Open Doors 2019

This Thursday is Open Doors at Artists Collective-Spartanburg (formally know as West Main Artists) in Spartanburg and I’ll be in my studio as well as outside demonstrating the Western Raku technique of firing ceramics. All of the 30 plus studios will open with many artists demonstrating their art. This annual event is always a great time for both artists and the public, there will be lots of art, food, and drink so come out and enjoy! I have one new large multi-tile wall piece titled “Ursus” along with several smaller pieces all raku-fired as well as some of my photographs on display and for sale. We get started at 4:30 and wrap it up at 8:30 (at 578 West Main Street, Spartanburg). Hope to see you there! Here’s a few of pics of some of the work I’ll have there.

Something Different ...

Here’s something different...These are some of my results from an Obvarra firing yesterday with Marcy Fedalei at West Main Artists in Spartanburg. Obvarra (also know as Baltic Raku) is a method of sealing low fire pottery that dates back to the Middle Ages in Eastern Europe. It involves removing pottery hot from the kiln at about 1,600 degrees and then dunking it in a fermented liquid mixture of flower, yeast and sugar “the brew,” then quickly immersing the piece in water and then sitting it out to dry. A couple of these pieces have some highlight glazing, otherwise the pieces are unglazed with the various shades of brown, black and cream colors a result of the white clay body and the “cooking” of the brew as the piece is moved from the brew to the water which quickly cools the piece, stopping the cooking and sealing the piece. Very spontaneous and unpredictable unique results for each piece.

Lots of fun!