This was a real surprise. Sunday was Clifton Day and we had pretty good weather (a bit on the cool side, but dry). Crowds were good, sales were very good. About mid-show, I was presented with the Best of Show award -- didn't even realize the jurors had visited the display earlier in the day. Later, they came in and said, "Hi, we're back." (And I'm thinking, what did they look at earlier and hopefully it hasn't been sold.) Followed by introductions that they were from the Clifton Betterment Association. (Now I'm thinking, did I do something wrong?) And then, the award. Just really caught me by surprise. Thanks to CBA (and they run a very good show) -- and I'll be back next year.
Here are a few pictures of pottery from the wood-firing I participated in at Baltimore Clayworks in November 2014. Our group was organized as a special topics class at Lorton Workhouse under Brian Grow. I was pleased with the firing results -- my first time wood-firing -- and with everything I learned about wood-firing.
Hsi-Mei Yates and I were asked to create a number of small plates and one large plate that were part of the awards given at the National Capital Orchid Society show. The show was in Greenbelt, MD, during October 11-12-13. I drove over today to see the show and the plates and was blown away by the varieties of orchids on display. And, it was really nice to be able to see the awards along side the winning plants -- sort of completing the circle for this commission. Each plate was a separate work of art by Hsi-Mei; no duplicates. Pretty amazing artwork. We worked in low-fire clay so we could minimize any loss of color during the glaze firing. We hope to work with the Society again for next year's show.
Participated in a salt firing with Marianne Cordyack and others at her studio in Shannondale, West VA, this weekend. Glazed and loaded on Saturday; fired on Sunday -- about 13 hours and change. We will be opening the kiln this coming Saturday afternoon. Hopefully, lots of goodies.
