Glazing and Gardening

Finally, a decent day to be outside. I glazed 4 jugs and started firing them. I swear it takes as long to glaze 4 face jugs as it used to take glazing 50 regular pots.

We dug the weeds out of the soon-to-be herb garden and turned the soil. We are moving the herbs out of the fenced garden and closer to the kitchen. it will free up space for vegetables that need protection from the critters. They don't bother the herbs. While Cathy transplanted bulbs and Day Lillies I moved some Strawberry plants and thinned the bed a bit. Weather has slowed us up in early planting. I think we will finally get the potatoes, onions and snow peas in the garden soon.

The Bad Seed. A Face Jug In Progress.

Last month I was planting seed in pots to raise seedlings to set out in the garden when spring arrives. I came across this strange looking seed. It was larger than the others and a sickly shade of green. It had little spikes and an unpleasant odor. Foolishly, I let my curiosity overrule caution and I planted the seed. I fear I may regret that decision. We all may regret it SOON!

What A Hoot

We spotted this chainsaw sculpture in progress behind Fischers market in Muenster, Tx. I thought it was interesting that the subject was all owls. They had been recently roughed in and seem to be awaiting detailing. The planes of the faces and proportions
of the bodies are right on. Good work! I'll have to find out who is responsible when we stock up on provisions again.

The Windy Wind Wizard Wizin' Up Some Wind

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The Wind Wizard for sale on ebay

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The Windy Wind Wizard Wizin' Up Some Wind For The Wind Farm North of Muenster Texas.

Drunk Monkey With An Empty Jug

I spotted this pathetic sight at an Antique Mall in Muenster, Texas. This poor old red-headed monkey has fallen on hard times. He is untidy and unkempt and obviously under the influence of ‘ol demon alcohol. He sits in a stupor clinging to the empty jug that recently provided a bit of solace from his pain. There’s nothing sadder than the sight of a drunk monkey with an empty jug.

Shopping Day Muenster Texas

Our favoriite place to shop is Fischers Market in Muenster Texas. It's a great German market with fantastic sausages, sauerkraut, imported beers and wines and a wonderful meat market.
They have their own feedlot and buy local beef and pork. They slaughter, butcher and process. Prices are comparable to the "chain" supermarkets but the quality is much better. I love their Goat summer sausage and smoked cheeses.


We cross the Red River near Illinois bend. This is just a few miles from where the Chisolm Trail crosses the red. It's also near where I dig some native clays to use for my pottery.
The music is from the 1948 movie "Red River"

Improv Sculpting

Here is one way I come up with new ideas for pottery and sculpture. I use a "junkyard" approach to assembling parts leftover from other projects to create new unique pieces.

Throwing A Jug In Real Time.

Yesterday I posted a two part video of me throwing a face jug. It took so long because I stopped to explain each part of the process. The jug was less than optimal because it's always harder to offer analysis as you go along than just do it like you always have. So here it is without much comment in real time.

Throwing a Jug

Throwing a Jug. This is a 2 part video of me throwing a jug on the potters wheel (with commentary). This is a test run for my new video camera. The camera works great (just wish I worked as well)

PART 1


PART 2

Junk Sculptor at work

This is an artists profile of my work that appeared on the statewide PBS affiliate a couple of years ago. It shows how I work and how I approach sculpting. I don't weld much anymore because I did serious damage to my lungs by not taking proper precautions while welding.
Check my welded sculpture site, Funksculp.

Some Old Junk Sculpture

Here is a slideshow showing some of the recycled sculpture I have created in the past few years. I don't do as much welding as I used to, due to health concerns. I hope do do a few pieces this spring combining clay and steel.
Check my welded sculpture site, Funksculp.

Wizin' In The Wind

What do Wizards do? Well, judging by the name one would assume that they "Wiz" They really shouldn't Wiz in the wind though. The spell could blow back on them and turn their pants into soggy toads.

Snowklahoma

It has been snowing all day. This is the third snowstorm of the season. This is very rare for this part of Oklahoma. We usually have one small snow storm and sometimes don't have snow at all. Today's snow measured about 5-7". Luckily my shop is only 8 feet from the house.

In The Beginning

I guess I've always been an Artist. I remember being two years old playing beside the creek on our old farm. I would make mud balls and stick branches in them for arms and legs. I would make entire communities of "Mud People". I didn't turn pro until age 8. I sold a drawing of a horse to a classmate for a nickel so he could use it to impress a girl.

I've been a professional potter and sculptor for over 39 years. I apprenticed at "Mud in Your Eye" Pottery" in Los Gatos Calif. for several years before founding my own, "Big Muddy River Pottery" in 1971.

My survival as an apprentice potter dictated that I make face mugs and sculptural pots almost from the start. There were several other apprentices and it was our job to stock the gallery with our work. We were paid for the pieces that sold each month. If one made a pot that was a good seller the others soon copied the success. I found that the others were just not willing to spend the time to copy sculpted work.

I had found my niche!

I have enjoyed giving personality to raw mud for all these years.

I have decided to revive Big Muddy River Pottery,
for one more "Farewell Tour". Since we now live on the Red River, we'll call it, "Wild Mud On The Red". I may continue for one year, two years, or I may retire at any time.

Thanks for your patronage and support through the years.