Stone Monkey Ceramics Collector's Pot 2009

Andy,

Please accept my compliments, your new collectors pot is a winner. Great attention to detail and I liked your explanation of the changing colors.

Was the red blush intentional or a result of the firing?

Is this a porcelain or white stoneware clay body?

Great work.

Cheers,
Paul

Paul

The red blush was intentional but hard to get right in the gas kiln and on the right places on the pot, lots of trial and error
The clay body is a grogged white stoneware body a bit like T Material

Thanks for your kind words

All the best

Andy

Bidding has started here at www.stonemonkeyceramics.co.uk/specials.asp

All the best

Andy

Hi Andy,

It is really exciting watch your auction.
I think in the end it is again quite exciting because the beautiful pot is much, much more valuable.

(This pot is indistinguishable from an ancient Chinese pot,a masterpiece)

regards
Peter

Peter

Thankyou for your kind words and support. Its comments like this from great ceramic artists like yourself that push me on and give purpose to what I love and adore doing

Kind regards

Andy

I checked out your pot on your website too. It is truly a work of art. The subtle variations in the color of its sides makes it even more unique, helping to show its own personality.

Perhaps one day I could learn about the type of gas kiln you use? I am currently sizing up different ones and I am interested in learning which type bonsai potters use

Thanks Andy.

Hi Rob

Thanks for the comments. It means alot to hear constructive comments from other potters about your work.

I currently use a 9 cubic front loading down draft gas kiln. Down draft means that the heat from the flames fill the kiln from top to bottom and then escape via a slot low down in the chimney which means the kiln will hold as much heat as possible before it leave via the chimney.

At the time I got my kiln I sort of jumped in feet first and got a front loader, if I was to get another, which I plan to do but it will cost me £5000, I would get a wide circular, oval or rectangular top loader. This would enable us Bonsai Potters to make and fire shallow wide containers which is what we want. At present I am limited to making pots about 20" x 17" which is still a bit pot, but it limits you to a certain extent.

The other thing you will need to get your head round is glaze recipies and they will react diferently in a reduction atmosphere as they do in an oxidized one. Copper based glazed for example, red in reduction and greeny to black in oxidized. You will have fun with that one and you will get some good reandom effects to. That's the joy of gas fired kiln they can be a little unpredicatble which has is good and bad points

Good luck with getting your kiln and I will wait with baited breath to see your first firing I enjoy reading your blog too!

All the best

Andy

Thanks Andy!

I am looking at a gas conversion kit for my small electric. This will enable me to try out firing in reduction and see where it takes me. I get a lot in inspiration looking at the pottery here (lovely colors and stains/washes) and I want to get my feet wet with some small pieces first. But that will leave me in a bit of a predicament. I would then need a new bisque kiln.

So now I am saving up for a large electric. I am considering a 28" circular or an oval sized kiln. Right now I am leaning toward a circular shape because I am concerned about the oval size having too much temperature variation. I know there is a brand here in the states that makes a VERY LARGE oval electric with a 3 zone control thermocouple, but it remains a bit too big and expensive. Have you heard of anything like that happening (temp. variation) with the gas model oval you are contemplating? I was just wondering, because I have a feeling that an oval or circular is not going to give you as good circulation (convection) as what you have now.

Ah kilnage ...

Rob

Why would you need a new bisque kiln? I bisque fire in my gas kiln no problem

Regards

Andy

Andy,

I believe its still a bit cheaper to use an electric than propane here in my neck of the woods....

If you get around to it perhaps you could PM me a link with the gas oval kiln you are interested in?

Thanks,
Rob

Rob

I will dig out some info and send it to you

Regards

Andy

Bidding ends at midnight GMT on 31.10.09

Currently the "Tao of Bamboo" will be on its way to Spain when the auction is over

Kind regards

Andy

Only a few hours to go before the auction ends at midnight GMT

Regards

Andy

Bidding is over and I am pleased to announce that this years collectors pot will reside in the UK

Thanks so much for your bids and all your interest

Kindest regards

Andy

Congrats to the winner!!!

Thanks Irene

Regards

Andy