Blog by Harlan House RCA
Why would someone who has been making pots for nearly 50 years still be making bowls? They are so basic, so simple, and so… well, useful. If you take those three reasons and add that they are truly fun to make, you have my answer. If you were to assume that the first three reasons are easy, you would be …
Don’t hire me to renovate your house. I built a shed attached to my studio 15 years ago, and am just finishing it now. The building is a wall away from my kiln, and I built the place in case I needed or wanted to build another kiln. As it turns out, my old kiln is just fine, and the …
Adding wine into the clay while it is aging is always a good idea. Of course any old vinegar would do just fine, but if you really want to be exotic, follow my example. We have some very good friends, and cooking for them is a privilege. All of them bring wine when they visit, and they spoil us with …
I work seven days a week in my studio from sometime in September right through to May. That is usually enough. Leaving the studio is a very good idea, because after a long stint I get a bit comfortable; a bit lazy and a bit …well, dull. If you value your career, and your dignity, leave. Just walk out and …
I have been asked frequently to explain how Morgan glaze works. Truth be known, I don’t know all that much, except that I like it. I am also asked why I can like a glaze like Morgan, and at the same time like a glaze like my HH celadon. The celadon is following in the traditional steps of Song Chinese …
I was asked a number of times over last weekend (the first weekend of our studio exhibition), why was I so interested in boats. Some of the people asking knew that I was a Canadian prairie dog, so even more questions about lack of water… My answer is pretty simple. I fell in love with the canoe as a teenager …
There are very few benefits to a long winter. For this potter, who gets spring fever easily, one benefit is getting lots of work done. I spent a whack of time working with one of my ship hulls, some Murano glass rods and new digital lights. I also strayed into the mystery land that is my Morgan glaze… I had …
This will be the 40th year we have sent you an invitation to our Lonsdale Studio Exhibition. How did this happen, and what have I been doing? Well, working. And in my spare time working. It has been a blast, and I am not done! Harlan House RCA Visit Harlan’s Facebook page.
I have been making ceramics for almost 50 years. I used to do a lot of weekend workshops all across Canada encouraging potters to use and enjoy porcelain. In almost every workshop I was asked to make one of these large platters, because the method is a little unique, and takes some practice to do it well. I have to …
We moved to Lonsdale, Ontario in 1973 from Calgary, Alberta. I found this little jewel of a village by accident, and have enjoyed it for over 40 years. Moving from a big city to a hamlet would be setback for many, but not for us. From day one, I felt really at home. An old village, and old home, and …
I have wanted to do this forever. Anyone that has thrown a cup or bowl off the hump, on a potter’s wheel knows the lovely mark of a piece of twisted thread that appears on the bottom of the piece as you cut it off.…it is process and beauty all at once. I tried to get this “mark” on the …
The main challenge still exists for a person who makes functional wares. That task is to make an object that not only functions well, that is, does its job, but is beautiful and meaningful when it is not being used. It is not easy. On many occasions I have had artists ask me if function ever got in the way …
I have been working for a few months towards a good firing, and now it is almost done. I finished loading the kiln and lit the burners on Friday the 13th. 13 is a good number for me. I was the 13th Saidye Bronfman Award winner, and that award meant a lot to me… peer award by peer jurors… that …
I’m working on a project that might make a difference to our kids and grandchildren. The lamp that I am building has a mirror in it, and when finished will support three iris shades. It, with four other iris pieces will make a collection that will be raffled off to raise money for science. We are trying to persuade the …
When I turned 16, my parents gave me 16 silver dollars and a good party with cake and friends. Both of my parents said that I should save the 16 silver dollars. I tried. The real highlight of turning 16 was when my girlfriend, Joanne Brooks, gave me a surprise of 16 kisses. I remember wanting to be 70. Fifty …
If you want to find out more about Blue Celadon glazes…including how to produce a thick, unctuous, wonderful juicy Jun glaze, please investigate the Blue Celadon technical page on my website. Harlan House RCA Visit Harlan’s Facebook page.
I thought you might be interested in this event. It is being held November 2nd and 3rd at thePinecroft Centre for the Arts at the old family studio of Jimmie and Selma Clennell. Pinecroft is just south of London about 2 hours from Toronto or Windsor. It is called ‘Making Dishes for Ourselves’, a weekend workshop by Harlan House RCA. …
I’ve added another technical page that discusses how I glaze my work. If you can believe it, I’ve been using an old Electrolux vacuum as long as I can remember. For those who are interested, check out the technical page on glazing. This Chinese sprayer is handmade on the streets of Jingdezhen and is commonly used for glazes that are …
We live on about half a hectare [a big acre], or half a city block, with about half of it in gardens. Lonsdale is a hamlet in Eastern Ontario on shallow soil and limestone. We have about the same number of dogs and cats as we have people…about thirty-five. Maureen loves flowers. She has a memory [that I envy] so …
For those students, teachers and potters who have an interest in what I have been doing for the last 45 years, I have added another technical page that provides information regarding my HH Celadon Glaze. Please have a look at the HH Celadon glaze technical page if you are interested in the evolution and formulae for this signature glaze. Harlan …