On Saturday December 20th Alan and Eliza came out to Abbotsford with me for the excitement of opening the latest salt kiln firing. Alan took lots of candid shots of our work and reactions so I'll just add an album below. We had lots of good ideas to share and inspiration for the next firing. There's also a link to a new Picasa album of…
I do enjoy the drive out to Matsqui Prairie for these occasional salt firings at Herman Venema's country studio. The mountains you see to the North as you drive over the Pitt River bridge, reflected in the river, are spectacular. And further on, near Ruskin, there's Mount Baker, seemingly just across the Fraser River. When I arrived Herman and Dave were ready to start work,…
It was worth the wait! Alan came out with me to Abbotsford for the kiln opening and most of today's photos were taken by him. Sadly Nora's daughter Isla developed a strep throat so Nora couldn't join us. I've brought her pieces home and she'll get them soon. The photos into the kiln show three stages of the opening. They're useful for us to have…
On Tuesday I drove out to Abbotsford and was there about 11.30am. Herman had to drive to the airport so Dave and I were in charge of getting the salt kiln loaded. Actually Dave did all the hard work of deciding how the work was placed and lifting in and stabilizing all the shelves while I busied myself applying wads with glue to all Nora's…
Dave sent me some of his photos from last Saturday. There are all sorts of colours on his pieces but we're thinking that the Helmer wash underneath is stopping formation of much orange peel. Dave also photographed enthusiastic potters and cat! Al was out buying our tree today and it was pouring with rain. Maybe we can get out to the shed to take…