Throwing it down and Firing it up... Fine Field Pottery

I had the opportunity recently to visit Gavin at Fine Field Pottery. His pottery business is tucked away in the back of K's Secret Garden on Main Street in Streator, IL. If you walk (or in my case park) around back you will find his shop's entrance. As much as I wanted to go through the Tardis door I am reporting to you now, that will not get you inside! Please use the door on the left.

I showed up early in the morning, quite unexpected, I may add. Gavin was a little surprised to see me so early as we had spoken about shooting in the afternoon. He told me he wasn't throwing until later that day. I thought to myself, "Throwing? Well I'm kind of glad you're not throwing anything!" At this point I think, I will just take some product shots and come back. Gavin would have none that. He must have seen the dumbstruck confused look in my eyes and went on to explain that you don't "turn", "shape", "form", or "sculpt" the clay. You throw the clay.

The clay is crudely "rolled" on a work bench then put on the wheel. It's pretty therapeutic work. I was memorized watching a lump of blah become a vase! Gavin makes stoneware pottery, which is safe for the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Stoneware pottery has more "grogg" in it. (Here is where I have to admit I lost a notecard) I believe the grogg refers to the sand content.

On a typical day, Gavin will make 50 or more pieces of pottery.

Ever wonder what some of those textures on a piece of pottery are? This one was made with a toy truck. Trick of the trade!

After the pottery has been "thrown" it is set aside to dry for 24 hours. At the end of the 24 hours it is trimmed and stamped and any other final touches done.

Each piece is hand-stamped by the artist himself. Isn't that logo just the cutest?

After all the final touches the piece is left to dry for 10 days depending on air conditions. Humidity and temperature play a huge role on how long it takes to dry. You have to wait for this. I asked what would happen if a piece wasn't completely dry when you put it in the kiln. "It's a mini volcano in that thing. It would explode" says Gavin. Now secretly, I kinda want to watch something explode. I kept that to myself, though.

After drying for 10 or so days, the piece is "Bisque Fired". Ahh yes, we get to the firing it up part!!! (I really like fire, can you tell?) So let's review this: Firing is basically cooking a piece of pottery at a very high temp for a very long time. It is done in a kiln. FYI: It is volcanic hot. The first fire, the bisque fire, is around 1,950 degrees Fahrenheit. The piece will fire for 12 hours and then take about another 12 hours to cool down enough to be taken out. This first firing turns the pottery a pretty pink color.

The next step would be to glaze the piece. That is what gives it the shiny appearance and designs. If a piece has a design on it, it is underglazed with that design before the bisque firing. The final firing or glazing is the last step for the piece. A "liquid clay" or glaze is put on, there were way too many ingredients in the glaze for me to remember them all. After applying the glaze the pieces go back into the kiln, this time at 2200 degrees farenheit! The kiln will once again take 12 hrs to fire and 12 hrs to cool.

In this photo we see a vase lined with a grid so Gavin could underglaze a design. The middle vase is after the bisque fire, and the vase on the right is after the final firing or glazing. I am truly amazed at the time and dedication it takes to make just one piece pottery!

Gavin likes to call his pottery "Functional Art". I absolutely have to agree. Each piece is one of kind, made with passion. Just walk into Fine Field Pottery's workshop and you will see rows upon rows of pottery pieces in various states of completion. Not only does Gavin make custom ordered pieces he also designs items for art shows, retail space, and even restaurants.

Anyone looking for a special and unique gift will have no problem finding just that at Fine Field Pottery I can see a bride receiving a piece of Fine Field Pottery on her wedding day and handing it down to her child on their wedding day. Display it, cook in it, or drink your coffee out of it, however

you choose to use your pottery you will not be disappointed! If you can't make it into Streator to buy a piece check out Fine Field Pottery's website or Etsy page.

I know I enjoyed drinking my coffee out of my new mug while finishing up this edition of "Spotlight on Streator". As always friends shop local, support small business, and thank you for reading, Kim Crawford Photography...

#streator #illinois #pottery #photograhy #smallbusiness #shoplocal