There was a fierce wind blowing between the mountains when we were firing the salt kiln on Friday. It made for a beautiful day but the kiln area had to be closed off from any gusts that could interfere with the burners. It also was a warning that the weather was changing. Sure enough, snow started on Saturday night so it was no…
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 still snowing yesterday as I unloaded my bisque kiln. Three days non-stop is rather unusual for Vancouver. But we could hear the dripping last night and this morning we woke to dry streets and lots of fog and now we have brilliant sunshine. But the lack of winter tyres was enough reason not to drive in to Vancouver last night so I missed…
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…
I've put together a Picasa album of photos of salty pots. These are my best pieces from the Venema/Dobie/McMillan firing in Abbotsford last week. Take a look at the album and tell me which you like best! I'm not sure I'm ready to let them go yet but the Granville Island galleries want some now. https://picasaweb.google.com/112208740085943894765/GillSPotsFromSaltFiringDec2012?feat=email