Finch Pottery 2000
Biz Littell
"The Vapors" Workshop
Finch Pottery
Bailey, North Carolina
November 4 and 5, 2000
Guest Presenters: Biz Littell and Judith C. Day, Laloba Ranch Clay Center, Steamboat
Springs, CO
When Sylvia and I received the announcement of this years workshop and read the bios of Biz Littell and Judith C. Day, we began making plans to attend. The primary focus was to be on the vapor glazing techniques which Biz has developed. Judith Day is the founder and director of Laloba Ranch Clay Center which has been accumulating quite a reputation for hosting workshops by some of the very best potters available. Check out their ad in Ceramics monthly.
On Friday afternoon before the workshop, we stopped at Finch Pottery to say hello to Dan and his extended family. Biz and Judith were getting things ready for Saturday morning but took time out to greet us. Both were genuinely open and interested in our own pottery. Biz was excited about the fuming process of enhancing the surface of pottery and took the time to explain the process and techniques he employed. I had brought a couple pieces of porcelain treated with terra sig but I had not been able to locate the recommended antique brass glaze before leaving home. Dan generously shared what he had and Biz encouraged me to apply the glaze so that it contrast with the white terra sig. They fired it to cone 04 that evening so it would be ready for Saturday morning.
Registration was to start at 8:30am but by that time a lot of familiar faces were already there with their books, badges and coffee in hand. It was great to see so many potters we knew as well as the familiar faces and receive the warm greetings from the people who help Dan put on the workshop. Dan's quiet personality, his knowledge and his ernest desire to create a place where potters can learn and share their talents sets the stage for this annual fall workshop. Dan introduced Biz and Judith after outlining the workshop and laying down the ground rules. With the business taken care of, Biz began with a general description of the fuming process, the hazards, and safety precautions we would follow. This was immediately demonstrated using an electric kiln which had been located outside so that the fumes would easily disperse.
Several pieces of pottery which had at least three coats of Duncan 04 Sy 553 Antique Brass glaze applied had been place in the kiln and heated to 800F degrees. Biz measured(roughly) out about two, possibly three tablespoons of stannous chloride into a nonflamable cup. After donning his gloves and mask, he opened the kiln lid and gently shook the stannous chloride from the cup onto the kiln shelf around the pots while trying NOT to get any directly on them. If there is not sufficient stannous chloride or the temperature is not correct, there will not be enough fuming to develop the desired colors. Too much will cause a scum to develop. The lid was immediately closed and with the spy holes pluged, the kiln was reasonably well sealed for Biz's magic to work.
When we returned to the classroom, Biz and Judie presented slides of their work and the Loloba Ranch Clay Center. Biz discussed some of the various options available for vapor glazing. These bowls were first glazed with "Biz Black" decorated using "Diamond Clear" and fired to cone 04. They were then sprayed with a gold luster, fired to cone 018 and then fumed with stannous chloride to produce the results seen here.
Each of us had been told that we could bring one piece to vapor glaze at the workshop, so during the rest of the day Saturday, several volunteers continued the vapor firings. Some of the last pots were not finished until Sunday morning. During breaks and during lunch and dinner that evening, we all gathered around a table being used to display our treasures.
The dinner Saturday evening has always been great but this year was exceptional. A lot of effort and planning must have gone into the fish fry this year. Everything was great, we don't get hush puppies very often here in West Virginia, so having lived in North Carolina back in the 60's, this was a real treat for us. You wouldn't believe the PIE's. They all looked good but pecan has always been my favorite.
Sunday, Biz began demonstrating his technique of creating wall hangings through a process he calls "slam molding". These hangings can be displayed seperately or as a grouping for a more dramatic effect. An altered square piece partical board with the center cut out is raised above the working surface by attached legs which are three to four inch long. One large clay slab, which was between one half and three quarters of an inch thick, was impressed with a piece of textured material at approximately the location of the center cutout on the form. This slab was then placed on the form so that the textured area sagged into the cutout. By tapping the form on the table, the sag was enhanced. The excess clay pieces hanging over the edges were cut away, their shape altered and then slammed down on the outer edges creating a surface which he continued to enhance with impressions and carvings. These forms are later glazed and fumed to create the desired surface.
I think Dan scheduals these fall workshops to coincide with his birthday just so he can get some extra attention from all the ladies. I know that I would if I had the opportunity. Dan was crowned as "King of Pottery", dubbed "King of Blueberries", etc. We all had a lot of laughs and declared him a "Prince".
This was also Dan's father's birthday and his parents anniversary. It was great to share their special day and for them to invite us to join them.
Dan spoke of his desire for a culture of giving and sharing between potters and the development of an extended family. All of us who have come to know Dan, his wife, his parents and the many people who work to put on these workshops are indebted to the "King of ...."
Check Dan's WebPage at http://www.finchpottery.com for upcoming events.