Its a Firing Party

     After throwing plates nonstop for the past month or so, the time to fire has finally arrived.  Firing is my favorite aspect of the ceramics process, and I am very excited to get back to firing the wood kiln. So much so that I don't mind losing what little social life I have in order to fire eight wood kilns in the next two months. Seven of the wood kilns will be fired here at the University of Louisville and one will be fired down in Bardstown, KY, with my friend Matt Gaddie. Although I have not decided exactly how I will break up the firing styles, I do know I will fire multiple kilns traditionally while reduction cooling a couple as well.

     I had a major "Leave it to Beaver" moment a few days ago...aka a story for you to laugh at my expense. Having focused the entirety of my time on getting all the plates thrown, I completely forgot about throwing the cups that will be fired on top of the plates. With the firing a week away, I hunkered down and pushed out a few boards worth of cups

     As I get ready to load the first of the plate filled wood kilns, I find myself anxious about how the whole endeavor will go. There is nothing worse than opening a kiln, only to find out that everything did not go as planned. However, I have fired dozens of great wood kilns in the past, and I am trying to keep a positive state of mind.

The perfect firing meal

         Throughout this past summer, Ali and I had the opportunity to become locals at the Douglass Loop Farmers Market. Contrary to popular belief, the farmers market is much cheaper than the grocery (for me at least) and I have developed a relationship with a few vendors that I go back to see every week. My favorite farmers market find has to be Lexington Pasta...based out of Lexington, KY, of course. I would highly advise all my pasta loving friends to stop by any of the local markets and check out their booth. Whether its three cheese ravioli with spinach, four cheese ravioli, or one of their many noodle varieties, I can't get enough. 

     I hate to say it, but todays picture of the day won't be too random. I fired the soda kiln this past weekend (and will fire it again while I'm firing the wood kiln this sunday) and had some spectacular pieces come out. Here are some quick photos I snapped! 

Some of my favorite bowls

Woo Plates!! 

 Just kidding...heres a random one!

This is possibly one of my favorite pictures of all time. A buddy of mine and I were wandering around after a rainstorm and stumbled upon a piece by a local artist with a rainbow just overhead. Timing is everything.