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Susan
Delatour Le Poidevin
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A
Two Day Handbuilding & Sawdust Firing Workshop
Sept 8 & 9, 2007
This workshop focused on remembering
special places, using the house or structure as a starting point.
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click on pictures to
enlarge
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The first thing we did on Saturday
was load a kiln with bisqued wares. Though the glaze aspect of this
workshop focused on application to greenware, we wanted to start the firing
so we could see some results the next day.
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Four layers of sawdust and peat, and three
layers of pots filled the kiln. Handfuls of
salt and copper were added as well in hopes of seeing some flashing. The kiln
was lit and smoldered for the day, and overnight, until Sunday afternoon
when it was opened.
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Susan demonstrated
her approach to hand building by creating two of her signature pieces.
One was a crofter's house, and the other a tall house with a sharp roof, both of which
she became intrigued by when she traveled in Scotland in the 1990's.
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She also demonstrated the application of
low-fire slips and glazes to the greenware including brushing and scratching
techniques, and a resist method using mylar to create a silhouette of a
human figure. The figure is 'stuck' to the surface before glaze is applied,
and removed for the firing.
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Carbons are then free to affect the bare clay. And,
of course, tin foil.
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Crofter's
House
Finished in firing on September 9, 2007
Blind Bay, BC
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On Sunday Susan showed
us a retrospective of her work in a slide show where many of her Scottish
influences became apparent as she discussed images of the countryside and
the various structures in the landscape.
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Susan's approach to her art form is inspiring,
and she is a joy to be around. While a number of potters in the workshop are
not inclined to handbuild sculptural pieces, the commitment she has for her
creative process inspired many of us in our own work.
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Check out Susan's
website www.susandelatour.com
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Updated - October 29, 2008
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