Monday, January 10, 2011

First day of a new Endeavor


Wheel Thrown lidded Jar  22" X 12"
The "Pic" in Pic Works, comes from a brain storming session with my wife and and old friend many years ago, Stands for Personalized Images in Clay.
I have always tried to make pottery to fit the user, and much of my work is functional. Often the interpretation of functional is my own with respect to the shape and placement of handles, design of lids, and accessories to the pottery.  I do throw some larger jars that become super functional, and make a few pots that are combined forms that are more sculptural in many respects than functional.







Slab and wheel thrown 8" X 30"
I started teaching in the Altoona Area High School after college and getting married in 1973. I was responsible for the Ceramics classes for 34 of those years. I retired in 2009 as the time had come, and after handing in my papers one month before retirement found that I had type 2 diabetes. Most of my focus for the last year or so has been on getting healthier. I have remained off of medication, and hope to continue to do so. However, my wife and I have traveled some, and hope to do much more. Our latest trips were to Italy, and Hawaii.




I work in a small unheated studio, a brick single car garage. Obviously, I will be more productive in the warmer seasons than in the Winter, as Pennsylvania does get pretty cold then. When working for the school district, I raised extra money for the school studio by teaching adults on Saturdays in the school.  This year, I am going to take the class myself to give me some time to work in the Winter on some orders I have to complete before the Spring.

3 comments:

  1. Let me be the first Preston, good luck on your new endeavor. Time to insulate the garage!

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  2. Pres, You know what we are waiting to see....the lamp wired with light shining through. All kidding aside, this all looks great and I know you will enjoying posting and receiving comments. Post on.

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  3. Oh my goodness, Betaquartz, your work is outstanding and SO creative! I love each piece.
    Thanks for sharing the stories behind these lovely pieces of art! Your schoolchildren must have been very lucky to have you for a teacher.
    I can't even imagine what they created to give their parents. You put a lot of time and effort into each piece of pottery! Where do you put your signature on these?

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