| Author | Content |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
January 8, 2008
8:47 AM Post #4374810
| This is a continuation from #1 link below
[HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com] |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
January 8, 2008
8:59 AM Post #4374846
| That is done.
I thought I would report on my latest.
I have been juried into a show called "Bitter Fruits" that opens on February 1st. It is about women and their bodies. My mastectomy series will be in it. I am really excited to get it out there once again.
I started a class in carving clay taught by one of the professors at the U of Minnesota. She is so good and I learned a lot on day one. Here is a link to some f here work.
[HYPERLINK@artdept.umn.edu]
What I hope to do is learn about carving then be able to incorporate carving into my figurative work. I need to learn more about it so I can see if and how it will work. I have carved before but never learned how it should be done. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
January 8, 2008
12:48 PM Post #4375564
| Thanks for starting the new thread, zen. Congrats on the show! Hope it goes really well
You've inspired me to do more handbuilding, and I tried carving a tile last week to make a press mold. After I got it done, I realized I'd done the negative instead of the positive...LOL! Oops----it was good practice!
Sigh...off to work. But I'm telecommuting most days now so I don't have to fight traffic or get up a 0-dark-thirty to catch the train, so I shouldn't whine. |
sempervirens
Northern, NJ
(Zone 6b)
January 9, 2008
8:29 AM Post #4378787
| Good luck with the show, zen.
I really enjoyed the large scale work by Mary Ellen Roettger from the link you provided. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
January 9, 2008
9:08 AM Post #4378861
| Thank you.
I really enjoy her work to. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 19, 2008
12:05 PM Post #4559865
| zen: reporting in on using fired stoneware disks in my extruder. Fahgedabadit. I was SO bummed. I fired 4 of them all the way to C10, and when I put the first one in the extruder (even with soft clay) it broke immediately.
I've actually had my best luck testing with Masonite, but it won't hold up forever.
So I guess the thing to do is play with the shape in masonite, and then when it's right, duplicate it in aluminum (I've been told that Plexiglas works, but I haven't tried it).
:-(
PS: Sorry about your ankle; I spent 6 weeks in a cast for a sprain like that on my right ankle. When I sprained the left one even worse a few years later (my toes turned black and blue), I had DH wrap it from knee to toe every day so I wouldn't have to do the cast thing again. I can at least sympathize! Hope you feel better soon!
This message was edited Feb 19, 2008 8:09 AM |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
February 19, 2008
5:54 PM Post #4561160
| What a bummer about the extruder disks. I had a hard time getting nice smooth edges on the Masonite.
The foot/ankle is now in a removable boot cast. I can take it off at night and put on a smaller one to sleep. I am still on crutches and will be for awhile. He said it will be 3 - 5 months before it is healed. I went to a orthopedic doctor today and go back in two weeks. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 23, 2008
4:10 PM Post #4578298
| zen, DH gave me that handbuilding book you recommended for Valentine's Day---what a great book. Thanks for recommending it! Now I guess something else will have to move to the top of my Amazon wish list... ;-> |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
February 23, 2008
5:31 PM Post #4578599
| I am glad you like it. |
cattaca
Chamberlain, SD
February 27, 2008
4:59 PM Post #4597313
| I am new to this forum. I have a question if anyone can assist, I would be so pleased. I am a first year art teacher and have run one kiln in my life on my own, which I had written step by step instructions from a graduate student in college.
Can anyone give me step by step instructions or suggestions of where to look? I did find an online manual, but it was over 60 pages, and I didn't even know where to start, and could not print it off.
These are the specs for the kiln we have at school:
Pasco Kiln (kilnsitter or sitterkiln)
Model P6
26 Amps
240 Volts
6.2KW
1Phase
Serial # P6122
Max Temp 2250 degrees
Thank you very much-
This message was edited Feb 27, 2008 3:02 PM |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 27, 2008
8:08 PM Post #4598027
| Hi, Cat: Can you attach a link to your manual so we can take a look at it?
Hopefully you have a pyrometer on the kiln so you can see what the internal temperature is?
I'm going to pretend you don't know anything, so don't be insulted if this is too basic for you. The steps I use for my electric kiln firings are as follows (others may do things differently):
1) Make sure you have good ventilation, and that all the electrical components look "healthy".
2) Make sure all the pieces are completely dry. If you have any question, hold the piece close to your cheek. If it feels even a little bit cold, it's probably not dry.
3) Put a kiln-sitter cone of the right temperature (often under a wire "finger") in the kilnsitter. This will typically allow you to start the temperature control---usually dials connected to the electric heating element(s). Sometimes you need to do this partway through a loading, depending on where your kiln-sitter is in the chamber. Make sure all of the shelves and the ware are at least 1/2" from the elements.
4) Turn the bottom element on to its lowest setting, with the kiln lid propped open about an inch with a shelf support, and with all spyholes open. If you have more than one element, only start the bottom one. Leave the kiln like this until it's about 400 degrees.
5) Using heat-resistant gloves (I use fireplace gloves) remove the shelf support and close the lid; turn on the remaining element(s) to the lowest setting. Monitor the temperature rise on the pyrometer. It should rise no more than 150 degrees an hour. If it's rising too fast, turn off an element.
6) After about 2 hours, you can start turning the element controllers up about every 2 hours. (Slower firing is better than fast firing.)
7) Continue turning the controllers up a little at a time until your cone bends, at which point your kiln-sitter should shut off the kiln.
8) Let the kiln cool until it's down to ~ 400 degrees. Using the heat-resistant gloves, crack the lid about an inch, and brace it open with the shelf support. Remove the spyhole plugs.
9) When the kiln is completely cooled, open the lid and unload.
What grade are you teaching?
This message was edited Feb 27, 2008 4:09 PM |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
February 28, 2008
8:50 AM Post #4599889
| The book I find invaluable for firing is "Electric Kiln Ceramics" by Richard Zakin
Before you do anything vacuum the kiln, you don't want any dust.
I fire differently by what temperature I am firing to. I continually take out the above book when doing something different so I am not going to give you step by step directions on how I fire. I do fire without a pyrometer and go by time, sight and smell.
I was an art teacher for years and have taught from pre-k to adults.
Make sure that the students really attach the pieces well, it is so frustrating when they come apart. I have glued together so many pieces I couldn't venture to even guess how many. |
cattaca
Chamberlain, SD
February 28, 2008
11:27 AM Post #4600512
| Imapigeon-
Thank you, I know nothing, so your instructions were not to basic.
I am teaching 8-12 grades. The 8th graders are a separate class and the 9-12 come in mixed groups. They have very little previous knowledge about art, but are hard workers and have much talent.
As for the manual, clearly I exaggerate, it isn't as long as I thought it was the first time I found it :) hehehe However, I am not sure if it is the correct manual.
Here is the link:
[HYPERLINK@www.hotkilns.com]
Zenpotter- thank you for your suggestions also, I will look for that book. I wouldn't have thought to vacuum out the kiln...but that is obvious isn't it. :)
It is frustrating to not know what I am doing, or even what I am looking for. I thank you both for your willingness to assist me.
-cat
|
cattaca
Chamberlain, SD
February 28, 2008
11:33 AM Post #4600548
| p.s.
today, the manual printed...
I work at a reservation school, sometimes our gadgets aren't in working order, it really depends on the day. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
February 28, 2008
4:34 PM Post #4601795
| OOOOhhh, if you're working at a reservation school you might want to do a sawdust or pit firing with them at night when it warms up a bit! I'll bet the kids would love it, and you might even get some of the parents to participate. My most recent teacher does a sawdust firing every semester, and it's always a blast. We pit-fire polished pieces, and sometimes do horsehair technique on them. Let me know if you're interested in finding out more, and I'll gather some materials for you. I'll take a look at your kiln manual tonight and see if there's anything that impacts my original instructions.
zen can give you resources on handbuilding (she's expert in that area).
I can relate to your frustration---I spent several years working with stoneware and porcelain, mostly throwing. The first time I got a job in a Navy hobby shop when my husband was in the service, it was doing low-fire slip-casting, and my "students" all knew more than I did about what we were doing...LOL! |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
March 1, 2008
12:49 PM Post #4608757
| cat, the manual you're looking at is actually for the kiln sitter, not for the kiln itself. But that's OK because that and the electric elements are the main things to a kiln. Dawson's a good brand, and the one that's on my old electric kiln, and it's been going strong for 30 years. There's a lot of information here---I imagine it's a little overwhelming! Let me try to point out the places in the manual that relate to the basic instructions I posted above.
Figure 1 on page 5 of your manual shows the "finger" I was referring to---they call it the sensing rod (now I know what it's called...LOL!). You lift it with the "claw" on the outside of the kiln, lay your cone over the bars, and then set the sensing rod on top of the cone. (see Figure 8 on page 7 for how it's placed)
You need to catch the rectangular metal piece with the hole in it (they call it the "trigger") under the claw (Figure 2 on page 3)
Then to start the elements you push the round button on the front of the kilnsitter that's framed by the trigger.
If everything's working properly, when the cone reaches temperature and bends, the sensing rod drops down, the claw releases the trigger, and the kiln shuts off.
Not sure if that helps or not---let us know!
Do you have some low-temperature cones (like 022 or 019) that you could do an empty test-firing with so you can make sure everything works correctly before firing any pieces? |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
March 1, 2008
12:50 PM Post #4608760
| zen---were you pleased with the response to your pieces in the juried show? |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
March 1, 2008
3:42 PM Post #4609461
| I was, I had a lot of people stop to talk to me the opening was fun. The show closed yesterday so it is time to get the work back already. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
June 18, 2008
8:19 AM Post #5121512
| The post to the old tread prompted me to write a bit here. Long time no see.
The flurry of spring shows are over and I don't have any more set up for now. There are a couple to apply to if I can get myself in gear. I am taking a break to work in my garden my second passion. I guess it is really the 3rd # 1 is my DH. Let's see where do I put the kids?
My garden is loving the cool damp spring we are having. It reminds me of the beautiful gardens in Northern Europe, so lush and green.
I am also in transition with my work. I am letting some ideas roll around in my mind while I work and trying to remind myself that it is ok to not be always working with clay. I am doing a lot of drawing in between gardening. I am even drawing in the garden. I am also going back to re-work some figure drawings from the drawing co-op I belong to it keeps the rocks (ideas) rolling in my head.
In other words I am letting myself relax. What a thought.
|
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 18, 2008
8:32 PM Post #5125054
| Hi everyone:
I've been occasionally checking in with DG, but I'm trying to limit myself. Otherwise, I find I spend waaaaay too much time in the "virtual garden/studio" and not enough in the REAL one.
I've been working on tiling my front walkway [HYPERLINK@landscaping.com] trying to finish the last section. I had a week of vacation, and thought I would finish this project in about 3 days. That was 3 weeks and many, many Aleves ago. I'm on the home stretch of mortaring the big tiles, and next have to mortar the handmade (blue & white) ones, then grout. I'll be awfully glad when this is done. I've learned that I can only do about 8 Saltillo tiles at a time. That takes me about 2 hours, from start to cleanup. At this rate, tiling my courtyard will take me until the next millenium. But so be it. At least I'll have a goal! My job has gotten more demanding since we had a bunch of layoffs in January, and I need my "down time" desperately. I've announced that I'm retiring in Sep of 2009 (assuming they keep me around that long) so I have a lot of stuff to get completed around the house before I stop getting a paycheck.
zen, your work has inspired me to try some handbuilding in my studio. I have a wall fountain in my head that I'm trying to get out! I did a few days of throwing so far this year, and have some bisqued pots to glaze. I've refined my design for pot feet, and I have a more sturdy extruder blank now--I've got some of the new ones ready to fire.
I'm trying to do a little relaxing, too. My front courtyard has become my favorite place to kick back, watch the container plants grow, and read a good book.
zen, how's your ankle doing?
|
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
June 18, 2008
11:38 PM Post #5125929
| My ankle is doing well. Still hurts some, but that isn't surprising. He said it might hurt off and on the rest of my life.
Your walkway is looking good. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
July 19, 2008
9:58 PM Post #5288018
| PROGRESS Report! Hi everyone---I'm close to finishing my sidewalk project, after "only" at least three hours on every Sat and Sun for the past two months. I expect to finish grouting the $()@_+Q thing tomorrow morning, and I will be very happy to mark that milestone off on my calendar and update my Landscaping.com entry. I also got the attached project finished/grouted today. It's the base of my wedging table. It'll be covered up with clay buckets most of the time, but I thought it would be nice to have ONE finished project visible at all times in my studio...LOL!
Hope y'all are well and working hard~~~~ I know I am!!!!
This message was edited Jul 19, 2008 7:01 PM
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
July 20, 2008
9:53 PM Post #5293282
| It looks great. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
July 20, 2008
10:15 PM Post #5293389
| Thanks----got the last part of front walkway grouting done today HALLELUIA!!!
I'll take pictures when it's cleaned up...SO nice to have something done finally. |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
July 21, 2008
7:52 AM Post #5294918
| Isn't it a great feeling. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 1, 2008
7:53 PM Post #5355913
| I'm utterly thrilled to share with you that I've FINALLY (after only 2 years) finished tiling my sidewalk!
[HYPERLINK@landscaping.com] |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
August 1, 2008
9:03 PM Post #5356164
| That turned out awesome! Fantastic work!
Janet |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 1, 2008
9:51 PM Post #5356366
| Thank you. I really am SO VERY happy to have this phase done.
The guy who's now redoing my watering system told me yesterday that he & his crew have a lot of experience with Saltillo and asked if I wanted them to do my courtyard. I'm seriously considering it. They've done beautiful work at my friend's house.
The project for our next Women's Work Day is to tile a strip from the inside of the front gate to the front porch, under where the fountain sits, as wide as we can make it (hopefully 4 tiles). We're going to use speed-set mortar because my friend Daryl, who has helped me mortar the front walkway and the fountain basin, has never grouted. With the speed-set mortar we can grout in 2 hours. My friend Rene hasn't ever set any tile at all. So I promised to teach them new skills.
After that, it may make sense to have the contractor do the rest. He's gonna have to move all the planters anyway to do the new drip system for the courtyard. My goal was to have it tiled by the end of this year, and I don't think my body, my sanity or my marriage will survive me doing the rest by myself!!! |
UniQueTreasures
Beaumont, TX
(Zone 8b)
August 1, 2008
9:58 PM Post #5356397
| Ya know, I'm learning the same thing from my hubby. Even though he can do all of the work on our kitchen remodel, there are some things he'd rather "farm out" and concentrate on other things. A person can wear themselves out in no time when doing projects like this AND working a full time job.
Sounds like your WWD will be a wonderful learning experience for the others. And as long as the guys have to move those planters, you might as well get them to finish the job. You can sit back and enjoy it much sooner that way! |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 1, 2008
10:02 PM Post #5356417
| My thoughts egggzacataly! In fact, I'm gonna pour myself a glass of vino and go sit out there now---hahaha!! |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
August 4, 2008
8:13 AM Post #5366195
| As I started to read this I was going to recommend the vino and sitting down to admire your work and you beat me to it. You can go out and have another since it is three days later.
It looks fantastic. A job well done. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 4, 2008
10:18 AM Post #5366686
| thanks, zen! What have you been working on lately? |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
August 4, 2008
1:03 PM Post #5367395
| My garden, a third large garden sculpture, and I am teaching myself to whittle. So far I have made two wooden chains one with 3 links and one with 5 links. My grandfather use to whittle and I decided I wanted to as a "link" with the past. |
imapigeon
Gilroy, CA
(Zone 9a)
August 4, 2008
2:14 PM Post #5367653
| How fun! My dad and granddad used to whittle functional wooden pliers out of a single piece of wood. I still have a couple----they're so neat! |
ge1836
Central NY, NY
(Zone 6a)
August 5, 2008
12:37 PM Post #5372158
| Just stopped in to see what potters are up to these days.
I visited in the spring.
I'm an old potter from New York State, did shows for 30 years, can't move now cause I'm too stiff with arthritice.
Your projects are beautiful. I love "clay anything"
Just never can get it out of my system.
I paint now, cotta keep the flow going with something.
Hang out mostle with Northeast Garden Forum, but will check in to see what you are doing.
One of the last few pieces I made.
little garden spirit house
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
ge1836
Central NY, NY
(Zone 6a)
August 5, 2008
12:38 PM Post #5372162
| and a blue vessel.
Both are earthenware cone06
I didn't see any pots from you.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
August 6, 2008
7:59 AM Post #5375951
| What a beautiful blue it is perfect for the textures you use.
Did you follow the link at the top to the start of this thread? You will see some work there. This is a more tell than show thread.
The gallery/studio that I am a member of is having an open studio tomorrow night. It will be interesting to see how many people come. This past weekend there were three large art fairs plus the weather is hot and this is in a non air conditioned building. We have a window air conditioner, but it isn't really big enough for the space it just takes the edge off. There is an open studio night in the building the first Thursday of every month. |
ge1836
Central NY, NY
(Zone 6a)
August 6, 2008
9:16 AM Post #5376210
| How have sales been where you live?
How are openings supported?
In the east there has been a steady decline of sales in the middle price range and many potters are not producing anymore.
The high end-prices start at $300 and go to$2000. are doing well.
Friend of mine has stopped doing outdoor shows altogether and only wholesales and fills orders from "The Guild" website. Her work is fine art and she is holding her own.
I'll lurk and look and listen.
Painting now, clay got too heavy and lifting those kiln shelves was too much.
This is a great thread.Thanks- i miss clay |
zenpotter
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4b)
August 6, 2008
10:21 AM Post #5376536
| Sales here are slow I sell either high end or small pieces that people can afford.
I am a sculptor and I don't do any functional work at all. I also do not do air fairs at all any more. Most of my work is nudes and they are not allowed on DG so I don't post them any more I did a few at first until it came up in a discussion.
Six of us have rented space in a building that has someplace between 150 and 160 studio/gallery spaces rented all of the time. Of the six of us only one does her work there the rest of us use it as gallery space only. The building as a whole has two very big shows a year, open studios the first Thursday of every month and extended hours during the holidays. It took us over a year on a waiting list to get a space.
The support for openings varies by the gallery. Minneapolis and St. Paul are very supportive of the arts and there are some nice galleries around. |
ge1836
Central NY, NY
(Zone 6a)
August 6, 2008
10:33 AM Post #5376589
| It sounds like you have a good thing going in the studio at home and gallery space for sales.
There is a situ. like that here in an abandoned fabric warehouse complex.
Works well for many diff. deciplines.
I havn't done an out door show since 96.
I was breaking even with hogpromoters booth fees and jusy charges and travel. Can't imagine how it is now with gas at $4
I think shows are hurting for good art because of it.
I get special invites to shows I havn't done in ages.
Gas prices will probably bring down the outdoor show business.
I got busted too on the Garden forum when I first joined.
I listed my web page as a way of introducing myself and a member carefully told me "self promotion" wasn't allowed.
Now I occasionally put in a painting but thats because a few members have expressed intrest in my paintings.
It's been awhile.
Do you have a website where I could see your sculptures?
I'd love to see them.
Dmail me if you cant tell me any other way. |
