Making work for July 17th Kiln Opening

We have just finished making work for the UNC-TV pledge drive recently and now focusing on a new batch of pots for our July 17th kiln opening. This opening will be held in the evening 7pm-9pm. We had a kiln opeing similar to this a couple of years ago and was a lot of fun having a chance to fellowship with customers and friends. A preview with food and refreshments will be from 6pm-6:50pm. Our focus will be on serving and pouring vessels. I made a large scale Chinese style Ewer similar to one I saw while in China two years ago in the Shanghai Art Museum and have never forgotten the form. It has been a good challenge in function and aesthetics. I hope to do a variety of these along with other teapots, teacups and serving dishes. LoriAnn has also returned to the wheel making some pots in the past month and she will have a batch of pots for July 17th as well. Most of her pieces will be small bowls and vases. She also enjoys carving in the clay. More work in process posted here again soon. Ben

Our family took a trip to Tweetsie Railroad  near Blowing Rock NC to see Thomas the Train.  We had a fun trip.  Ivey is into trains BIG TIME and was loving it!   Our daughters Avery and Juliana had fun too.  

New York Project

Recently, we have been working on some pieces for a project in NY for a building at Bryant Park and the Covered Jars are a couple of pieces installed in a lobby.  I will have more images to add to this as I have completed.  It has been a great project to work on with the opportunity to work in large scale.  These are about 36" tall.  More info soon.  Ben

Bamboo Patch Visit

Our family gathered for Mother's Day recently and we took the family across the road to our neighbors place to see the bamboo patch that is over 50 years old.  It is amazing to walk into the middle of this large patch.  Need less to say that the kids and big kids loved it.  Some of the bamboo is over 3 + inches in diameter and 35-40 feet tall.  We may be building a bamboo fort for the kids in the near future.

This is the first time posting to our blog and hope this will let you know a little more about what is going on at the Studio and our family.  The vase to the right is part of a few pieces I have completed recently for a project in NY for a lobby.  I have been promised some photos of them once they are installed.