Operating the Raku kiln is much like making barbeque. There's a lot of fire and the cooking time varies.
The Artist's Life
Patrick Bates
How I got here was accidental, overall. It started with a sports injury which slowed me down. I had the time to spend with my family's wheel and clay, and found throwing mud a pretty good way to pass the time.
Then I discovered fire. A neighbor heard about horsehair pottery and wondered if I could do something with his horse's hair. I could. I did, and the rest of equestrian community lined up to give me practice.
The rest is history. Although I do work with traditional glazes, my favorite work comes from the Raku kiln. The formal forms I throw wear color in unexpected ways after the process. No two pieces are alike, no matter how similar their preparation.
There are many steps involved, each which influences the final artwork; at each stage the piece can change and become something different. My task as an artist is to predict, as best I can, what might happen to the form I throw and glaze as it moves through the process.
My Work
While my work varies in size and complexion, it is unified by an underlying attention to precision in execution. Each piece marries the craftsman's skill at the wheel and knowledge of the craft with the essential spontaneity of art.
Community
The potters of Florida's nature coast are forming a community of mutual support where we can learn from, and inspire each other. Both working and amateur artist are excellent company. Recently, I have become involved in collaborations that have become very important to me and my art.
The Nature Coast is home to a community of potters who learn from each other and come together to host charitable events or just spend time. It has been a privilege to come home to this community.
Dirty Dog Pottery Studio
Marley is one of the friendly cannine residents, and namesake, for Dirty Dog Studio.
I've brought the tools of my trade to the Dirty Dog Studio outside of Brooksville where several clay artists share tools and techniques. This unique space, owned and operated by the resident artist and mud-slinger, Hil-Dee, provides ample room for exploration and production work. Hil-Dee also offers instruction and studio time for independent artists (see www.dirtydogpottery.com).
Nature Coast Potters
The Nature Coast Potters in an emerging affiliation of those living and creating from Pasco up to the Big Bend of Florida. The first "official" get together was held at the Dirty Dog Studio in December 2010. Several potters from the area participated in this inaugural event and showed off their recent work. In April, the potters will host "Pots for Tots," an all day event of demonstrations where procedes of sales of ice cream bowls will benefit special needs foster children in our area.
In late 2010, the Nature Coast Potters invited the community to Dirty Dog Studio for a Raku exhibition and show of their work. (My work is on the first set of shelves in this image!)