BVG Day 2

Day 2 BVG
Wake up… Run?.. yikes…high altitude! I feel like I am a smoker.. Bkfst.. outside after my run.. mm.. yogurt with granola and peaches and a nice cup ‘o Joe.
Class starts with whiteboard work.. a plan for the day.. Cups to test glazes on. I already brought some stuff for glaze testing. I still opt in on the cups. I want to try the different techniques. Rib altering, darts, dimpled.. etc.. I try several. Unfortunately, I feel the urge to move some of my stuff along that could go into bisque. The mugs wait till afternoon. I finish the pitchers , the casseroles and the three tumblers.
Lunch once again is delish! I get to set with some very nice artists and beginners.. we all converse about clay . I love this.
The lab techs are taking great care of everyone. It is fun to watch them work. I like the comraderie and I miss this kind of educational setting. MFA for me someday?
The cups become my nemesis. I handle them, I rip off the handles, I wrap them up.
I finsh up for the day at 5.. take a HOT shower.. and get dressed for the art talk and slide show with BVG. What a great nite. The work in the gallery is very good. Bill has great things to say about as do the lab techs and others from the class. The discussion is lively and educational. Tony (Antonio Evansito Cuellar), one of the lab techs has two pieces in the show. He apparently is one of Paul Soldners most recent (last) students. His work is Raku and fumed with ferric chloride. I love this look, but don’t like the chemical risk. I think it needs to be saved for very special pieces, which these are. Takimi also has a piece. It is called “Meat”, I think. I am not really sure what it is about. It is not at all like the work he was working on in the studio last nite. Last nites work seems to have a lusty Asian influence. I wanted to touch and feel the work, but alas it had fresh glaze all over it. Tonites piece is that of pieces of raw meet. I think it is kind of like that fake food that you see in Asian restaurant windows. Usually you don’t see raw meat. Might be an interesting conversation with him, if I had to courage to start it. Other great pieces in the show were by great clay artists including, Linda Christianson, Frank Masseralla, Don Ellis, Randy Broadnax and John Britt. (there are more than this) The work is luscious. There is also a piece by the lady who runs the place, Sherri, a wall of all kinds of ½ Teapots. (see my photos)
Several people go out to dinner afterwards.. I go too! ½ price burgers. It is fun.
Afterwards several of us head back to the studio. The high fire kiln is almost at temp. I get to look inside. Nice, it is a long ways to the cones because this is a super insulated Geil. I guess they don’t need to worry that much about this kiln, it is equipped with all the bells and whistles. It is very nice.
There is one kid who takes up lots of space. And I mean this in a lofty sense. He is quite a presence in this studio, but doesn’t get much done. I have chatted with him a few times telling him to put his butt in the chair. There are a couple of other very nice peoples working away.
I get to throw tonite. There are very few people in the studio. I decide to do those tea bowls. Trevor demonstrated them in the afternoon at my wheel. It was very nice to get the lesson. I threw a very controlled version, but very loose for me. I also did two super tall tumblers and a very controlled bottle.
The environment in the studio is dedicated and hard working for those who are there. The music is good and things are occasionally interrupted with conversation but all in fun and learning. The company is good. I especially enjoy getting to know Takimi!
I:30am rolls around and I have had a great run with my pieces! It is time to hit the sack. I am having a blast.. I get in bed.. and my head is racing. The conversation and the work are so good I want to keep it going. Sleep doesn’t come for quite awhile.

Love, Love, Love,

Jada