Happy New Year to all of our potters, readers, and community members, and welcome to another edition of the Warwick Pottery Newsletter! We enter this year extending our heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable presence within our thriving pottery community. The journey we share is not only enriching but also filled with joy and camaraderie. The creative spirit and dedication of the individuals drawn to Warwick Pottery consistently inspire us, and for that, we are truly grateful.
In our January newsletter, we’re recapping our 3rd Annual Pottery Show and Sale. We’re also excited to share what we’ve been up to, some 2024 studio updates, a handy how-to on marbling clay, and finish off with a beautifully written piece by our very own, Vikke Bernich Mathys. Keep on reading to see what we’ve been up to!
With warmth and thanks,
Marilyn
Celebration & Reflection: The Annual Show and Sale
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants of this year’s December Show and Sale. A big thank you also goes out to the entire Warwick Pottery community for their unwavering support and dedication, which has contributed to the success of this event.
The showcased pottery pieces were nothing short of breathtaking, serving as the perfect punctuation at the end of a sentence. Each piece reflected the individual drive, curiosity, and commitment to excellence of its creator. The spirit of our school was truly embraced through the display of these remarkable works, with classmates providing invaluable support throughout the process.
The overwhelming response from the Warwick community and beyond was a testament to the exceptional talent on display. Attendees were delighted by the unique qualities of each potter’s creations, and the praise received highlighted the appreciation for individuality in pottery.
From the teacher’s perspective, the act of putting one’s pottery up for sale marks the culmination of a comprehensive learning process, almost akin to a final exam. It requires delving deep within oneself, confronting fears and self-imposed limitations, and addressing one’s ego. The journey is indeed challenging, even when armed with the knowledge of the essential steps to creating the perfect pot. However, the transformative power of offering one’s first pot for sale and witnessing its purchase cannot be understated. It reaffirms and elevates the entire pottery experience, leading to new avenues of creative exploration.
The magic of the entire process was palpable, and we applaud the bravery, honesty, and willingness demonstrated by all the participants. At Warwick Pottery, we are privileged to attract some of the finest talents, and it is an honor to work alongside such dedicated individuals.
In closing, we extend our warmest congratulations to everyone involved and express our gratitude for contributing to the resounding success of the December Show and Sale.
With much love and admiration,
Marilyn
What’s Happening at Warwick Pottery – We Made Headlines in December!
We are excited to share that in the month of December, Warwick Pottery was featured in TWO separate articles on the Tri-State Lookout. We’d like to thank the fabulous Jessica Cohen and Dixie Comeau for their beautifully written pieces. Check out our favorite excerpts below and make sure to visit the Tri-State Lookout to read the full articles!
A Potter’s Piece on the Powers of Pottery by Dixie Comeau
… ”People are drawn to the practice of pottery for many reasons: because it’s tactile and satisfying, because it’s centering and quiet, because it enables self-expression, and because it’s often performed in community. For me, pottery is the spiritual practice I didn’t know I craved.”
… ”The potters around me in class operate at different levels of skill and experience. We learn and “become” at our own pace, pursuing our own interests, with Warwick Pottery owner Marilyn Dale as our guide and mentor.”
Image: “Birdfriend” by Dixie Comeau
From Exile to Educator: Warwick Pottery Studio’s Marilyn Dale by Jessica Cohen
… Being kicked out of a pottery studio was Marilyn Dale’s first irresistible experience with a pottery wheel… “The teacher said, ‘Don’t ever take a pottery class. Don’t even try it. You have no talent.’ I was aghast. I was always adept.”
… “Potting connects to the self in a spiritual, physical manner, incorporating earth, fire, and water. It touches me profoundly. I don’t lose the wonder for magic and alchemy. I love it as much as I ever loved it.”
Image: Hand-painted pottery by Simara Bruhim
2024 Studio Updates
As Warwick Pottery continues to grow, we are excited to acknowledge the evolving scope of our pottery endeavors. The three fundamental components of pottery – creating the clay object, surface decoration, and firing – have now taken on distinct roles within our studio.
The Glaze Situation – New Year, New Glaze System!
The abundance of glaze options available online has presented a delightful yet overwhelming challenge for us at Warwick Pottery. In response, we will be implementing changes to our glaze selection.
The large buckets of standard glazes will be gradually minimized, focusing on maintaining a select few as primary choices and offering others as accents in smaller containers. Additionally, the use of 12 oz. commercial glazes will be gradually phased out. We are grateful to Rachel for generously offering to create test pots for us to evaluate. To facilitate experimentation, I will procure a class pack of glazes for individuals to try exclusively on our test pieces. If the results resonate with you, you are welcome to obtain and use those specific glazes for your personal projects. This system aligns with the practice of bringing one’s own materials to art studios for painting or drawing classes, fostering individual expression and creativity.
When purchasing glazes, it is essential to ensure they are suitable for firing to Cone Six and are food-safe. Warwick Pottery will gladly fire pieces glazed with privately owned supplies, emphasizing the need for unglazed bottoms and 1/4 inch of the bottom sides of each piece.
Clay Offerings – Four options to fit your style!
We are pleased to introduce a selection of four different types of clay for use! Each clay is available for $40 for a 25-pound bag of clay, with firings and glazes included. Please ensure boxes of clay remain covered with large plastic sheets in the kiln room to prevent them from drying out.
Firing Protocols – It’s Hot, Hot, Hot!
At Warwick Pottery, we bisque fire to cone 06 and glaze fire to cone six, with clearly marked shelves to ensure proper placement of pieces for the designated firings. It is greatly appreciated that our students provide firing pads that are only as wide as the piece. Utilizing firing pads is greatly appreciated by our kiln loaders as its ensures ease of handling and preserves the kiln’s interior.
How to… Marble Clay!
Unleashing the Marvels of Marbled Clay Creations!
Have you ever marveled at the intricate patterns in marbled clay creations? Curious how those stunning swirls come together to form beautiful works of art? Wonder no more, because with practice, you can unlock the magic of marbled clay!
The beauty of marbled clay lies in the natural way that two or more colors of clay combine. Whether it’s hand-built or wheel-thrown, the results are nothing short of breathtaking. So, how exactly can you achieve this marvel? Let’s dive in and discover the wonders of working with marbled clay!
To begin, you will need two different colored clays. Wedge approximately 1lb of each clay. Experiment with different layers of the clay – try placing two balls of clay side by side, or stack them together, one atop the other. You can even explore the possibilities of alternating four balls of clay or adding a thin strip of the opposite color in the middle.
The technique is to center the clays together, make a pot, and remove as much slip as possible using a rib – that’s the key to unlocking the magic! Additionally, trimming when the clay is leather hard will reveal even more beauty, and consider fluting or carving to unveil additional layers of mesmerizing patterns.
If hand-building is more your style, start by wedging the colored clays and then combine them. Once combined, slicing a marbled slab in half can reveal astonishing patterns and be used to build functional pieces with striking patterns!
So get your hands on some brown and white clays, embrace the process, and let your imagination run wild! The possibilities are endless, and the results are simply marvelous. Try it out and prepare to be captivated by the wondrous world of marbled clay creations!
For further reading, check out this recommended Ceramic Arts Network article.
Student Spotlight: January 2024
Introducing… Vikke Bernich Mathys
If I had to describe myself using a catchphrase, I would say that I don’t “color inside the lines.” I never have and never will. I am a productive, efficient, and sometimes high-strung person.
When beginning a piece, I don’t usually start with a game plan or a set idea of what the finished piece should look like. I tend to give away pieces to friends and family so based on what I think they would like, I begin with a basic shape. This could be a vase, a bowl, a mug, or a sugar canister, I don’t lock into a specific idea, I just see where my mind takes me as I am creating.
I tend to be a restless sleeper, so during those quiet late-night hours, I find myself looking through the abundance of Facebook groups and Pinterest posts that feature pottery work and designs. Through this, I gain so much inspiration from scrolling through different glazing techniques and I love trying these techniques and putting my own twist on them for a more personal touch. I used to be a quick and straightforward dip glazer. I used to have no patience for complexity though recently I’ve taken inspirational words of wisdom from my teacher Rachel to heart to become more adventurous. With Rachel’s guidance, I started trying new color combinations and I can see a tangible difference in my pieces.
About twenty-five percent of my pieces come out the way picture in my head, but I do not see the other seventy-five percent of the work I create as complete failures. As I grow stronger in my pottery skills, I learn what I like and what I do not, and most importantly, where I can improve. Whether it’s by throwing, trimming, decorating, or glazing, there are always areas for growth and improvement.
It takes practice and patience to see how each glaze will react once it reaches the kiln. For example, I never knew the importance of angles in glazing. It is extremely fun to combine matte and gloss glazes. Sometimes even putting a little wax resin on some underglazed decorations to see if they will stand out makes all the difference. Ceramics is a creative adventure for me, and I am always up to try new things outside of my comfort zone.
Sometimes projects are a letdown, but when they work the way I imagine it, I get a crafting high that motivates me to evolve my skills even more. Though I am in no way an advanced potter, I enjoy trying new things and improving my throwing skills. I am so amazed at what other students design, and seeing various creations posted online. I am proud to say that I share the love of pottery with such talented people.
The Warwick Pottery Studio has an overabundance of positivity with their amazing teacher, Rachel, the students, and the creative, loving environment. In the Fall of 2022, society was still recovering from the Pandemic, and I questioned what the new normal would be like. Spending around 3 hours every week practicing pottery has helped me overcome so much mentally and emotionally. I used to be a frustrated potter, but since keeping a closet studio at home, my skills have improved tenfold, not to mention my patience as well! With advice and lots of practice, I have been able to not only create but also put my spin on my work, returning to my roots of coloring outside the lines. I have found my Zen at The Warwick Pottery Studio. In a way, this creative outlet saved my life, as it has changed me in more ways than words can express.
I cannot solely take the credit for my work if it wasn’t for my teacher’s and peers’ encouragement to try new things. A HUGE Thank-you to Marilyn Dale for creating such a fabulous studio. So, in closing, don’t be afraid to try new things. Always value and love yourself, including others around you.
