Another layer

Cam, Bri and I have been attending pottery Classes at the the Logan Artists Association , at 27 Coral St Loganlea, on a Monday evening from 6pm - 9pm weekly. Yep! We are dragging Cam there and giving him lots of encouragement and numerous timtams, so he can try his hand at something outside his usual 'doings' . . . . .  so far he is being a good sport and has produced some rather amazing pottery, with the supportive guidance of our tutor Ray.

 Ray Outteridge  began potting in Cairns in 1972 under the tutelage of Master Potter Ray Harrison and continued until 1974 when he undertook professional training at the Cairns College of Further Education (now the James Cook University) graduating with Honors in 1977.

Ray is also experienced at designing and building salt, raku, gas, oil and wood fired kilns. His work has been exhibited widely and is represented in local and international collections.

During his professional life as an artist/potter Ray has endeavored to pass on his accumulated knowledge and skills, encouraging all to practice, have an open mind and keep alert for the happy accident. 

We have found that Ray is more than willing to share his wide range of knowledge with enthusiasm and a good open sense of humour, that makes the evenings both  informative and enjoyable. 

The facilities are generous and classes are small -  so you can learn a lot in a very short time.

Bri and I are learning to throw pots on the wheel, which is both challenging and rewarding.

while Cameron is currently learning to do hand building. . . .

There are a few places to fill, so if you are interested come along  - it is FUN and very Creative.

All aspects of Studio Pottery will be undertaken. Cost will be $25 for members and $30 for non members.
For further information please ring Ray on 0418673404 or 55467398 any time or rayoutteridge@tadaust.org.au

There is going to be another fantastic RAKU firing soon, but if you want something interesting to see this Friday night . . . . .  .
A DVD Movie and Slide Night.
• The Leach Pottery 1952”
• “The Sleeping Pot” (The Firing of a large Anagama Kiln at River Falls, Wisconsin)
• Other  selected  short pottery videos
• Works made at the LAA
Where: The LAA Studio
When: Friday Night 11th May 2012
Time: 6 pm.
Cost: Members $5.00 and non Members $10.00
Bring your own refreshments and a friend. All Welcome.


RAKU Firing
On the 31st of March an excited group of potters met for the
first official firing day of the Raku kiln. Workshop participants
soon arrived and we prepared for the firing by filling drums with
sawdust and making sure we all had protective gear ready
which included masks, long sleeved shirts/pants and protective
footwear. Ray then advised on how to glaze the pots, and next
the kiln was loaded for the first firing. We then received further
advice on how to operate the kiln and the kiln God was placed
on top of the kiln for the first time. It will take us a few times to
learn some of the nuances of Raku firing.
Finally, we could hear the roar of the gas burner and watch the
pyrometer (temperature gauge) creep up. All the time Ray kept
the information going and we observed the pots becoming red
hot and the glazes changing from matt to glossy.
With the temperature achieved the exciting stages began. As the
kiln was lifted, the red hot pots became exposed and Ray quickly
placed them in our drums with tongs, where sawdust or paper
was tipped over each pot. This completed the post reduction
process of the glazes reaching the desired effects. After that,
the still very hot pots were removed and placed into water, once
sufficiently cooled an eager team took to scrubbing off the ash like clockwork, while the rest of us organised pots and helped Ray reload the kiln.
This process went on for 7 – 8 firings, finishing in the dark – which made it all so more visually spectacular, with the glow of the red hot pots, smoke, flames and steam. Overall it was an excellent day, where good results were achieved with many pieces.
We all anticipate the next time with relish,

Porcelain piercing Workshop with Julie Shepherd

What a weekend !
I have just had the most enjoyable time with Julie Shepherd doing a week end workshop for porcelain piercing . . . . though it covered much, much more.

You do not need to have any previous experience . .   Julie will explain it all - very clearly.

There will be another one for the Mothers Day weekend in MAY 2012.

Julie Shepherd    Mob 0417620229

Julie.Shepherd  
specializes in fine polished porcelain with pierced or translucent decoration using bowl and sculptural forms.  

Her porcelain work has become an expression of her femininity because of the strong linkage with traditional female textile crafts.
She started using translucent porcelain to express the fragility of the natural environment due to human impact.

The piercing resulted from looking at electron microscope illustrations of the lacy structures within nature. 

The workshop was over two days and covered a HUGe variety of techniques . . . . explained clearly and concisely.

Throughout the weekend, I felt there was a genuine sharing of ample knowledge. We started with mould making, pouring, and creating our forms to pierce and decorate. 

(The process of piercing is very similar to using a needle while sewing) The outward appearance of the porcelain is of fragility, however the work has immense inner strength and durability.

I would highly recommend doing this weekend workshop for the sheer enjoyment of the process.

Email shepherd.julie1@gmail.comwww.julieshepherd.net

2011 Drawing in Beijing

While Bri is away I am finding things to do . . . .
I decided to take myself off for Life Drawing classes, something I have not done for YEARS.
I emailed The Hutong and booked a session for myself and Brianna when she returns. My first class will start at 7.30pm.
I walked out of my apartment building not knowing which way I was going.
I stood on the side of the road with a copy of the address and hailed a taxi. At this point, the idea that a detailed map of Beijing would be a good idea, crossed my mind.
I was lucky to have a young man take sympathy and without a shared langue manage to explain to the driver where I wanted to go, and to have a driver who was honest, friendly and able to drop me close to the train station. Exiting the train, I found myself standing on the side of a major cross road, not knowing which way to go, until a nice young man took pity on me and without any verbal communication directed me to the hutong entry.

It is so very easy to get lost in the warrens that are the Hutongs

Being early I stopped at a cafe, Grandmas Kitchen, for apple pie and coffee. Yah!, not your usual Chinese fair, but something left over from the French, which I certainly appreciated .

Finally I arrive at the door for The Hutong cooking and art center. A place founded by creative Australians who live in Beijing. There were a dozen individuals all from varied backgrounds. There were easels, a generous supply of great paper, charcoal and a male model from Finland. (He looked awfully familiar, but as he was naked I was not about to ask if we had met before.)

After 90 minutes we had a break. Red wine and lots of talking.

Then I had to ask.

(He  had modeled at BIA in Brisbane? Was travelling the world.) 

We did several 3 minute warm up drawings, a few 5 minute ones and then some that were 15 minute poses. Half time through the second half we had a break and I managed to talk to people from South Africa, Sweden, Mongolia and said Hi, to the other people attending.


The time went all too quickly. 9.30pm arrived and I was just feeling like I was finding my stride.
Now I was filled with trepidation . . . it was dark and I had to find my way out of the maze.

Looking hesitant, yet again! a young girl took pity on me and offered to walk me back to the main street. (I am so very thankful to all the generous souls I have encountered during my stay. I would have been so lost without them)
Standing on the side of the main crossroad I was not sure which way I was meant to go . . . so my beautiful young companion hailed me a cab, told the driver my address and waved me goodbye. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!

Arriving at my apartment complex, I did my nighttime shopping for water, fruit and bread, had an evening meal of pumpkin deep fried in egg white (like sweet chips with a crisp tempura coating), a mango smoothie . . . then made my way to my apartment.
It was a great introduction that confirmed my passion to draw. 

Once I reached my apartment I sat down and emailed to make further bookings. Will do some cooking classes and visit some markets and gardens.