And Now, As The Wheel Turns...Ask A Potter

I think the below answers say so much more than what they say... in so many ways.

What is the strangest or funniest comment or question you've ever gotten about your work?

Celeste:

A person asked why 2 items of similar size had different prices. One had some carving with no exterior glaze and the other one had a smooth surface with glazing. I took a deep breath and told the person that the carving took me about 4 to 6 hours to complete. Sometimes what seems apparent to the artist is not always apparent to the consumer.

Chris:
Standing in front of a large bowl with a hole in it, a sink, I was asked "Is that a lampshade?"

Jon:
Paul Soldner once told me my pots might look better if I threw them left handed.

Workshops, Learning And Experience

I love a good workshop. There is nothing like going somewhere, getting away from the everyday and immerse yourself in what you love. For me it

Ok, something that I thought was a jewel of wisdom: Val said that when he makes containers, he does them in a series and he throws the openings to the same size. That way he can get into a groove and throw many bodies and then later sit down and throw many lids. Such a simple idea. I do small batches of sugars bodies and then throw lids measuring each. What was I thinking. Most are different from each other by a sneeze one way or the other. How did I never think of this? Really?!?!?!

This is why I love going to workshops. Yes, learning a new technique is always good, but it's the little tips of experience that make all the difference.

-Sally Anne

All About Evan...

Just trying to see what makes Covert Potter Evan Vieser tick... I asked him:

You have been selected to go on an all expense paid drinking binge for three days with historical figures: an artist, a writer and one free choice. Who are your drinking buddies?

"The artist would be George Ohr, because he seems like someone who's a bit on the edge and there would almost definatly not be a boring moment. As for a writer I'd have to choose Chuck Palahniuk, only because his sense of humor is much like mine, he also has an insane amount of useless knowledge. The only problem with this plan is after 3 days, I quite possibly wouldn't remember a damn thing."

Who would you choose?

Get Inspired

The show opens tomarow night!  You can get a little preview here, but you really should try to come out to the opening.  Several of the Covert Potters have work in the show, Sally Anne Stahl, Celeste Iida, Chris McCormick and Evan Vieser.  Wre are all looking forward to what promises to be an amzing show!

Trials And Tribulations

I used to be a member at the Xiem Clay Center in Pasadena California.  All work at Xiem is fired to Cone 10 in reduction.  After many years I had finally figured out the glazes; which ones worked well together and those that didnt play nicely.  It was just about that time some major changes occured in my life and I set up a studio at home, firing to Cone 5 oxidation.

It has been a challenge.
I have my work table, wheel and kiln and have purchased various glazes but getting the results that I want has been tough. I think my biggest problem has been that I have not had the time to do some serious testing.  So I am working on getting some more glazes to round out a palate and hope to do some serious testing at the end of next month.  At least thats the plan...
What cone are you working at?  And what challenges have you worked to overcome?
I often go to YouTube when looking for information on any topic, there are many videos on glaze application but not that much on specific glazes and what works with what.  I guess that is because there are so many variables from kiln to kiln and glaze to glaze.  Or even the geographical area you are firing in.
Which leads me to another question, where do you go when looking for help or information?
~Chris

Introducing The Newest Covert Potters

T Roberts

T Robert and Jon Pacini are new members of the Covert Potters Association. I met them the first time I went to Fred's to fire one of his kilns.  Ok, Fred is everything a curmudgeony old man should be. And at the time of him telling me that he had room in his kiln for me, I had not met him either. I made it to Fred's and was offered food. Fred and his wife had gone to LA for a birthday party and told no one I was coming. These lovely strangers invited me in, gave me food and made me feel welcomed.

T and Jon could not be more different as potters. T is very sculptural, hand-built and she loves to alter her thrown pieces. Her joy is to wood fire. Jon spends more time on the wheel with beautiful forms. He has spent much time in the past with crystalline glazes and is now doing wood firing.

I hope you will come to a Covert Potters Event and meet these two.
~Sally Anne



Jon Pacini

Dont Forget!...

To come up to Xiem Clay Center for thier annual Falliday Ceramic Sale!  The Covert Potters will be there, sharing two booths!  Be sure to stop and say hi, you wont be able to miss us!  Hope to see you!

 

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Thank You, Read on...

And Now Another Installment of... Ask a Potter!

What?!?! I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you over the noise... hehehe. Or maybe I’m just not listening to you... No, just kidding. I often wonder: What do you listen to while you pot?
Chris:
I usually like to listen to more ambient sounds with deep rhytyms like Shpongle, can never go wrong with David Bowie, the Yoshida Bros, Zero Seven
Evan:
Rock and Roll, Jazz, Blues, all at the same time
Celeste:
I listen to the radio. I prefer jazz and oldies
Sally Anne:
If I'm at home: NPR. Love the weekend programming. Or music - Angry chick music mostly. I pot outside so I don't sing along… want to keep the neighbors friendly. At the studio: other people. It's a community place and It's nice to connect.

Do you listen to anything while you work? Do you prefer silence? Is there something you wish you could listen too?

We’d love to hear your questions for the Covert Potters. Please leave a comment with any questions you may have and we will try to get them answered as quickly as possible! Thank you… read on.