7 August, 2004 - 28 October, 2005

Exhibtion Clay in Bloom.

"TREE CONES AVENUE". I was very pleased to be one of the 18 Ceramic Artists selected to show in the travelling exhibition CLAY IN BLOOM to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Scottish Potters Association, August 2004. We had to submit a piece inspired by something from one of the gardens of The Royal Botanic`s Scotland. My idea was taken from the quarter mile long avenue of Giant Redwoods at Benmore just a bit south of here, I was fascinated by the thought that all of the trees in the avenue could have grown from the seeds from just one cone so in homage to it I made an avenue of cones which could be seen as either big cones or a miniature landscape of wee trees. Hand thrown then altered and wood fired, the largest two cones are approximately 90cm tall getting progressively smaller until the smallest pair are approx 30cm they were then set in a forced V shape to enhance the perspective when viewed from the right position.------------------------------------The exhibition went on to Falkirk, Dumfries,Thurso, Inverness and finished in Tobermory on October 28th 2005.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The first photograph is of my Nephew Ewan having a look at the piece in situ` at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The second photo is the piece at Benmore.

27 August 2005

Porcelain Mice.

We could have the start of a new range if only I could find a supply of white or pink leather for their tails. I don`t suppose anyone out there knows of one? (White mice do not look quite right with brown tails).

25 November 2005

Tree Cones Avenue.

Since we now have the complete exhibition piece "Tree Cones Avenue", back from the year long show "Clay in Bloom"(See first entry), I thought it would look good up on the bank between the Pottery and the road set out in a straight line (sort of "coned it off"), having done that I took some photographs this morning. Not only does it look great up there and catch peoples attention as they go past, at the moment it shows the good frost proofing our pots have what with the snow and everything on them. See photographs beneath. (Tree Cones Avenue can be purchased from the pottery as one piece if you have the space, including fixings and the plinths. The cones are clamped down to the plinths with metal bolts inside then pegged and bolted to the ground so there is no chance of any little accidents and as it took quite a long time to set them up it would also take quite a lot of effort with all the right tools to half inch them as well).

16 - 17 April, 2006

New Jacket Vase.

I've just managed to take some photo's of the latest in the evolving line of my hand thrown, cut vases. Based on the Waistcoat Vase it sort of looks a bit like an 18th century navel uniform to me but maybe there's something else going on in my sub contuse because a couple of ladies that were in the showroom the other day had me laughing as one said to the other, "It's like one of those naughty nighty's, you know the ones that need one of those special things to undo". The other lady replied, "what you mean a man?" NO"! said the first lady "Certainly not", and collapsed in a fit of the giggles.-- So make of them as you will, (I must admit I'd rather imagine an attractive young girl wearing them than some big hairy bloke!)

13 July 2006

New Transport.

Well I have finally done it! I have reluctantly given in to my sensible side and we have a new car, OK so this one is a wee bit 'bling' but unlike my beloved coupe you can get some fair sized boxes in our very smart new T5 estate. She holds even more than our old Astra van did! I just hope our grand old C70 T5 goes to a good home as she has done us proud and still goes like a rocket when asked to overtake anything. ("That's only up to 60mph on main roads and only when it's safe to do so ofcourse Mr Police Officer"!) Pics are of V70 and C70 respectively. (I'd like to thank Mr Miller of Strathmore Volvo for such a good deal and we all, especially the dogs love the new car. I still think the old C70 is a more beautiful shape though).

7 October 2006

New Quiver Bowls.

I have just taken photographs of some of the new shapes that came out of this firing along with the Quiver bowls which you can use with chop sticks, cocktail sticks, flowers or what ever you like in the side pot (or quiver as the wee pot looks a bit like the thing in archery where you store your arrows), they are for nibbles, dips or sweets etc, based on a hat shape with a bit of a twist and more than a little nod towards Joe Finch's old cut rimmed bowls but well- have a look for yourself (see photo's), I have also done some wee Bats for Halloween they are aprox' 6 to 8 cm tall (last picture).

27 October - 18 November, 2006

Solo Exhibition.

I am pleased to have been asked to do a solo exhibition in "Sunny Leith". At The Leith Gallery, that's way down south east of Scotland "in" or as they like to say in Leith "near" Edinburgh, Their website is www.the-leith-gallery.co.uk I have been making mainly one off pieces for Leith as this is what Jan has asked for so don't expect to see any mugs or jugs - see photographs of some of the pots that are going to the exhibition.

16 January 2007

Argyll Exhibition.

I am very pleased to have also been asked to be one of the artist and craftsmen to be a part of, "THE ARGYLL BOXED COLLECTION", an exhibtion of 30 peoples work who live and work in Argyll. As the name implies we have to make a piece that fits in to a box 12 inches square by 6 inches deep, which should be interesting to see what everyone has done for it as I am told we can do "ANYTHING" with the box! The exhibtion is to be at AN TOBAR on the Isle of Mull starting on the 25th of November and on to December 31st. Then it will hopefully go on to tour Scotland, the Central belt etc as a part of The Highland Year of Culture in 2007. And what am I going to do for it? Have a wee look at the photo's below, I have called it, "Blooming Box" as I like to think outside of the box and I work very much in 3D not 2 it is sort of based on Tulips bursting in to flower but with a bit of a different angle, they might look like they are about to fall off the wall - I love that, scary isn't it? But believe me they are very well secured. An Tobar's website is www.antobar.co.uk ----------------------Up date the exhibition has gone on to the Oban Cal Mac Ferry Terminal Oban, Where it looks very nice, more photos next piece in diary.

17 January 2007

Argyll Exhibition 2.

I have to say I am a wee bit disappointed that my piece is not attached to the wall but the exhibition space in Oban is not so good (walls are not up to carrying 10kg of box) but there was a good turn out for the opening and there was great celtic music etc and the whole thing seemed to go down very well with the folk of the Oban area.

28 July - 1 September, 2007

Exhibition

I am pleased to say that I have had pieces accepted in to the SPA's selected exhibition that is to be at the Strathearn Gallery Crieff in Perthshire running from July 28th to 1st September. Photographs are of the kind of pots I have made for the exhibition, for more info' on the exhibition and how th get there look up www.strathearn-gallery.com

20 - 27 September, 2007

Wee Trip Abroad

Just back from visiting my Brother Nick who lives in the Isle of Man, it's a lovely place, we were very lucky with the weather and had a brilliant time! Went out lobster fishing with Nick & his pal Malcolm one morning, which was great, the sea was a wee bit choppy but that just adds to the fun and fresh lobster is delicious! Had a very touristy look round the island and its celtic background. I suppose we might see a few more influences from there in my work soon? We will see. It was great to see Nick and also have a bit of time off. Going around the TT motorbike race track is really quite good fun. There are no speed limits outside the town centres and one or two very busy roads on the island which sound great until you realise that means that you have to look out for very fast vehicles coming at you from behind and ahead at all times as well as the odd tractor puling out from a farm gate or something but it seems to work very well in fact as I think it makes you a more responsible driver. I got to wondering why Castle Town is named as it is? Maybe Roy Castle performed a concert there a few times or something? (Or maybe the ruddy great Castle slap bang in the middle might have something to do with it!)

17 November - 24 December, 2007

Christmas Exhibition 2007.

The Strathearn Gallery 32 West High Street in Crieff have asked me to be in their Christmas Exhibition this year which is great! Fiona who runs the gallery was it seems very pleased with my pots that we put in to the SPA selected exhibition in July this year. (Photo's are of some pieces). More info at www.strathearn-gallery.com

30 December 2007

New member of staff.

We lost Mac our dear old Lab on November the 5th, a nicer dog you'd find it very hard to meet and Bailey our Beagle has been like the rest of us a wee bit lost without him but we just picked up Murphy our new puppy, I know Mac is a hard act to follow but this little fellow seems to have quite a character and apart from one or two miner troubles with very big soft Beagle ears and tiny needle sharp puppy teeth we are all getting along famously.

31 January 2008

New Basket Vases.

Well I was thinking about the SPA Exhibition about Basket making that's coming soon and what with the influence of the long ships in the Isle of Man last year when I was on holiday I came up with these. (It might tell you a bit about how my head works and the way I was inspired if you think of the Viking longships without the long bit in the middle or the head and tail of the Dragon just the bow and stern squished together).

31 January 2008

Shoulder Vases.

Another new shape I came up with recently was the shoulder or torso vases. (Not sure what to call them but though I say it myself, I think they do look good with an arrangement of flowers or twigs in them, kind of surreal).

14 - 28 February, 2008

Hugh's the Daddy (again).

Hugh's other half has had another wee baby boy! last night both are doing well but this means we are a bit short on staff at the moment while Hugh's off. (Update) Hugh is back abit sleepy I think but as I keep saying to him, "You will have them!" Hugh and his partner Carol have decided to call their new wee boy Callum.

7 - 9 March, 2008

Scottish Potters AGM at Kindrogan.

Just recovering from the SPA's AGM (pottery demo' + excuse for a booze up), and I think a good time was had by most folk that attended. We saw demonstrations by the great Mike Dodd and Richard Godfrey as well as our own Alison Weightman. Mike showed his almost effortless skill in his slow self assured way of making which only comes with years of practice, Richard showed the same flair but in a much more animated way, in fact just the same as their pots Mike's are more calm and Richard's are quite manic but some how I loved both just as well as each other. I have to admit that smoke firing just doesn't quite do it for me but each to their own and Alison shows great enthusiasm in her work and a great deal of ability.

9 March 2008

Scottish Potters AGM at Kindrogan 2.

Some more Photographs of the AGM. (Please note that Alison is the lady in the red hat not the girl with black cap + VPL).

11 April 2008

Copper Red

I have just sorted out the copper red tests from this firing and they were all very much OK from all parts of the kiln, it doesn't like being too hot but that's great as we have a lot of glazes that like it hot and only the cobalt blue that really likes it cool apart from this new copper. The photo is of test pots from hot and cold spots so I think we have a winner here! There is only one with no red and that was right over the bag wall (very hot) and it is still turning greener by the day so it's OK anyway. Please note that there are some pots in the porcelain (the white rimmed ones) and others in the stoneware with brown edges which are may be not quite so zingy.

3 May - 13 July, 2008

Exhibition at Stirlings Smith Gallery.

Out of The Fire is the Scottish Potters Associations 2008 open exhibition and the photograph is of the pots I have put in. I thought I'd do domestic pots this time as there have been too few shown in the last year or so. Contact web address is - http://www.pottery.makers.org.uk/stirling Update- Having just been to the opening I can say it's well worth the time to go and see there is as usual diverse mix of ceramics and I was pleasantly surprised by the standard of everyones work. Some of Hannah McAndrew's very proficient slipware sits next to some very eye catching vibrant copper red Porcelain by Harding & Palmer, there are luscious ladies by Karen James and jugs by Kirsty O'Conner with a similer Earth Mother natured theme which have been smoke fired. The back wall is covered with very interesting pieces, Miriam Reed's 3D landscapes and fish in net scenes I think are particularly outstanding, (get it? 3D - outstanding? OK I will get on with the review). Stuart Orr's shapes reminded me somewhat of Tim Burton's world also as quite a dyed in the wool thrower I have to say I was very impressed by Vera Bolden's Magnificent coil pot looking almost organic or to me like it could be an enormous wasps nest.

20 May 2008

Another new member of Staff!!!

Not that I am comparing her to the dog (Re' 30th Dec entry) although I would say she is very cute, it's in a wee bit different way to a puppy. Nicola starts working today as our Summer season assistant and it seems like (fingers crossed, when she has worked out our funny little ways and quite how to work the showroom till!?!) she should fit in here just fine. It also looks like She is well on the way to being a very good potter.

24 - 25 May, 2008

Fete of Barcaldine.

We went to the Barcaldine Fete today and did a demo / have a go session, it was great! and I think everyone had a good time. I'm not sure that I could have done the whole day but Hugh and Nicola did a grand job (and I think they liked doing it too). There was alot more than just us there ofcourse but after we set up and I had made a few big pots we were busy most of the day, we all took turns to help folk that wanted to have a shot at it. (Hugh went back to the pottery to open up in the afternoon). There were quite a few grown ups wanting a go but the kids just loved it. Good to know there's still such an interest and we have made some money for charity.

4 - 5 June, 2008

Appin School demo

I think we must be gluttons for punishment as we have just done another demonstration / have a go at Appin Primary School, just a few weeks after the fete. The place was mobbed at times and we ended up still potting there three quarters of an hour after we were supposed to be finished! Everyone seemed to enjoy it and some folk did very well considering it was their first attempt. Things were only slightly marred by the weather getting a wee bit colder and windy but we were very lucky really as it didn't chuck it down as it threatened to do a few times. Hugh brought one of the wheels down in his trailer and Nicola helped out again and did a great job. She is off to see Fat boy slim in concert at Loch Ness this weekend, I just hope the weather stays good for her then as well. (Apologies for the quality of some of the photo's but I was potting just before taking the pictures and I got clay on my phones camera lens, they are a bit misty).

19 - 23 June, 2008

Next Firing

We are packing the kiln today Thursday 19th, fire the kiln Friday 20th, Unpack Sunday - Monday 23rd loads more pots (fingers crossed).

20 - 23 June, 2008

Latest Kiln Firing.

We are firing the kiln today Fiday 20th more pots on Monday afternoon. Update- 23rd It's a good one! Photo's are of front stack, back stack and cone dragon top front then bottom front is a Fish for a change (cones are temp' guides which melt when we have reached the right heat). One or two problems with the firing but very nice over all even the Tenmoku is good this time (it's been a bit too metallic recently).

28 June 2008

Showroom

We have just finished sorting out the showroom after the last firing so as we have had such a nice response from folk when we have photographed it before I thought I'd better take some more shots.

28 - 29 June, 2008

Showroom 2

some more pictures. Note the Tenmoku (black glazed) pots in the first photo of this set, I am told it is really back in this year which is great as I have always loved its subtlety.

28 - 30 June, 2008

Showroom 3

There is a bit of a clash of cultures in the first photgraph on this set, my TV Dinner bowls with the leather thongs on the handles (so that the bowl will not burn your hand when it comes out of the oven), and the old fashioned jar and smokers pipes. - Picture 3, Please take note that I have made up my mind to hand paint my fish decoration facing left as you look at them so there should be no more confusion from now on, (once all the right facing pieces have sold, see wine jug).

1 - 3 July, 2008

New Computer

OH Dear! well it was going to happen some day but it was still not nice when my old lap top died. I think it was really my own falt (put too much on it) but we have a new one now, so I hope you will not mind too much if things go wrong for a while as I don't know where everything is just yet. (spell check etc) I think we will be able to get the old on fixed some time but until then I have not lost much but I didn't back up my e mail address file so if you are expecting to but don't hear from us that's why.

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