I'm delighted that there are still potters in the world who are devoted to wood-fire, even fiercely so. Nic is a wonderful artist, an amazing potter, and the world of pottery is better because of him. Personally, I appreciate good pottery--functional art--whether it is wood, gas, or electric fired, but I do find myself studying and appreciating wood-fired pottery the most, followed by gas-fire heavy reduction; not better, necessarily, but those techniques just speak to my soul a bit more than electric.
Here is a short movie with Shiro Tsujimura (in English), the potter mentioned by Nic Collins as having been influential on him. Takeshi Art Beat 2013 01 03 11 30 Shiro Tsujimura
A good pot is a good pot. It can be all concept and intellect if executed well. I fully appreciate these particular, absolutely gorgeous, pots, but find that there is often some sort of implied morality associated with "traditional" potters v more " experimental" or "modern" potters or, potters who use electric kilns. This always appears rather defensive to me, as if a wood-firing potter has to justify their methods. ... I wish they wouldn't because it personally makes me sad. To reiterate, I love this potter and am not wishing to criticise him at all.
for me it is all about efficiency .otherwise I burn too many trees . many days burning an anagama kiln is a small wood lost to mother nature . 7 hours burning pallets is much kinder to the mother that provides your clay and glaze also . mother nature is the most efficient of all systems , so to follow her is just logical .
I agree. Not everybody can afford what he's doing. I like the result but not every potter can do that and not all gas or electric fired pots are boring. Of course there's something very raw about wood firing and the ash glaze. As far as I know traditional raku pots are fired rather quickly. There's a video about a raku pottery in Kyoto. I'm stuck with a self made gas kiln. I'm glad it's kinda efficient with these energy prices. We have to make the best of what we have. And I also like the idea of pots being used in people's homes and not staying in galleries. Most of the pots shown by goldmark are way beyond what anyone except a wealthy collector would buy.
I love this film, I'm just confused by his take that wood fired is best. It's impossible for me to do a wood firing where I'm at cause I don't have the space or money, so I take classes and use the electric kiln provided. I pour my soul into my art, and I believe my pottery comes out the way it does because I am dedicated to my art and mindful of my actions and what I am doing. I believe that "soul" is imparted into something when someone truly cares about what they're doing, not that they used more unique or traditional techniques. While I value his artistic vision and expertise, I don't believe the idea that his pottery is simply better due to the technique he uses.
If another technique or artwork isn't the same as yours, avoid the arrogance - DON'T describe it as "boring." Boredom is the ball-and-chain of the unimaginative.
I’m in love with these gold mark films of all my favorite potters. Thank you so much for doing these.
They are killer amazing!
I honestly Appreciate his sacrifice and compassion for his own work.......a true Ceramic Hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm delighted that there are still potters in the world who are devoted to wood-fire, even fiercely so. Nic is a wonderful artist, an amazing potter, and the world of pottery is better because of him. Personally, I appreciate good pottery--functional art--whether it is wood, gas, or electric fired, but I do find myself studying and appreciating wood-fired pottery the most, followed by gas-fire heavy reduction; not better, necessarily, but those techniques just speak to my soul a bit more than electric.
just visited the exhibition exceptional pots by an exceptionally nice man. what a gem of an exhibition.
amazing! thank you all.
This was a truly wonderful film. I wasn't expecting to learn so much about life when I started watching it. Thank you so much for sharing.
what a delightful video. Nic managed to encapsulate all the reasons why we fire with wood
Excellent video, inspirational and captures all the essence of Nic and his passion.
Superb film. Love his philosophy of the beauty of imperfection. Thank you.
beautiful film !
GG doco’s are sheer ceramic addiction...brilliant
Such a beautiful video, thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
So glad I found your channel!
Perfection is in the eyes of the beholder
perfection is the enemy of done .
Love this. Made a salt kiln in the past. The learning curve was a wonderful experience
Every potter has their own story , their own vision . Very enlightening ! 🌻🎨🌻 elemental....
loved this so much, thanks
You're so welcome!
Honest...Thanks very much for the perspective.
Enjoyed very very much
Here is a short movie with Shiro Tsujimura (in English), the potter mentioned by Nic Collins as having been influential on him.
Takeshi Art Beat 2013 01 03 11 30 Shiro Tsujimura
Gábor Gerőfi thank you
Gábor Gerőfi great works
Great video! I really enjoyed watching and seeing how wood-firing works! Amazing process!
so incredibly inspiring. thank you. i wish i could pick up so many of the pots you showed in the film.
well done
For quite some time I harbored the thought that the kiln would be so mundanely the heart or soul of the work, but it is truly the womb
Thank you for sharing. Just what I needed right now. Love it!
Controlled chaos yields beautiful results
Great video can't wait to get started in this it's like life like a box of chocolate!
Using seashells to keep your pots from sticking? Brilliant!
It works a treat!
Wonderful works!! It´s art to me :)
GREAT :)
That which makes you different, makes you beautiful
I really need a Nic Collins pot
Agreed!
Good stuff Nic. Inspiring work. I drink from one of your mugs!
awesome story, thx :-)
A good pot is a good pot. It can be all concept and intellect if executed well. I fully appreciate these particular, absolutely gorgeous, pots, but find that there is often some sort of implied morality associated with "traditional" potters v more " experimental" or "modern" potters or, potters who use electric kilns. This always appears rather defensive to me, as if a wood-firing potter has to justify their methods. ... I wish they wouldn't because it personally makes me sad. To reiterate, I love this potter and am not wishing to criticise him at all.
does anyone know if his throwing is all kickwheel?
staring into fire is just how the sun works
No other way to check on it.
Nyc sir
hi what,s your clay body?
for me it is all about efficiency .otherwise I burn too many trees . many days burning an anagama kiln is a small wood lost to mother nature . 7 hours burning pallets is much kinder to the mother that provides your clay and glaze also . mother nature is the most efficient of all systems , so to follow her is just logical .
I agree. Not everybody can afford what he's doing. I like the result but not every potter can do that and not all gas or electric fired pots are boring. Of course there's something very raw about wood firing and the ash glaze. As far as I know traditional raku pots are fired rather quickly. There's a video about a raku pottery in Kyoto. I'm stuck with a self made gas kiln. I'm glad it's kinda efficient with these energy prices. We have to make the best of what we have. And I also like the idea of pots being used in people's homes and not staying in galleries. Most of the pots shown by goldmark are way beyond what anyone except a wealthy collector would buy.
I love this film, I'm just confused by his take that wood fired is best. It's impossible for me to do a wood firing where I'm at cause I don't have the space or money, so I take classes and use the electric kiln provided. I pour my soul into my art, and I believe my pottery comes out the way it does because I am dedicated to my art and mindful of my actions and what I am doing. I believe that "soul" is imparted into something when someone truly cares about what they're doing, not that they used more unique or traditional techniques. While I value his artistic vision and expertise, I don't believe the idea that his pottery is simply better due to the technique he uses.
If another technique or artwork isn't the same as yours, avoid the arrogance - DON'T describe it as "boring." Boredom is the ball-and-chain of the unimaginative.