Camp Solomon Schechter

Great children's camp in Olympia, WA.  The counselors and children both took turns on Shimpo Aspires.  I gave demos on my Shimpo RK Whisper.  It was nice to throw right next to the lake.  The children had a blast.  It was great to see so many enthusiastic faces.  I think at least 50 children had a chance to try the potters wheel.  I definitely had some fans.  The children were very creative and one counselor wrote my name in hebrew on a plate!  Cool!

Old Gnome

Made this guy along time ago. .. I'm going to spruce him up. He is ten years old after all and winters can be hard on ceramics. Good ole mother nature.

Mugs

I like to make mugs.  They are for people to use every day.  I am happy to teach how to make mugs, and learn others techniques.  We can reinvent the wheel.  We can create something mundane, and make it fantastic.  Dragons are mythical beasts that hoard treasure, eat cattle, and entice Dwarves and Hobbits.

Cone 6 Stoneware Gas Fired.  Utilizing 3 Glazes, 3 Clay Bodies, and Dragon Decals imported from Japan.

Dragon Decal imported from Japan.  Amber Green Glaze 

"Doc Holiday"

I love this one four point star thumb rest.  Reminds me of a population graph. 

Dragon Mug front

Hokusai inspires my work

Dragon Mug back

New Studio 2111 F St.

Studio is ready.

Wizard and Tanner

Mortimer the Owl

We had a frog named Herkimer in the studio at Grandmas.  This is Mortimer.  He is a little more PC than Herkimer. I like owls. I like deer too. But I also like owls.

Pottery for Sale

Please come check out the Sustainable Farm and Garden Store in Lynden, New Store Opens!

They have allowed me to place some pottery for sale.  Go see the Chickies too.

Sustainable Farm and Garden Store

John and Leah York opened Sustainable Living Farm & Garden on Monday, Feb. 17, at 6931 Hannegan Road, in the former Hannegan Farm & Home building.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/03/02/3503307/new-hannegan-farm-and-garden-store.html#storylink=cpy

They have graciously allowed me to form classes for Spring and Summer in their new beautiful countryside farm and garden store.  They have really great choices for feed, with a focus on live chickens.  I met a guy who was buying food for his pot belly pigs that were companion animals.  What a great place.  Live animals and plants, with conscientious intentions regarding food choice.  Cheese Making Classes.  Fermentation Classes.  I am sure Cooking and Garden classes.  It seems like a really great place.  I have some pottery there for sale, and please stop by and get some seeds, starts, and compost for your garden.

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/03/02/3503307/new-hannegan-farm-and-garden-store.html

Visit to Super Natural Farm on Lopez Island

I went to go see an old Alum on Lopez Island.  He has cows, pigs, and chickens.  They are beautiful.  I love the energy and love in the atmosphere.  There is a way of life on the island.  I can't quite explain.  Something about conscientious living.  No wonder Japanese culture developed the way it did.  Living on an Island, one must be aware of the interactions with others with a compassionate heart.  I found a pottery that does soda firing.  I will also be able to explore Ferric Chloride on Copper Matte.  I am excited to find this.  I feel like my path is bright.  I am thankful for life, friends, and pottery.  The Chicken and pork my friend raised tasted like love.  The Symbiotic nature of his farming, his marriage, and his life made me realize that with struggle comes the greatest rewards.  Back in town, today I went to apply for a job at a paint a plate.  I think this would be awesome, until I can get a location for the clay academy.

Artist Statement

I am on a spiritual journey in clay. I have been traveling for over 125 days across the West Coast of the United States. From the land of Cascadia, into Jefferson, and down the Mendocino Coast, I am exploring, charting, searching for clay studios, for clay communities. Each place I develop customs and traditions. Each place imprints its geography, and I find inspiration in the members of each studio I visit. Through service I find satisfaction. Teaching, learning, sharing, volunteering. I love clay. People ask me to stay. But I must keep moving on. I will return someday, and share what I have learned. Perhaps we will meet again on this journey. My arms are open wide.

Unglazed Pots

Osiris and worked together to make a coil/pinch sun bowl.

The mugs on plates are for the Wake n' Bakery in Glacier, WA.  I am developing prototypes for a final production piece that will incorporate signature elements, like the Logo, Name of the Company, and Location.  I will also personalize some features like the thumb rest in the shape of a Breadloaf, and a raised Mount Baker utilizing erosion techniques to remove the clay mountain protected with a barrier of wax.

The plates and small cappuchin mugs are for glaze testing, for me to become reaquainted with my style which is heavily influenced by Pacific Northwest Craftsmen, as I am one.  I also like Jackson Pollock.  So I will be making a mini glaze booth once I get a space.  Cardboard, Plastic, Tape, and Scissor.

Curriculum Vitae

Blake Kenneth Miner

Education

B.A. The Evergreen State College Class of 2006

A.A. Skagit Valley College Class of 2003

Studios Friends and Shows

Clay Buddy

Peter Steinhardt

Lockhart TX

2021-2022

Teacher Member

Sunin Pottery

San Antonio TX 

Summer 2020

Member 

Eye of the Dog

Woodfield Workshop 

Winter 2019

Vendor

Barter Faire 

Tonasket, WA 

Fall 2018

The Red Barn

Lopez Island,WA 

Late Summer Early Fall 2018

Traveling Potter

California Arizona New Mexico Winter, Spring, Early Summer 2018

Visited AMOCA, IMCO, Mendocino Arts Center, Quyle Kilns, The Bearded Potter, Studio 51, Moab Art Center, Not Made in China, Baca St. Pottery, Paseo Pottery

Vendor
Winter Wonderland Show
Ocean Shores, WA
Fall 2017


Mark Campbell Ceramics
Clay Buddy 
Arcata, CA
Bistro on the Bay Show- Eureka, CA
Fall 2017

Volunteer Member
Chico Ceramic Center
Angie Harris

Chico, CA
Fall 2017

Volunteer Member
Cindercone Clay Center
Chad Fox
Bend, OR
Summer 2017

Volunteer Member

Ogre-Holmes Pottery
Jo and Merril Moore 
Carson City, NV
Summer 2017


Audrey Long Ceramics
Clay Buddy
Astoria, OR
Summer 2017

Vendor
Tokeland Woodfest and Art Show
Tokeland, WA
Summer 2017


Volunteer Member
Only Tuesdays
Larry and Mary
Tokeland,WA
Great secret studio, like fight club.
I broke the first rule... my bad
Summer 2017

Member/Consultant

South Beach Arts Association Clay Center
Westport, WA
Tanya Lana

Proposed including firing to cone 6 for members. Underglazed a 280 tile mural inspired by
Hokusai's Great Wave of Kanagawa,
the local geography, flora, and fauna.
Summer 2017
 
Community Education

Whatcom Community College 

Ene and Eugene Lewis

Exploration of Earthenware on the potters wheel

Bellingham, Wa
Summer 2010, 2016

Apprentice

Michael McDowell Pottery 

Michael McDowell

Mount Saint Helens Ash Pottery 

Summer 08

Production Potter 
Mud in you Eye Pottery 

Levi Vincent
Bellingham, Wa
Summer and Fall 2007

Volunteer Member/Raku Teacher

The Clayzone 

David D'Urso
Olympia, Wa 

Fall 2005 Winter Spring Fall 2006

Apprentice

MCM Ceramics
Michael McCullough
Seattle, Wa

Fall 05 and Winter 06

Apprentice

Swimming Deer Pottery
Sequoia Miller
Olympia, Wa

Spring and Summer 04

Undergraduate Studies
The Evergreen State College
Mike Moran, Susan Aurand, 
Hyung Mo Chu, Kensuke Yamada
Olympia, Wa
2004-2006

Undergraduate Studies
Skagit Valley College
Chris Theiss
Mount Vernon, WA

Fall 1999, Spring 2002

High School Studies
Mz. Marshe

West Anchorage High School
Anchorage AK

Ceramics 1995-1996