Writings New and Old

This was an article I wrote after the second firing of our big kiln. Enjoy! Firing at the Kiln Park Summer 2005 I know it was not what some might have wanted, pushed others to the edge and beyond, the results varied especially to those whose eyes held a certain expectation, but after a few months of reflection the second firing of the kiln that I have come to know as the Tempest kiln (also referred to as the Cat-Coffin kiln) was, all things considered, a truly great firing. Probably the best one I have had the pleasure of participating...

This was an article I wrote for our First Firing show at the Alberta Craft Council way back in 2004. We planned the show even before we finished the kiln! Can't believe it has been 10 years already. Enjoy! First fire Two years ago we received a partial grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to build an experimental wood fired kiln. This show is based on the very first firing of that kiln. Being a very highly experimental kiln our expectations were set somewhat on the low side, for you see, a pessimist is never disappointed.  Still after...

Here is something I wrote way back in 2002ish? Anyway Enjoy! The sound of the sun captured by cellulose is popping and cracking behind the stoke door and though in the kiln it is nice and warm its minus 25 degrees Celsius outside. Firing only in the summer months is not an option for full time potters living in Canada and it is times like these when I reflect on how we have come to fire our work with wood. It was in 1998 when Enzien and I partook in a kiln building/firing workshop with Fred Olsen in at that...

Here is another one, again it goes way back. Was published in APA newsletter and then republished in Ceramics Review. Enjoy Excerpt from the ‘Book of Shards’ I reached into the warm water and fumbled around for it. The bowl was instantly recognizable as I grasped it and could feel the texture of its surface. I spin the bowl in the palm of one hand while my other hand swishes a wash cloth on the inside, then I run my fingers all over the bowl making sure that it is indeed clean. Warm water flows over the bowl washing away...

Again this is an old article written for the Alberta Potters' Association Contact newsletter, Enjoy! Excerpts from the book of shards Those of you who actually read these excerpts have probably noticed that I have an affinity for shards, how they came to be, how they influence us, the present, reveal to us in others the things they found good or bad…..well the list goes on and on. In fact you might say you could look at shards in just as many ways as…..well as there are shards. Of course shards are not the only thing I am drawn to,...