Nick Mason
My blogs
| Industry | Arts |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Potter |
| Location | Mt. Vernon, Indiana, United States |
| Introduction | FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, I HAVE CHOSEN TO EXPLORE THE IDEAS OF THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION AND STUDIO POTTERS. I ADMIRE THE APPALACHIAN WOOD AND COAL FIRING POTTERS THAT WORKED TIRELESSLY WITH KICK WHEELS AND HAND DUG CLAY. I AM ALSO INSPIRED BY THE FIRST TRUE ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONIST CERAMIC ARTISTS OF THE 50’S AND 60’S. WHETHER THEY WERE TRANSFORMING LAWNMOWERS INTO POTTER’S WHEELS OR TOASTERS INTO KILNS, THESE ARTISTS PUSHED CLAY TO NEW HEIGHTS AND HELPED COMMERCIALIZE THE EQUIPMENT WE USE TODAY. IN THIS SPIRIT, I HAVE CHOSEN TO FIRE MY WORK WITH SECOND HAND FUELS. MOST POTTERS TODAY USE PROPANE OR NATURAL GAS KILNS FOR THEIR HIGH-FIRE CERAMICS. MY KILN IS FUELED BY DEADFALL TREES, OLD PALLETS, AND USED VEGETABLE OIL. THE OIL COMES FROM A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND IT IS INTRODUCED INTO THE KILN’S ATMOSPHERE THROUGH A HOMEMADE BURNER. THE KILN IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF HEATING THE WORK PAST 2400 DEGREES. AT THAT TEMPERATURE, THE CLAY IS FULLY VITRIFIED AND THE OIL IS COMPLETELY BURNT WITH VERY LOW EMISSIONS. THIS IS A RATHER MESSY ENDEAVOR, BUT IT IS VERY REWARDING. THE TECHNIQUE YIELDS INTERESTING RESULTS AND A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE FROM “THE MAN”. |