Getting Ready for Lemonade Season

This lovely pitcher holds the better part of a gallon of lemonade and was made by Neil Estrick back when were in grad school at Utah State. Wood fired with lots of drippy ash on one side and nice toasty fly-ash on the other side. Love that nice thick handle. Seems to give it just the right amount of lift and strength.

I am really looking forward to parties outside on the lawn this summer, with lots of tea and lemonade from all of our pitchers! (Might be time to stock up on some tumblers though)

Woodfired Pots: Flashing, Ash, and WOW!

There is something very special about being asked to photograph the best pots from a potter's woodfired kiln. You know, right off the bat, that these pots have been through hell. And these, of all of them, are the ones special enough to make the cut.

These woodfired pots are more of Cary Joseph's work that I photographed at the end of May. These were fired in Julie Crosby's wood kiln. Much of the kiln had great flashing with not a ton of drippy ash to muddle the clean throwing style that Cary favors.



In many instances, I am only the second person (after the potter who unloaded the kiln,) to have ever held these pots. That is a sensational experience. To be able to run my hands over the rough surface, the ash slickened drips down the side of the pot, to feel the silkiness of the glaze inside... all transform this ball of fired clay into something magical. I always feel privileged to be asked to photograph pottery, especially when my friends are such great potters!