Jenna Leigh: September 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Unloaded the Bisque Kiln

Went mostly well...

except two of my bowls didn't make it.

Which we knew was a risk when stacking them in the kiln. Learning experiences.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

I enrolled myself in 10 weeks of weaving classes at The Little Loomhouse. Unfortunately not enough people signed up so they are unable to hold the classes. I did, however, make the trip out there anyway and had a lovely chat with Sally Moss. She is a master weaver, very talented and worked over 11 years under Lou Tate herself. I learned a lot tonight about the history, about weaving, about Lou Tate and about Sally. After getting a small taste of what all goes into the preparation for weaving, I'm not sure to what extent I will take my curiosity. I do still want to dabble into it a bit. I fell in love with the Loomhouse tonight. At the very least I would like to find some way of getting involved, perhaps volunteering.

Wisteria Cabin: gift shop and office

Tophouse Cabin: Studio Space

Artwork Trades:

this is why I love art school. (among other reasons)

A friend of mine, Patrick Rademaker, gave me this yunomi mug.

Also, another friend of mine is going to blow me a glass and I am knitting him a hat.

Public Art

This lovely piece of art caught my eye while walking at school today. An original print by Hound Dog Press. Although I felt bad taking it, seeing as how it is advertising a wonderful festival, I could not resist. I was assured by the fact that there were several others, therefore people will still be made aware of the happenings at The Writer's Block Festival.

"The designers and printers of The Writer’s Block Festival posters, Hound Dog Press, have also provided the festival with a workshop to teach attendees the art of letterpress. Hound Dog will open their facilities, allowing registered attendees a chance to use their antique presses to make a keepsake of their very own. Along with the tutorial, the gracious hosts will also provide a historical perspective on the art form itself."

I found it quite ironic that in a sea of posters and advertisements in the Bingham Humanities building at the University of Louisville that this, of all things, caught my attention. Just last week I enrolled myself in one of the workshops they mention on this poster, in fact the letterpress workshop with Hound Dog Press. I have been religiously checking Hound Dog's websites for workshop since their last one in February that I could not attend. I could not be more excited to attend this workshop, especially after scoring this poster. I intend to find a nice frame for it and hang it in my room.

Monday, September 26, 2011

First Bisque Fire

Loaded a kiln for the first time today, super excited. Contains work from myself and several other students in my class, including Kendall Herdelin.

Basic Info:

Bisque (noun) refers to ware which has been fired once and has no chemically bonded water left in the clay. Bisque is a true ceramic material, although the clay body has not yet reached maturity.

To bisque (verb) is to fire the clay for the first time.

Bisque fire (noun) is the first firing and is usually only to between cones 08 and 06 (1720 and 1835 degrees F or 945 and 1005 degrees C). However, sometimes a clay matures at a higher temperature than the glaze that the potter wants to use on the pot. When that is the case the bisque firing may be higher in temperature, with a lower temperature glaze firing.