Shaun Hall's Raku Ceramics Blogspot

It was time to visit Southwold again this weekend and a visit to   Buckenham Galleries , to resupply them with pots. This is a  lovely gallery showing Fine Arts, sculpture and painting- as well as ceramics, including pots by Robin Welch.  I have  been dealing with them  since  2006/7 and it's always been a successful place to show and sell work. It was nice to meet new people at the gallery, although much missed is Becky Munting,  the former gallery manager- now focusing on her painting career. Her work can be seen here: http://www.beckymuntingart.co.uk/ Below: Some of the work now on show at Buckenham Galleries, Southwold, Suffolk

A very nice surprise indeed at the weekend. I was contacted by Dr Badar Al Malmari from Oman to confirm that he'd just published his book- "Ceramic Glaze". I'm in the section on Raku. (There's my "Nuclear Jug" in copper matte at the bottom of the page.)  I believe this to be the first book on the subject to be published in the Middle East. I'll let you know when I receive my copy although I doubt I will be able to translate it!

I finally got my hands on the "State of Art" book which arrived this morning. It's primarily a "fine art" book,  focusing on sculptors and those working in 3d/craft. I would say that my entry sits somewhat incongruously in there- but there a couple of other makers  featured who also work with clay. Anyhow I am really pleased to have received my copy. This is the 4th book I have been featured in since 2009, and I have 3 pages devoted to my work which is really good.  

I started a Youtube channel. It'll be an occasional thing- and I hope it might be useful to some of my students. I made one or two throwing videos and there are some short slideshows featuring my pots. I hope people might find it helpful. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFEbE1_OBK5rliDeBGRP6UQ Click the link to go to the channel.  In the meantime here is a recently fired tea-bowl....

I just ordered my copy of "State of Art vol II- 3D and Sculpture." Published just today by Bare Hill- it's a hardback book primarily focused on emerging artists and some established but less well known practitioners Perhaps that's how I gained my way into the publication! I don't tend to think of myself as an "artist" I just make things- but then again- in no way am I a practical or functional Potter. Having said all that -I'm really pleased to be featured amongst some plainly "difficult"- yet thought provoking artists' work. Perhaps not a book for entertaining your mother in law with, but I am none the less very happy to have been included!

I've been busy the last couple of days in the workshop- turning vases and throwing some big dishes. The vases I want to glaze and raku fire before Braintree District Art's fair in June and July. The big dishes I might play around with some volcanic glazes on them over the summer. We'll see.

To turn or not turn? The lady is not for turning? Bachman, Turner Overdrive? D'uhh? Well I wouldn't say I have the greatest  skill as a thrower but I do enjoy turning my pots. It is extremely theraputic- and dare I say it -I enjoy it more than actually throwing them. Which is a bit of luck as I always seem to have a (bad) habit of leaving too much clay on the bottom of vases- so plenty of options then,  for turning the profile and foot. To be honest- throwing is for me, is an enjoyable sideline to making sculptural Raku vessels. I have an appreciation of archaic or ancient  Pottery making styles - anything from Romano- Belgic- Gallic- Saxon...too much time spent in museums, probably as a student.  But I love returning to the wheel. Contrary to my throwing tutor's advice at University (the late great and dearly missed Emmanuel Cooper) who advised me against continuing with throwing as a specialism- I carried on in secret.  Years later I h...