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LeeU

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About LeeU

  • Birthday 07/14/1947

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  • Website URL
    https://www.leeuceramics.com/

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  • Location
    New Hampshire
  • Interests
    Now retired from 30+ years in behavioral health services, I am back to enjoying and making art. I hold a BFA in ceramics from VCU's School of the Arts (Virginia Commonwealth University). I have set up a small, functional, in-home studio, with an L&L Easy-Fire on the back porch. In addition to clay, I'm interested in painting, photography, and writing.

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  1. I am here to support the always interesting, always informative, always fun QotW and it's master Host. As for surprizes in my clay---never, nada, nothin'. Just here for support.
  2. No--nope--not chance--not worth it. Taking such high risk with any kiln (and especially someone else's with other people's stuff it) is just plain looking for trouble.
  3. I didn't have my own tools, other than the barest of the absolute basics, when I was getting into ceramics. I was on welfare, a Pell grant for art school, raising a child by myself, and, well duh, never had any money. My favorite tools were a few gismos I made from 1/2 to an inch & a half-thick live branches from some southern tree-like magnolia or crepe myrtle. I was into texture & sculptural curves (still am) so I crafted them to multi-task & to make interesting surfaces. They served like a potter's thumb, a throwing stick, and other variations recognizable standard tools. Stopped claywork to go earn a living & packed them away in a lovely special box. But I lost them all in the shuffle, when I moved from VA to NH. Now I've got just about every tool one could ever want, tho no high-end metals or master-favored designs, and no Griffin grip, which I guess isn't really a tool anyway LOL . My favorites these days are still those unintended for ceramics--the turkey quill, the drawer knobs, the pastry cutter, the dental tools, chop sticks, etc. etc. And, yeah, the fingers!
  4. You are right oldlady-some did just crack off and I deliberatly left them as such (my "honoring the survivor" stylistic aesthetic, my artwork as related to trauma). I do smooth all edges, then I close my eyes and feel the piece all over to be sure nothing is sharp. Upon reflection, I guess the pieces would look better if I go ahead and made those areas more curved. I'll try it! Thanks-- to you & also to Bam2015
  5. In a recent QotW (2/15/24) about how often we fire our kilns, I disclosed some personal functional limitations that I'm coming to grips with, that significantly change how and what I do with clay. "The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky, so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray." This is the first greenware heading into this new phase. I'll come back post-fire with the results. My tag line is (still) "Sculpturally Functional Ceramics ". Most of the work is draped bowls/catchalls/small trays and tea light bases.
  6. My last fire was last August and when I read the QotW I thought I'd best skip this one. Well, I feel much better after reading Pres' comment about not firing since last September! I keep a log. Began in 2014 , when was doing 6, then 4, then 3; since 2020, averaging 2. Always low production w/ hardly any pressing deadlines, a too-big kiln, and self-permission to just go w/the flow of Lee-Life. I should have a kiln load ready by March. I've had to adapt "everything" involved w/the process to minor cognitive impairment (MCI), a result of minor TBI (traumatic brain injury). It is not--or so they say--progressive. So, theoretically, once I get the hang of what I really can & can't do, I should be good to go w/no surprises. My motivation & level of acceptance took a near fatal hit, but I'm beginning to enjoy exploring a new style. The next fire is my first post-diagnosis test run--will she sink or will she swim?? The main challenge is that construction is fairly rough & funky , but I don't want the pieces to look too rough & too funky, so I need to turn the heat up under the burner labeled "visually appealing", and pray.
  7. Holy cannoli-you have an amazing attitude-good for you! If you get tired, let yourself be tired, tho, don't push it--and best wishes going forward.
  8. I'm trying out a new ^6 white w/grog and am in the process of rehydrating 50 lbs, in batches. It was already hardened by the time I got it. It had taken 2 months for the company to get it to me in the first place, so I was already ticked when it came "half baked", so to speak. SInce they had refunded my payment I decided to just "let it go" and didn't bother to ask for a fresh replacement. I'll be using it to fill my kiln for an early spring fire. I got some new glazes I'm eager to try, so this will keep me busy for the next 2 months.
  9. When I returned to clay work after a lengthy career detour, I had a blast trying out a wide variety of commercial ^6-^10 bodies. I loved exploring the grays, browns, black, tan, whites, iron, grog, etc. (never reds-no can do-the staining makes me cringe). I lost access to wood firing when J. Baymore's anagama kiln went dark due to the closure of the Sharon Art Center & the pandemic, which kept me from using the NH Potters Guild kiln--so my woodfiring days are gone. For woodfiring ^10 I loved Troy's T437 porcelain-the way it shows flame color (pic). For ^6 loved Sheffield's T-3 Stoneware-a light buff, fine grog. My favorite at the moment is IMC's Dragon Fruit, a speckled light gray that looks a bit like granite (pic).
  10. "Climate Change" : Goldfinch, budding lilac tree, & post-snow/freezing rain iced branches 1/24/24, in NH. I do some photography.
  11. I have a hard time imagining that best sellers could be ranked based on (implied? perceived? known?) preference for certain surface decoration and/or colors. So many choices, so many makers, so many buyers, so many locations!! I'm now very interested to see what sellers here have to say! Also whether there is any insight as to whether location, time of year, sub-populations in the region, comments from buyers, other variables, etc. seems to influence what sells best.
  12. In the light blue field below the text comments field, see the paperclip bottom left--- you can click on the hyperlink for "choose files" to upload from your own files. If the size exceeds capacity, it will tell you & then just reduce it in any editing program. I use Paint (on a PC w/Windows) & set my pics at 600 pixels for the max measurement or reduce by a percentage.
  13. I will just emphasize what Callie said regarding protection for hair--essential!! And, gloves--very necessary-not flamable, obviously, and w/strong protection for handling wood, stone, metal other materials and items around a kiln site...you never know what you may run into.
  14. I use the printers blankets (free/low cost/different sizes from printers) that Old Lady turned us to, as well as (depending on project/purpose) slab mats. I use drywall for ware boards. I use a canvas covered large cement paver for some things. like cut & slam wedging.
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