A very Clear day

These are shots from the roof.  I went up there because of the great clarity today.

Some kiln building progress.

After breakfast today we had a language class and decided to have speaking test next class.  A bit of a bummer to have to study, but I suppose I would be in school anyway.  I am starting to pick up more of the language as I hear people speaking it.  I made some small (large for here) jars today that I think I may try to put faces on.  I did not plan on doing that, but after some students saw the slide show I had a bit of encouragement.  I hope they stay together, it may be struggle not to crack because this porcelain is so sensitive.  We also have so tian bau clay which, according to everyone who has used it, throws much, much better than the chinese porcelain.  I think I am going to stick with the more challenging stuff because I am just starting to get the hang of it, and it would be a shame to quit throwing it while I am getting used to it.  People say that if you can throw this clay body then you can throw any type.  This clay body is the most challenging body in the world to throw.  I made another teapot today as well.  I am really a lover of teapots becuase there is so much you can do with the form of one, and it really gives many opportunities to a potter to go in many directions.  I am very excited to visit yixing next week because it is a city that focuses on teapot making.  It should be very interesting to stay there for a week while the chinese holiday is going on.  I took a much needed rest today because I am still recovering from the cold I had.  At lunch I was about to fall over so I slept from around 1-2:30.  Worked a bit till supper and then went and got a massage which was most definitely the hi-light of my day.  It lasted for 2 hours and cost the equivalent of 10 dollars.  It was the best full body massage I have ever received (also the only one I have received).  After a treatment like that I extensively prepared for my bed tonight, but not before loading a few pictures from yesterday and today.

This morning started early and I was tired.  At  6 we left for the antique market and I suppose I was too tired to appreciate it or something.  I did not find anything I really liked, but I did buy a teapot that Jeff wanted and bought from me after my accidental purchase.  I just spit out a ridiculous price to the guy selling it and he took it.  He laughed at my 90 offer from his 300 price.  Then I offered 95 and he started bagging it up.  Jeff bought it from me because he liked it more.  It just had a slipcast look to me that I did not like very much.  It was a bamboo teapot with some cool carvings.  The blue on white lady came back today with a camera crew.  She did some video of us learning to paint from her.  I glazed 2 more pieces with her today.  I also made 2 teapots and somehow didn't mess anything up while doing so.  I got some new ideas in class tonight while I was doodling that I am excited to try out.  I am really pushing myself out of my regular box, and sometimes I do not like it.  I suppose it is good though.  After class I went with some guys to a club.  I danced a bit and even danced on a table at one point which was pretty fun. It is not something I would do every night of the week for sure.  I guess ya gotta experience it ll while your here though.  I am having a blast and am with a great group of people that are very easygoing and easy to get along with.  I am very thankful for that. 

Glazing master showing us how to paint.  Real sweet pot with a river view from above with fish.  She is a very well known painter in the area and get away from being very traditional.

Her helping me with my plate.  I did not make the plate btw,

My design is finished with a good bit of help from the master.  I am excited about doing another tomorrow.  I really enjoyed it once I got used to it.

A lotus plate I did today.  One of 3.  

NC pottery pride I will never loose

We had a quiz in Language class this morning and it went pretty well.  I am learning loads in there.  After I was really ready to get to some of my work after the day off yesterday.  We had a lady come and demo today that does the blue on white painting on porcelain.  We were told that she was only going to be here for two days so I pulled myself away from what I was doing for that.  It was really a struggle because I had my mind set so hard on what I was doing that to change up and do painting was really a push especially since painting on pots is really far out of my comfort zone.  I keep reminding myself that I am here to learn more about other things than to explore myself.  I can do that any time, but I am in China and its blue on white for crying out load!  After dinner toninght we had a slideshow presentation where everyone said where they were at and what they were trying to accomplish with thier work.  I made sure to represent NC well since I am the only potter from that super awesome pottery area.  I showed work by my main influence and teachers (Talked and showed slides of Hal's work, Doug, Tom, Kim, Mark Hewitt, Matt Jones, Daniel Johnston.... some great NC stuff)as well as a few slides of my own.  I also did a brief bio of myself and how I learned to make pots in a folk traditional way.  I am very proud of that and hope to never loose that quality in my work.  Anyway, we are going to the antique market tomorrow so I better get some sleep.  

Sunday, Day of Rest

Some of the new soda kiln progress kiln progress

The three vases I trimmed today.  Believe it or not these are some of the tallest things I can make right now.  This clay is very stubborn.

A stamp I carved for myself out of jade.  I need to do one with my verse next.

An antique dealer came to our studio this morning with some things to try to sale us.  
I felt a bit under the weather today and the same cold has been going around.  I am pretty sure that is what I have.  Symptoms were runny nose, headache, drowsiness all day.  I sat around, got some rest, did some sketches, drank some tea and managed to trim three vases which wore me out.  Here are some pics.

Big ole pot.  And some sweet glaze painting.

Home of the kiln god.

And the road continues onward.