my animals and other adventures

Hugo

Well I have been busy making hares from the trophy heads to free standing ones and I have tried to balance one on its three legs but failed but though I won't be defeated I just need a bit more practice.

Harvey

Humphrey

Sidney

These apart from Hugo have now been delivered to a new gallery for me in Holmfirth https://www.facebook.com/Willowtreegalleryholmfirth?fref=ts

But I have been playing too 

The badgers are going into the kiln tomorrow. I have used stoneware with a porcelain slip and manganese stain so we shall see. Only made two quite small examples so we will find out at the weekend. 

And this was me playing whilst casting more parian pots 

for the C word shows!

So what do we think? I am enjoying it I just need to make more 

time to get in the studio to keep practicing.

Procrastination and all that!

So I am sat at the computer with a application behind my blogger pages I know I know the deadline is today but sometimes you just have to take a minute or two to check facebook, twitter, etc etc. I am halfway through it but just taking a moment honest but I have been telling myself that for about an hour after updating the phone, downloading pics, and ordering things I will get on I promise but first a little blog update :-)

Cuthbert

Mortimer

Samson

Bernard

So four new hares to add to the family  and Boris found his

 new home almost as soon as he was out of the kiln. 

They have promised pictures to follow when 

they have put him on the wall in this new home. 

 

So Potfest was a success and 5 out of 7 hares displayed went to their new homes so I am spending some time developing full bodied hares and also a few more tropgy heads to hopefully go to galleries, we shall see. I would like to play with foxes too but am feeling I need to master my hares first but it's been a while that I have been soo excited about a new venture. 

So this weeks been a catching up on officey stuff and also old friends. On Wednesday I had a lovely visit from my friend Carolyn we are trying to smile and look lovely without baggy eyes and double chins here. It was so lovely to see her and catch up on the comings and goings of each others lives. She is glowingly pregnant so I better get knitting!  Also a catch up on the Cross Gaits Inn at Blacko with new work hung the week after Potfest in the Park. I framed up some drawings I was playing with I am not sure if they will be ceramics yet we shall just have to watch this space.They just so made me smile.

Dora

Dorothy

It has been a tough year this one and I couldn't have done it without the help of my family and friends so I am feeling reflective today. Well when you have to write a positive account of yourself you realise you couldn't get to that point without the love and support of others so here at the bottom of my procrasinations I am going to say thank you to everyone who has supported me this year you know who you are :-)

Oh ok I am going back to the application honest x

Quick update on those post show blues

Well I know it has over a week but I just can't seem to make anything of much value as I sit in my tidyish studio (it's been mopped!). I have started with hares and mixing the clay with porcelain and actually wedging I know wedging the clay together to see if I can get a more whiter base. Yes I am obsessed with white I know. But I think I may need to add some grog or try a different clay for that so back to the drawing board. My hares were so well received and having been sent some amazing emails over the past week I think I need to push myself into making more and being a little more braver. Here hoping cross those fingers for me. 

Timothy went off to his new home

Thomas found a new place too

Potfest int the Park part 2 2013

Wow tired today it was such a lovely weekend very positive comments about the work and lots of nice potters I have had probably the best one yet (not sales but close) though they are all good experiences. Just what I needed after the year I have had health wise so phew I am at last sitting down and a day off is in order with the lovely Dylans mum or Gwen Bainbridge to most! But before all that I thought whilst in the moment I would just let you see the fabulous creations from the competition on the lawn at the show. Its' always a good range of ideas and talent this year was no exception. I thought they were anyway maybe if you missed it you could go and see next year. Put it in your diaries now. I never know if I will be there or not as its selected and have never counted my chickens but go anyway, book it in now!

Hannah McAndrew

Alvin Irving

Annie Peaker

Gwen Bainbridge

Gwen Bainbridge

George Ormerod

Christine Hester Smith

Wendy Kershaw

Wayne Clarke

David Cooke

Christine Cox

Christine Cox

Joanne Cooke

Potfest in the Park 2013 update

So Potfest has been and gone and the obligatory picture of Dylan the toast monsters nose is here again. He is the most beautiful saluki lurcher and is currently curled up on the sofa asleep next to me. Bless him. Well Potfest has been amazing and here are some pics of my stand and the fabulous potters I have shared a tent with for the last 3 days. I will blog more about the competition pieces on the lawns in front of the 'big house' but at the moment I am tired and happily sleepy so off to bed until tomorrow and I will update you all on the marvelous adventure had at this years Potfest in the Park!

Dylans Mum Gwen Bainbridge

Gwen Bainbridge

                                                Nick Williams

 Ellen Rijsdorp

Potfest in the Park Prep

So I have been casting vases and making birdhouses as Potfest is coming around fast again. I have been in a few schools too so not sure if I am meeting myself coming back at the moment keeping busy. 

I need to make my competition pieces too but have been playing too much on decoration and actually having fun. I never thought I would have the patience to decorate and I always admired Dylans mum for her patience and attention to detail, her work is rather gorgeous. Anyway I have been sat in the garden looking at flowers, forms and colours and avoiding the extra decal firing and also being organised enough to order them in time. So underglaze pencils and pots of colour have been littering the table. I hope you like at least one or two of them let me know what you think.

cow parsley

dandelion clocks

hare mad

Inspired by my drawings from the Witches 400 programme

The next photos are samples on the same posy vase I think I was playing but also testing what colours will take the high fired temperature to be honest as some of my lavender drawings lost their purple tones previously.

Which one should become a design?

I am not sure I think I might have to play some more!

Forms are now ready for booking the fantastic joint workshop with textile artist Priscilla Jones 

Please email me if you would like a form on info@juliemiles.co.uk weekend dates are 21st/22nd September 2013 should be a fabulous weekend.