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Kiln firing 24 January 2023

I just opened the mini kiln, and welcomed 8 new cups to the world.
Some of the cups are decorated with an experimental woodcut transfer process.

This is a significant firing, because it is the FINAL FIRING for this season. I won’t be making any more pottery until Summer 2023.

swipe or use arrows to see all the pottery

  • handmade cup with woodcut underglaze transfers of goat
  • handmade cup with woodcut underglaze transfers of goat and sheep
  • handmade cup with woodcut underglaze transfers of goat and sheep
  • handmade cup with folk art style cardinal surface design
  • handmade cup with folk art style cardinal surface design
  • handmade stoneware cup with folk art surface design of a horse and country house
  • handmade stoneware cup with folk art pig and flowers surface design. there is a heart inbetween the two pigs
  • handmade cup with folk art style decoration of goats and plants

If you’d like to see them (and more) in person. They will be on display this friday (jan 27th) at the Pendleton Art Center – Cincinnati.

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2023-01-21 Kiln Opening

I had a small kiln firing last night (8 cups – 1 plate)

Here are the results!
Use the arrows or swipe to see them all

  • handmade stoneware oval plate with sheep dog chasing sheep surface design
  • handmade stoneware cup with bear taking photos of bunnies design
  • handmade stoneware cup depicting fox taking photos of sheep
  • handmade stoneware cup with bear having a tea party design
  • handmade stoneware cup with fox and hound surface design
  • handmade stoneware cup depicting chickens with yellow background
  • handmade stoneware cup with dog making pottery surface design
  • handmade stoneware cup with terrier and yellow cat surface design
  • handmade stoneware cup with goat woodcut surface design

It’s really hard to get an idea of what a 3d cup looks like from a photo. A video with a 360 view is a little bit better. Seeing them in person-and being able to pick them up and drink from them is still best.

For your reference, I sell cups for $45 and plates for $75. They are only available in person NO ONLINE SALES. You need to pick them up to ‘know’ if it’s the right pot for you. You can find them either on my front porch, or at my studio at the Pendleton Art Center on Final Fridays and by appointment.

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Friday Night Throwing pots

First time I’ve been in on the wheel for 2023. (yes, this is my idea of a wild and fun friday night)

I’ve been working removing pots from the wheel with my hands-instead of using bats. Still smooshing some of them, but getting better!

Will trim and add handles tomorrow. Hope you all have a great weekend!

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screen print clay transfer fail

photo of a screen print studio

The new year isn’t starting out the way I had hoped.

ceramic screen print underglaze transfers

Spent the day making screen print underglaze transfers based on two of my block prints, only for them to be a disappointment. Oh well, will try again another time.

screen print transfer on an unfired stoneware mug

Hope your year is going better than mine!

UPDATE:

Sorry for being a crybaby earlier when my project did not work on the first try. In my experience, neither pottery OR printmaking work perfectly on the first try. Not sure why I thought combining the two would be easy.

After a little more practice, The transfers are a little bit better. Will make more pots and try again later. Thanks again everyone for the encouragement!

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last kiln firing of 2022

I had a very small kiln firing to wrap up 2022.

2022 was a great year for pottery. I learned a lot and made a lot of pots. To end the year, I had a very small kiln firing. Here are the results!

click arrows or swipe to see all the photos

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More Test pots

After almost 3 years of working in porcelain, I’m exploring a new clay/glaze combination. It’s a dark red stoneware made here in Kentucky. I’m able to combine my love of clay, carving AND PAINTING for this new surface design.

Bear making pottery cup
bunny with flowers cup
peace goats with berries cup
cardinal cup
yellow cat cup
yellow cat cup
US Route 62 cup
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Test results are in!!!

I’ve been trying something new with clay, and going through some trial and error to get the clay/glaze combination to work right.

I finally have the chemistry working! Here are my latest test results:

Bird Cup 20oz
handmade stoneware cup with decorative rabbits flowers and a heart. made by kentucky artist ken swinson
rabbit cup 21oz
handmade stoneware cup decorated with two horses, flowers and a heart design
horse cup 24oz

they are all food/microwave safe. As always, they are not available online, you will have to visit my studio in person to add one to your collection!