slab molded dish.

Dessert plate

Dessert plate

Mug, nice flashing on this guy.

I'm putting up about 6 yunomi on etsy.

Cheers!

Nic Collins

Cheers!

The Gray Area.

I was really excited about the book that goes along with Michael Simon's exhibition at the Northern Clay Center but was very bummed that I wasn't able to get a copy of it...yet. (By the way...if you're at NCECA and want to get me a copy that'd be great!)

I googled "Michael Simon Evolution"-the name of the book and a link popped up on the first page that was a pdf version of the cover. Going backwards on the address took me here. So if you are so inclined you can view the book online. I'm not familiar with "ibiblio"...apparently some sort of sharing site. I took a gander and you know what? I'm still gonna buy it, it's better than I thought it was going to be.

Cheers!

New Clay

I made some pots this evening while waiting on the gas kiln to finish up. I have a couple of new clay bodies that I'm testing out and I mixed up about 300# of each. They're really just modifications of my current body. This one that I used tonight has an addition of fine sand on top of the grog and I must say that I really like the feel. The clay feels sandy...instead of gritty. I don't know how to describe it better than that but I like it.

Here are some yunomi, this clay was really soft and I think influenced the shape a little. These are a little shorter and fatter than I typically make them. I think they look a little more generous and inviting.



I received an order for some plates so I made a small run. This is the year for plates, I have to figure out how to get 2o something plates into the next firing, that'll be a challenge.

Deco.

That's all for now.

Cheers!

How do ya like them apples?

Oriental thinking, and indeed all pre-industrial thinking, knows that nature may seem hard-hearted and her laws inexorable and often cruel, yet she herself is the very raw material you are working with, and of which you yourself are necessarily a part. You therefore always have to treat her as your friend, as someone with whom you must somehow keep on good terms, or else you and your works will be no good. She is after all your mother, not an enemy to be subdued, or a slave to be violated.
-Michael Cardew

Speaking of apples, it makes one want to put down their brush entirely.

Cheers!