West Wales

We had a wonderful break in West Wales for the week-end. This little harbour of Porthgain was within walking distance of where we were staying. We were able to walk there and then follow the coastal path around to the next village.

The vernacular architecture features these stone cottages, they seemed to nestle into the hillside. One of the industries in the area had been quarrying and this quarry has been flooded by the sea. It was breathtaking to see as we came over the hill and saw it below. Although you can't see it in the photo there was a seal bobbing about in the 'lagoon'.
It was a beautiful magical place and my head is full of images of ravens falling through the air over wind swept woods and waves breaking on craggy rocks.

Reliquary

Here are pictures of the reliquary that came out of the last firing. The images are very blurred as I was in a great rush to shut up the studio today. We're off for a short break to St.Davids in West Wales tomorrow.
It is one of the most beautiful places in the country and I am hoping that the weather will be kind so that we can do some walking. I have loads of work that I should be doing but I am going to try to switch off so that I can enjoy the week-end.

kiln opening

These are some of the pots that came out of the kiln on Sunday. Many of these have now travelled on to Iona House Gallery. It's been a busy day so I didn't take many photos so I'll come back to this firing soon.
I'm having a day trip to Origin tomorrow. I've got plenty of work I should be doing but I've reasoned that it will be good to see whats going on out there in London! I'll try to remember to report back.

Today's pots

This is the reliquary I have been working on this week. I still feel that the idea is in it's infancy and I have quickly done some drawings today to try to remember some of the ideas |I want to work with. For now though I must turn my attention to the orders I have.
Tomorrow I must get back to throwing.
Also I need to get my car to the garage as it's developed a problem.


The bowl above is an order I did but I wasn't happy with the way the critters went around the rim. On the bowl above you can see how I've re-done it and worked the grasshoppers more into the middle of the bowl. I just hope it firers well.

Homework

Usually I plan to do all my drawings and preparation in the evenings as 'homework' so that studio time can be spent actually working on pots. However, I failed in this today ( sometimes having four chaps in my life keeps me busy!)
So this morning I spent drawing. This was partly because I needed to do some drawings for the pot I am working on and also because I had to return this book to the library. I've really enjoyed using the book. The odd 'chap' at the top is a tiny image in one of the margins.
I forgot to take a photo of the pot I am working on so will have to do that tomorrow. Delivered the eldest son to university tonight - I'm afraid student digs haven't changed since I was a student!!

Books and pots

I've been back in the studio for over a week now but there is'nt much to show yet. After giving the studio a good clean I fired the work left from August. This is one of the bowls. Needless to say that after just a day back at work the studio looked as though I'd never cleaned it.

The Holkham Bible Picture Book is one of my sources for imagery and today I received a facsimile of it. This has got to be easier than orderng it from the British Library. Their copy is a much older facsimile copy but I am not allowed to remove it from our local library. Now I can browse through it whenever I like.
I am wondering what imagery to use on my pots as I start a new batch of work. I do have a facsimile copy of the Luttrell Psalter from the British Library. In the past I have used images of everyday life from this book but this time I am making drawings from the smaller images in the margins. Here are a few in the Luttrell Psalter below. I am trying to get lots of drawings done of these to work onto my pots.


I am still recording feathers I have found. A jay passed through the garden earlier in the week and left me a beatiful blue feather - it was as if he knew I wanted one!

Potfest

pots by Katrin Najorka and Christopher Zange
pots on the lawn by John Stroomer
sculptures by Christy Keeney

I had intended to take lots of photos of Potfest but I didn't leave my own stand much.
Here are just a few photos of other potters whose stands were quite near.
I really enjoyed the festival this year and although it's quite a long journey it all went very smoothly. I found talking to other potters very inspirational and have come away feeling very motivated to get further with my own work.
Meeting the other bloggers was a treat and I was surprised at how much of a connection there is between us through blogging. When I came away it felt as if I was saying good-bye to family! (You can check out Hannah and Christine's blogs for more photos.
Chris of Potfest has put a picture of every potter and their stand on Flickr. I think it gives a wonderful glimpse of each potter and their work - well worth checking out.
Next week we are off to a youth camp ( no I'm not the youth I'm cook and bottle washer). So no blogging or potting just yet.