About two years ago my BC Coast-dwelling cousin asked me to make him a big Bald Eagle Feast Dish, in my own style. I put off making it for too long but once I had switched over to my red earthenware clay again, in June, it was time. It’s basically just a big oval casserole, but the fierce eyes and big yellow beak on his head and his white tail are what identify this beastly creature. So one day soon this fellow will live in a cabin overlooking the orcas in Broughton Strait.
Another special request was from my next-door neighbour. Alice and her family are moving away very soon and she asked me to make a drawing of their pretty ‘blue house’ on a plate. I enjoyed doing that and they seem pleased with the one-off plate.
Other requests were for simple dimpled cups, and an Eastern Yellow-headed Blackbird jugbird.
Yellow-headed Blackbird & Eagle jugbirds
There were also two ‘little brown jugs’ and a small bowl that I made just because I wanted to carve it. It is lined with creamy slip and clear glaze, with terra sigillata enhancing the carved outside. I love how that feels.
lbj jugbirds
Here again is the plate that I started painting alongside my visiting Raiders, and another dimpled cup that seems to match it. Clearly I’m fond of these colours in my slip collection.
slip-painted slab coupe & dimpled cup
Along with the Raiders’ plates shown in my last blog, these pots represent a kiln load. It doesn’t seem much for a month, and already I’ve been asked for more jugbirds.
But Alan and I are looking forward to a holiday on Vancouver Island with our family very soon. It will be particularly special as right after that Steve, Jen, Caleb, Bennett and Lucas will be moving to Edmonton for Steve’s new position as a dean at NAIT. Already we are considering trips there and another BC holiday with them all next summer. Happily Mike has no plans to leave Vancouver!
I’ll probably distract myself when we get home by fishing out the stoneware clay and starting on some new work for Fall soda firings.
This photo was taken by photographer Timo Juurakko during June’s Port Moody SHUFFLE. Thank you Timo!
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