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POTTERS
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COLUMBIA
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On the Road in Oregon

By Melany Hallam

Ten always seems to bring opportunities to discover
interesting potters and new ways of making pots, no matter
where you may go. So it was when my partner, Derek, and I were
on a camping trip in Washington and Oregon states this past
September. We'd long ago decided to cut down on pottery buying
but, being on vacation, we relaxed the rules a little and am I glad
we did. It’s always surprising to me (and I know it shouldn't be)
the number of innovative ideas that potters come up with for
functional pieces. At an artists’ cooperative in Hood River, Ore.,
I found one series of pieces that made me laugh and so I bought
one: a face pot toothbrush holder by Steven Daniel. Derek's choice
was a beautiful bowl, red inside and a strong jade green on the
outside—a stunning contrast—by Jill Warila.

Here is some information about the pots and their makers, in

their own words.

Jill Warila, Cloud Cap Pottery

My studio is a busy space where I work on quiet forms with glazes
and a firing method that produce warm, earthy hues. I often create
work in a series of like forms, producing functional pots that favour
everyday use. Working with high-fire stoneware and porcelains allows
me to use the firing processes of wood or gas/soda to achieve the warm
earth tones and enhanced green hues that are prevalent in my work.
‘The majority of my work is done on a potter's wheel. My altered vases
and bakers are made with a combination of wheel thrown and slab work.

My firing schedule is a busy one. In addition to firing my 40-cubic-
foot hard brick soda kiln once or twice a month, I also fire a large
anagama (hill-climbing) kiln with a group of potters in Hockinson,
Wash. I seldom glaze more than the interior of the pot and I let flame
and ash caress the clay and lay where it will to create the designs.
After 70 hours of firing with only wood as fuel, the results can
be spectacular...or destined for the shard pile! Not only are the
surviving pots beautiful, but the community of potters spending a
week together, 24/7—eating, sleeping, and stoking the fire—can be a

very soulful experience.

-

Pear Bowl, 7.75" x 4.75", soda fired by Jill Warila, Mount Hood, Ore.

Steven Daniel, Dee Pottery

My interest in clay began in the early 1950s digging adobe in my
backyard. I was 12 years old when I was first introduced to a potter's
wheel. I attended the California College of Art and Crafts in the mid-
60s where I met Marguerite Wildenhain (1896-1983). Marguerite was
a French-born ceramic artist, author and teacher, and one of the first
students to enter the Bauhaus in Weimar, Germany, which is known
as the most influential art school of the twentieth century. She joined
Pond Farm Artists’ Colony (located 75 miles north of San Francisco)
in the late 40s. The colony disbanded in 1951, but for three decades
Marguerite continued to accept approximately 20 students per year.
My trip to Pond Farm was the beginning of a long friendship and
learning experience that turned into my lifelong pursuit. In the early
70s, I set up my own studio in Dee, Ore., and later moved to Hood
River. I work in a centuries-old European tradition. I mix all of my clay
by hand with my own formulas; using ball, fire and red clay, with the
addition of feldspar and local sand. I turn everything on a self-made
kick wheel. When the pottery is at the leather stage I put on coloured
slip decorations (my own formula). I then usually incise patterns into
the surface using a knife, then bisque, glaze and fire. In addition to
production vessels for everyday use, I make wall plaques and sculptural
(people) pots. In addition to my pots, my brush face (toothbrush

holders), French butter dishes, and teapots are very popular.

Brush face pot, 4.25" x 3.75", by
Steven Daniel, Hood River, Ore. It
looks like it’s made by creating a
closed form on the wheel and then
cutting out the holes around the
edges as well as a triangular hole in the back (the bottom of the
thrown pot) for hanging. It’s actually very stable hanging on the wall.

For more on these potters and other artists in the Hood River area, see
Made in the Gorge at www.madeinthegorge.com. As well, the Oregon
Potters Association is holding its annual Ceramic Showcase from May 4
to 6, 2012. Touted as the USA's largest show and sale of pottery, sculpture,
garden art, and other works in clay, it's definitely worth a visit if you're in
the area at that time. See www.ceramicshowcase.com.

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter : October 2041