Friday, July 31, 2015

A Shifty Old Devil

A jug in progress. This old devil has a shifty mind. The eight-ball shifter knob gives him away as an old devil. He's a three speed devil in a six speed world.










Wednesday, July 29, 2015

The Remarkably Unremarkable Man.


This is a face jug in progress. This was a difficult piece for me. It is a simple, serene, unremarkable man. There is no social commentary, no demons whispering in his ear, no thoughts or nightmares bursting out of his head. There are no horns, warts, sharp teeth, warty tongues or crazy eyes. There is just this ordinary man with an enigmatic smile and a calm demeanor.

The neighbors described him as quiet man. He was soft spoken and he kept to himself. They saw him as far from threatening. They described him as a easygoing, often carrying  groceries for people. He had an – almost serene – disposition about him. Neighbors are still in shock after.........




Sunday, July 26, 2015

Another Long Hot Summer Without A Drop Of Rain

Work in progress. "Another Long Hot Summer Without A Drop Of Rain". The cruel clouds tease a parched earth. Dedicated to the folks out west that are enduring a monumental drought.























Why does the muse strike me at all the most extreme times of the year? I notice that this is happening to other potters right now as well. My theory takes me back to my childhood. The summers here were brutally hot but we really didn't feel the heat as much as we do today. We were conditioned. We had no air conditioning and no one else did either. We coped by opening the doors and windows and using fans to circulate the air. We slept on a screened back porch or in the back yard. During the day I would play in the cool dirt on the shady side of the house. I guess I still am playing in the dirt on the shady side of the house.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Underglazing "Al Litigator and The Advocates Devil".

Underglazing "Al Litigator and The Advocates Devil".
I layer underglazes when the jug is black hard. After bisque firing, stains will be rubbed into the surface and then wiped off to reveal the textures and muddy the colors. It will then be glazed with a clear glaze and fired to about 2200f. I'm wearing my lighted hat. It helps me see all the details. It is great for sculpting as well.






Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Al Litigator, attorney at law and his sidekick, The Advocate's Devil.

Finished sculpting the jug . Waiting for it to  to dry.










Sunday, July 19, 2015