Laura and Bruce Nyeste

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In our studio Mud, Sweat and Tears, we go through about [2 tons of clay a year. The studio is a very efficient work area with lots of drying space and table areas, For the last 18 years, we have had a con- tract to make honey pots. We start in January and work till we are finished, This year we made S000; ittook 8 weeks, Bruce throws pots and | make lids; it is a joint effort. As you can imagine, after 18 years, we have the process down to a science.

The rest of the year we work separately, Broce in fis small corner and [ in mine. At his end of the studio, Bruce works with high fire stoneware. He is a very disci- Plined and organized worker. He keeps detailed lists of what he produces every day and makes weekly even monthly com- parisons,

Inthe beginning | fell in love with pots, but Bruce fellin love with the process, and this shows in the knowledge he has gained, and the technical standard he has reached. Bruce uses simple glazes to enhance his forms, allowing the forms to speak for themselves. The strong clean lines of his casseroles, pitchers and bowls are clearly recognisable as his work. He uses a 40) cubie foot gas fired kiln to fire his work. It isakiln he designed himself, but had made by Clay Art Centre. As an extra challenge Bruce likes to play with crystalline glazes, and he has had some suceess, again the process fascinates him.

At the other end of the studio [ use a slat roller and drape moulds to make square Plates, bowls and platters in porcelain. I also make extroded teapots and decorate bowls Bruce makes for me, but it is the finished pot that fascinates me more than the making. When I am looking for a challenge, I like to china paint on my

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platters, fring each piece upto seven times. I am fortunate that Bruce takes care of most of my firing and often makes my glazes. | could mix them up, but he devel- ops them,

In order to remain stimulated, we attend as many workshops as we possibly can, and when we travel, we visit other potters at their studics.

Living in Sorrento we are half way be- tween two active potters’ groups, in Kamloops the Thompson Valley Potters’ Guild and in Kelowna the Okanagan Pot- ters’ Association. Both of these groups are valuable resources for both of us. We also value the friends we have made through the Potters Guild of British Columbia.

Tknow this sounds like work, work, work but we actually only make pots for about 8 months of the year. We always take a few wecks off when we have finished honey pots. During July and August we do a few shows, and try to camp as much as possi- ble. Bruce also has a passion for fly fish- ing, and then we take most of December off to recuperate from the Christmas Craft sexson and to get ready for the year ahead,

By going off to work in the morning, breaking for lunch, and quitting at supper, sort of like areal job, we have been able to gel into a routine that has enabled us to es- tablish a successful pottery.

Laura Nyeste with Bruce Nyeste

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newshetter

Steven Hill June 22 and 23 9:30AM-4:00PM Delta Potters Association, §, Delta Rec Centre, 1736-56 Strect. Tsawwassen,

In this two day workshop Steven Hill throws and al- ters pots, demonstrates slip iruiling, and uses the ex- tnider, all the while com- municating his enthusiasm for functional stoneware and single firing. Form is considered the most important single aspect of his pouery, paying par- ticular attention to rims, feet, lids, spouts and handles, Discussions cover philoso- phy, design, technique and the business of making a living. $110 Sharon Grove 604,948. 4883 <sharon@decnet.com>

Workshop in Greek Islands Greek Island of Skopelos August 1-14

Two instructors covering throwing. hand building, glazing, colouring of ceramics and sculpture items; bisque firing; loading kilns; firing in a Greek traditional wood kiln; building and firing non-traditional kilns; figurative sculpture and modeling techniques including hollowing and bass relief, $1,900 includes room, breakfasts, 2 dinners. Studio facility at the Skopelos Foundation for the Arts overlooking the Aegean Sea, beautiful beaches, olive groves, hospitality of the Greek people and great cuisine, Website: www Skopart.org or<info@ Skopart.org>

ClaySpace on Puget Sound 2002 Workshop Schedule John Carver Alfering & Decorating Thrown Pottery June 15-16, $120

Eugene Daub Portrait & Figure Sculp- ture Workshop June 24-28, 3480

Chris Riccardo Portrait and Figure Sculpture Workshop July 15-19 and July 22-26, $300

Arthur Gonzalez Clay Monoprinting/ideas in Figuration Aug 17-18, $130,

Lana Wilson

Innovative Hondbuilding Techniques Sept 15-16, $150. <mtimes@telebyte.net>. Registration; Brenda Beeley PO BOX 1339, Suquamish, WA 98392-1329, tel: 360.598.3688.

May 2002