Bruce W. Bowers
Wood Fired Pottery
and
Digital Photo Montage
Phil Rogers Workshop
at
Monocacy River Pottery
Took Place as Scheduled and was a HUGE SUCCESS!
August 22-23, 2011, from 10:00 - 5:00
11801 Hunt Club Road, Thurmont, Maryland
The workshop with Phil was really terrific! He opened with a power point presentation of some of the influences on his work and of his work, itself. Following this was a day of throwing. Even after years and years of working on the wheel, many of us found ideas, techniques, and inspiration from Phil's approach to the process. He was incredibly open and communicative and addressed any questions or concerns with patience, humor, and honesty.
At 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm that day, we had a group potluck dinner combined with a "meet the artist" night. Everyone had a chance to speak with Phil and it turned out to be a charmed evening. It's not everyday that one gets a chance to speak socially with one of the most famous potters in the world.
The second day was devoted to trimming and altering forms that were thrown the day before. Prior to that, Phil showed a movie that we projected on a screen with a digital projector and laptop. When I compare all the days I have spent tapping my pots to center for trimming, it was really an eye opener to see a whole new way of addressing this part of the making process. Since the workshop, many of us have taken to Phil's technique of trimming on a damp clay, truncated cone (in the style of Hamada and Leach) and have not only saved time, but brought a new sphere of possibilities to trimming. It was interesting to see how pots can be trimmed wet while still on the wheel; thereby eliminating the need for much more than a final few definitive touches to the base.
Following this, Phil did some hands on glazing with participants. I had all of his suggested ash and shino glazes prepared and he gave us some useful tips on slip and glaze application. Several folks stayed after the workshop was formally over and I served as a helper in the glazing proces.
The next day it was back to Wales. Driving Phil to the airport was a lot of fun. I got to know him a little bit and found the experience to be memorable and educational. The next time all of us saw Phil was two weeks later, after our pots were fired and unloaded, during a group Skype session. This was not only a way for him to see the work, but also a really nice way to wrap up the workshop.
Please find some photos from the event below:
At 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm that day, we had a group potluck dinner combined with a "meet the artist" night. Everyone had a chance to speak with Phil and it turned out to be a charmed evening. It's not everyday that one gets a chance to speak socially with one of the most famous potters in the world.
The second day was devoted to trimming and altering forms that were thrown the day before. Prior to that, Phil showed a movie that we projected on a screen with a digital projector and laptop. When I compare all the days I have spent tapping my pots to center for trimming, it was really an eye opener to see a whole new way of addressing this part of the making process. Since the workshop, many of us have taken to Phil's technique of trimming on a damp clay, truncated cone (in the style of Hamada and Leach) and have not only saved time, but brought a new sphere of possibilities to trimming. It was interesting to see how pots can be trimmed wet while still on the wheel; thereby eliminating the need for much more than a final few definitive touches to the base.
Following this, Phil did some hands on glazing with participants. I had all of his suggested ash and shino glazes prepared and he gave us some useful tips on slip and glaze application. Several folks stayed after the workshop was formally over and I served as a helper in the glazing proces.
The next day it was back to Wales. Driving Phil to the airport was a lot of fun. I got to know him a little bit and found the experience to be memorable and educational. The next time all of us saw Phil was two weeks later, after our pots were fired and unloaded, during a group Skype session. This was not only a way for him to see the work, but also a really nice way to wrap up the workshop.
Please find some photos from the event below:
Part of our Group
Phil and Keiko
A Post Firing Conversation with Phil, in Wales, via Skype
Me Stoking at Cone 10
Phil Applying Slip at the Wheel
Bruce and Phil
