continued from page 5... Generally people are disconnected from art, disconnected from nature. There is no value or respect for it in our culture, our culture is off-centre. We have lost the connection; we are disconnected from our source. I am trying to make a move toward a positive statement about the importance of the natural environment. We ate so far away from that, and it is the cause of so many of our problems. Artists have a responsibility to plant the seeds of positive change. LK: What are your favorite books, magazines or publications? CJ: At the moment I am a little preoccupied with house-making books because of our move. However you can never buy enough clay books; and I have never regretted buying a clay book. “Beauty” by John O’Donahue is a good book, (Cathi pointed to a pot she had made and a quote from the book that she had added to the pot). Andy Goldsworthy’s “Collaboration with Nature” and the DVD “Rivers and Tides” is brilliant and one that I often use at workshops. On site sculptural work, made from nature and returns to nature. His stuff just is! I can’t believe someone doing this spectacular work. LK: How do you create your patterns so easily? CJ: The terra sigilatta surface is like pamtmg with water colors. I bought an $8 brush because a friend said tt was an excellent brush but I didn’t use it for 6 years. When I started putting designs on my work, I needed that brush and it helped forms evolve. LK: What is important to your CJ: Traveling is important, it broadens your horizons, and you appreciate how other people do things. Travel helps you grow, helps you to learn about yourself. I am a workaholic, but I am not going to keep doing something unless I enjoy it. I was stressed out a short time ago, my blood pressure was out of control and I had to relax and slow down a little. www.greenbarn.com 9548 192 Street, Surrey, B.C, V4N 3R9 Phone: 604.888.3411 Fax: 604.888.4247 Tuesday-Friday 9-5 Saturday 9-1 Closed Long Weekends greenbarn@telus.net Ween Darn POTTERS SUPPLY LTD. 8 LK: What is your definition of success? CJ: Feeling good about the work I am doing, having the respect of my peers. LK: What are you uncomfortable about? CJ: Right now I am working outside the box; I am working on sculptural work. I am stepping off the cliff. It is a real challenge and the project is throwing me some curves, teaching me some difficult lessons. I have been working on this collection for two years. I recetved a Canada Council Grant to do the work and I have been to Banff and to Archie Bray, working on these pieces. | am moving along slowly, I am about half-way through the work. It is reflecting nature, reflecting spirit and the show 1s in September. Pieces are breaking, trying to create an image that 1s six- feet-tall. How do I make these pieces? The learning curve 1s huge, with lots of cracking, frustrations with the firings, things blowing up in the kiln. Maybe I am still stuck on the functional ware, food-friendly concept, thinking of sculptural work as functional work. Trudy Golley has helped with lots of direction. The clay choice has also been a key factor to the success so far. As the interview moved down to her studio, a young lady from next door arrived and Cathi moved easily into helping/guiding her through the process of finishing a clay box that she has been working on. After taking a few photos I took one last look around the studio that Cathi has called home for several years and left hoping that I had captured some of what makes Cathi, Cathi. Cathi has produced a DVD that details her salt-glazing process from decoration, preparing the salt, firing the kiln and finally taking the viewer through an explanation of how placement in the kiln dramatically affects the salt and flame effects. This DVD allows you to share some time with Cathi in her studio. You are also introduced to her two cats who just want to make sure they are noticed. This DVD is well-produced and provides insight into Cathi’s creative process; it is an excellent addition to any potter’s library. @ www.cathiyefferson.com Louis Kennett Work Ready for the Kiln