Art Tour Follow Up

Last weekend I participated in the Bluff County Studio Art Tour in Southeastern Minnesota. The tour is an annual event where area artists open their studios for visitor, providing demonstrations and sales of their works. Since the driveway to our place is pretty nasty in the unpredictable spring weather, I was fortunate the fun loving folks at Clover Gallery, Sharyl, Carol and Ralph, agreed to host my pottery display in their space. I was joined there by glass artist Suzanne Merkel of LaCrescent. The weekend weather was very cool and rainy, but I think that provided more traffic for the event since people couldn’t do things outside. If you can’t play in the sunny garden, what better way to make the most of a rainy weekend than traveling around visiting the areas artists?

This was my first time participating as an artist in the tour, so it was fun to be on the other side of the event. I was very impressed with the students from Austin Middle School’s Art Club who made the journey to visit many of the studios. The kids were very well behaved, seemed very interested in what the artists were demonstrating and had great questions. I commend their school district for allowing their students the day to attend. What a great learning experience! Here’s a picture of them as Suzanne discussed her glass works with them.

All in all, it was a very successful and fun weekend I look forward to doing again next year. I may even consider having it at our place since we are planning to have the driveway improvements done this summer. We’ll see.
Thanks for visiting – stop by again.

Finally...

The last three weeks have really tested my patience. “What patience?” my husband would say. Well, I do have some, and it did!

When one of my kiln elements failed three weeks ago, I decided it was time to make some of the changes I’d wanted to make with my kiln and replace some other parts proactively. Get it all done at one time. Since my studio space is rather small, I wanted to put my kiln on a stand with wheels so I could move it near the wall when not in use to free up some space to work. When I purchased this kiln, I reused my old kiln vent and that old vent was now showing signs of pending motor failure. It was a model where the motor sits right underneath the kiln and the exposure to heat for so many years had taken a toll on the motor. So I opted to replace it with a new model with the motor on the wall, away from the direct heat of the kiln.

I think the root cause of the element failure was some glaze getting on the element and ultimately during a firing melting on the element and in cooling causing stress and a break to the element. When I removed the element from the holder there was clearly damage to the holder as well that could affect the performance and life of a new element. So… in addition to element and thermocouple replacement I also replaced two element holders that appeared to have some damage. Even though the other elements checked out okay with the ohm meter, I like to replace all the elements and thermocouples at the same time so I know that barring any accidental damage, I should have years of service without equipment failure. (crossed my fingers, knocked on wood and did a little dance to the kiln gods that they will shine success on my firings)

To top it all off, kiln shelves were cleaned of old kiln wash and a nice, new white coat has been applied. They look beautiful.

I’m ready for the first firing of this rehabilitated kiln. I’d ask you to wish me good luck, but I’m not superstitious. I know the finger crossing and wood knocking won’t really help. But the dance for the kiln gods, that’s what really does the trick.

Be well.

Still waiting

Here's a fun little ewer from my last firing

It hasn’t been a really productive week for me in the studio. I did manage to get most of my kiln repairs completed, but am still waiting for the new vent I ordered. Due to a mix-up with the order it probably won’t be delivered until early next week, so I won’t get the kiln all back together until later in the week. During my wait for parts, I’ve filled all my shelves and spare tables with green, bisque and glazed ware (as well as kiln sections). My kiln shelves have a nice white coat of kiln wash waiting to be put to use. I’d hope to get some of the stuff that is sitting fired and ready for my upcoming art tour next weekend, but that doesn’t sound too realistic right now.

On the positive side, it was a beautiful Spring Minnesota day with lots of sun and 70 degree temperatures. This evening as it cools, the neighbors have an oak fire in the back yard that smells great. I’m all caught up on my paper and computer work, ready for a weekend of glazing.

Remember to stop in and see me during the Bluff Country Art Tour next weekend. Be well

9th Annual Bluff Country Studio Art Tour - Revised images

Who’s tired of hearing about the economy?

I know I am and I’m betting you are too. So… no talk about the economy here. Actually, I’m suggesting an escape that will guarantee you don’t think about the economy or any of the negative, doom and gloom press that goes with it.

The 9th Annual Bluff Country Studio Arts Tour is the weekend of April 24 – 26, 2009 in the beautiful bluff country of southeastern Minnesota. The tour is a rare opportunity when artists open their studios to the public in an areas where the views are consider works of art. Below are images of the inside and outside of the tours brochures.

I’m artist #23, but can be found at Clover Gallery in Harmony, which is participant #22. In the spring, the driveway into our studio is usually pretty muddy so Clover Gallery has agreed to be my host. There will be demonstrations throughout the weekend at many of the locations. I’ll be working on the wheel outdoors if the weather cooperates, or demonstrating texturing techniques inside if it doesn’t.

Please come out to visit me and the many other talented artists participating in the tour while you take a pleasant drive in this historic area.