November 2011


(11/12 & 11/13) - 12 Potters Holiday Show and Sale with the Bermans

Thanks to Rick and Jennie for a fantastic weekend, and a great show with everyone! 



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September 2011


(9/14 - 9/22)

Last week, I finished the flashing and completed the brickwork on the chimney.  Friday, we had a ceremony to fire up the kiln for the first time.  We collected our personal kiln gods, some to stay on the altar and some just visiting, to pay tribute to the fire and the kiln it would consume. 


After lighting some incense, we shared a bottle of rice wine (and a bottle of Prosecco) with the gods, then lit the pilots...that is...after we discovered we had to clear the line out, but hey...nothing great happens unless there's a hitch.  After that was solved, the burners were lit.


I loaded the kiln Tuesday.  Everything stacks so nicely!



Here are the results of the first firing.



Now we're back in business!!!  Come by and see the new kiln in action.  The Chastain Clay Studio is looking great!

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(8/31 - 9/7)

Thanks to Larry and Buck from Larkin Refractory, Chastain Art Center Ceramics Studio now has a brand new downdraft kiln to play with.  They finished brick work on the chimney this past week.  We'll be finishing the flashing, brick up the rest of the chimney, and hopefully be ready to fire after this first week of fall classes. Below are pictures of the kiln's progression.

Delivery of materials.

































New metal sheeting welded on and 1" insulation board cut and installed.

































Brick work for floor, walls and arch completed.


























I re-piped the gas line with these Baso valves from the original Chastain kiln (the one before the Olympic).
























Jim Wunch had new fiber installed in our door in their accordion pleated method.  Solid!























Before                                                                         After


Man...talk about top quality craftsmanship.  I can't wait to fire this kiln. 



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August 2011


The bitter sweet moment has come...it's time to say goodbye to old "Sabi Bakestu" - that means "Rust Bucket" in Japanese - the name I gave the gas kiln at Chastain Arts Center.  Below is a picture of the last load I fired in the kiln. 


Don't worry, this story is just beginning, and it's going to have a happy ending!  After years of holding this kiln together by skill, luck, prayer, and good karma, we finally reached the end of the road for Sabi Baketsu.  This old kiln will be torn down to the frame. I have hired a crew from Larkin Refractory to rebuild it.  Construction will start next week Tuesday, August 30.


Today, after the last unload this morning, Lucas and I started the demolition rituals.  Some bricks were salvaged, but most were slung to the trash heap.  Dust flew everywhere as the walls came down.  Metal siding tore away from its rusted connections.  At the end of the day, the 200 pound door took the last bit of our strength to remove off its hinges.  Shedding our goggles, gloves, and respirators, we both agreed...it was a good day's work.


This was originally a fiber kiln built by Olympic Kilns, then re-bricked by Ken Horvath.  I started firing it in 1999.  I've estimated a total of over 700 firings in this kiln during the 12 years I've worked at the art center.  Below are some pictures of our progress during today's demolition.  I'll take more pictures when the Larkin crew gets here and starts building.  The new design of the kiln will include re-bricked floor and walls,  an arched roof, a new door, and a rebuilt chimney stack.  
















     Left and Right wall demolished.


Before demolition.                                                 


















Back wall removed.                                                                                 The chimney after busting it out.
















     The frame prepped and ready for the new kiln.   

 

The steel siding removed.


More news and pictures to come.  Stay tuned!



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Work in progress!!!!!


After my baby girl, Lulani, being born and recovery from an appendectomy, I'm finally back in the studio making some work.  Lately, I've been throwing large lidded jars and stacked bottles.  I'll be glazing and firing these to cone 10 in the salt or the reduction kiln.  I'll have more for you to look at soon.


Thanks to Rick Berman for helping me build a salt kiln at the studio!!!!  I fired up the kiln with my students.  We got some great results!