Asheville Made Magazine - February 3, 2021

Arranging An Art-Filled Home Is A Sweet Fit For Sculptor And Ikebana Practitioner

by Carolyn Comeau

“Steven Forbes-deSoule is a celebrated Raku sculptor — highly accomplished in the American form of the Japanese art, where the vessel is removed from the hot kiln and placed in combustible materials. His wife Lynn Powell Forbes, a retired Buncombe County Schools ESL specialist, is a master of the Japanese art of flower arrangement known as ikebana (she is president of the Asheville chapter of WNC Ikebana International).”

Read more: https://ashevillemade.com/arranging-an-art-filled-home-is-a-sweet-fit-for-sculptor-and-ikebana-practitioner/

Raku: Spontaneity in the Flames (January 22 - June 19, 2021)

Raku pottery incorporates elements of knowledge, experience, excitement, unpredictability, and spontaneity, and is somewhat akin to a semi-controlled convergence of science, craft, art, and magic with a bit of chaos thrown in for good measure. Come see a colorful variety of Western-style work by a number of North Carolina's Raku potters from across the state and learn more about the making of Raku.

North Carolina Pottery Center

233 East Avenue
Seagrove, NC 27341 United States

336-873-8430

The 73rd Annual Fall Edition Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands- November 12-15th

The 73rd Annual Fall Edition

JOIN US FOR ANOTHER VIRTUAL FAIR!
NOVEMBER 12-15TH

Our first ever Virtual Fair (July 16-19) was a new experience for both craft lovers and artisans. Our in-person October Fair, scheduled for the 15th-18th, 2020 has been cancelled and rescheduled for a virtual event, November 12-15th. Our Virtual Fairs recreate the craft experience online through live streams, craft demonstrations, and online booths where visitors can shop directly from artists. This page will go live with links to artist websites at midnight, on the eve of November 12th. Stay tuned for updates!

https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/craftfair/

View fullsize

Handmade: Crafts For Home & Holiday by M.J. MacAodh

“Sherry Masters of Art Connections, an ambassador of Western North Carolina’s fine-craft legacy who leads bespoke tours and administers local events for annual American Craft Week, will curate a holiday event at contemporary gallery Upstairs Artpace, located in downtown Tryon. Known for its avant-garde exhibits focused on artists in the foothills and upcountry South Carolina, the venue this season is recognizing the erudition in utility, presenting 25 prominent and emerging regional crafters (individuals and couples) working in clay, fiber, metal, wood, glass, leather, and mixed media.

“This is such a broad theme,” notes Masters in advance press, “[that] I had to narrow my focus to plan for groupings of objects that could make wonderful gifts, and would be lovely to accessorize a home.” She mentions vessels, trays, mugs, tumblers, “as well as mirrors, clocks, lamps — even a garden gate.” Jewelry and accessories (wallets, shawls, bags, and more) give the exhibit a personal touch. Well-known local names include ceramic artists Ann and Sandy Batton, Steven Forbes deSoule, and Leonid Siveriver; jewelry designers Erica Stankwytch Bailey and Kathleen Doyle & Tom Reardon; and wood artists Connie Molland and Desmond Suarez.”

READ MORE: https://ashevillemade.com/handmade-crafts-for-home-holiday/

Commissioned Piece for Mission Hospital - Asheville

I’m excited to share a commissioned piece for Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC!

Rising From the Ashes #1: 25"H x 20"W Mission Hospital Commission (Not For Sale)

Where Will the Art Be Displayed?
The new 12-story Mission Hospital for Advanced Medicine in Asheville will create a significantly expanded state-of-the-art emergency department with 97 beds, consolidated operating, preoperative and recovery space along with interventional cardiology and radiology space that allows for true multidisciplinary, team-based interventional care with the very latest technology. Importantly, the facility was designed to embrace patients and families throughout the care process including sleep-in-rooms and a unique energy-efficiency focus and design that will set a new standard for future innovation. The new tower is set to open in the fall of 2019.

MARCH 20, 2019 |Naples Florida Ikebana Chapter- Guest Potter

The Naples Ikebana Chapter is one of the larger chapters in the U.S. with about 70+ members.

4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples, FL  34112 | https://www.ikebananaples.com/ 

Raku Ikebana

I have fired these raku ikebana pieces using special glazes that coordinate well with the natural vibrancy of various flowers. These special raku pottery pieces embody this wonderful art form and are sure to give an extra bit of life to any floral arrangement.  

Raku Pottery Exhibit | Contemplative Art in the Age of Distraction June 29 - July 27

ASHEVILLE MADE MAGAZINE | It’s A Trial By Fire — And That’s After The Kiln Does Its Work

Raku pottery is an ancient Japanese art form that requires a meticulous process. But the final step is pure chance, and for Steven Forbes-deSoule, that’s the joy. “It’s like being a kid at Christmas,” he says.

Pieces are rapidly heated in a small kiln to the optimal temperature of 1900-2000 degrees Fahrenheit. Then they’re removed and placed in a metal can with newspaper. “The paper catches fire immediately, and, after a few seconds, a lid is placed on the can extinguishing the flames and creating an oxygen-starved environment,” the potter explains. This method produces a variety of effects on the piece, and it’s never the same look twice.

READ MORE>>>

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands | July 20-22, 2018

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

71th A N N I V E R S A R Y   |  J U L Y   20 – 22  &  O C T O B E R   19 – 21,  2018

Friday through Saturday, 10:00 to 6:00 pm + Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00pm
US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood Street | Downtown Asheville, NC
General Admission, $8.00 and Children under 12 free

In its 71st year, the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands returns to downtown Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center. Filling both the concourse and arena levels of the venue, makers exhibit a variety of craft ranging from contemporary to traditional in works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, natural materials, paper, leather, mixed media, and jewelry.

MORE INFO: https://www.southernhighlandguild.org/shops-and-fairs/craft-fair-of-the-southern-highlands/

Raku Pottery Workshop | Cowee Pottery School June 16, 2018

Raku Workshop at Cowee Pottery School in Franklin, NC

June 16, 2018 | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM | COST: $50

REGISTER AT: https://www.coweepotteryschool.org

Learn raku glazing strategies with award winning Steven Forbes-deSoule Students interested in this workshop will need one or two bisque pieces to raku glaze. If you are not a student currently with the Cowee Pottery School you can buy a piece to glaze for the class ($10-15.00 pieces are available)

Create with Clay

Cowee Pottery School is a nonprofit organization located in the historic Cowee School Arts and Heritage Center in the mountains of beautiful Franklin, North Carolina. We are run by a group of dedicated volunteers who specialize in teaching people of all ages the enriching art of pottery.

We offer affordable month long classes, perfect for the beginner or the pro. To see our current class list, click the button below. We keep the pottery studio open frequently throughout the week. Anyone enrolled in one of our classes can join us to practice and perfect their pottery skills during open studio at no extra charge. Day and times of open studio are listed. 

OUR CLASSES

Cowee Pottery School is here to serve those who have always wanted to get their hands muddy and create pottery, to play in clay. Which is why we're excited to host a range of pottery classes for the community. Difficulty level ranges from introductory to experienced, however most all classes will have a beginner aspect to them. And of course, all classes cater to the curious.

Raku Pottery Glaze : Forbes Sassy Fat White

With Silver Nitrate added I call this glaze Silver Slither, which is pictured.  This glaze has to be fired hot to about 1950F for the platelets to form beads.  it looks different on top of a variety of base glazes as you can see from the photos.  Works best on shoulder of pieces or on a more horizontal surface.  Mix on the thick side.  I usually apply a very small amount at a time by either pouring or brushing.  When I pour it, I often will blow on it to move it around.

View fullsize

Raku Pottery Glaze Recipe

Frit 3110                        85%
Nepheline Syenite            5
EPK                              10
Add:
Tin Oxide                        7
Magnesium Carbonate    34
Hectorite                         2  or Bentonite    1
Optional:  Silver Nitrate    2

View fullsize

April Glaze : Lime Green Crackle

View fullsize

Lime Green Crackle glaze is fired to 1900 degrees F, pulled from the kiln and reduced in a small can with newspaper.

RAKU POTTERY GLAZE RECIPE

Frit 3110                  58%
Frit 3269                  10
Nepheline Syenite:   22
EPK (Kaolin)             5
Silica                        5
Add:
Chrome Oxide          .4 (point 4)
Tin Oxide                  3
Hectorite                   2  or Bentonite  1%

This month's glaze is a revision of my March Glaze called Lime Green Crackle. Stay tuned for a silver glaze recipe next month!

This glaze is fired to 1900 degrees F, pulled from the kiln and reduced in a small can with newspaper.  Lid is put on immediately. Wait about 2 1/2 minutes and remove the lid.  Rub the top of pot with torn newspaper using gloves.  Once paper ignites cover can again immediately and let cool (you may have to use a torch to reignite the paper).  

Raku Pottery Glaze: Forbes Lime Green

View fullsize

As shown fired to 2000F with pyrometer so the silver glaze will melt.

RAKU POTTERY GLAZE RECIPE

Frit 3110                     54%
Nepheline Syenite    21%
EPK (Kaolin)               10%
Silica                           10%
Lithium Carbonate     5%
Add:
Chrome                       .4% (that's point 4)
Tin                               3%
Hectorite                     2%  (or 1 Bentonite dry mixed)

A note about Hectorite:  It's a suspender in powder form similar to Bentonite except it doesn't have to be dry mixed with the other chemicals.  It's not a common raku pottery glaze chemical and you may have to search for it on the web. I purchased mine at Highwater Clays, but they don't carry it anymore due to lack of demand (nobody knew what it was used for).

NEW COMMISSION FOR ART & ASSOCIATES

I just completed firing 25 pieces for a new commission from Art and Associates in Atlanta, Georgia.  It will be installed in the new DCCU headquarters in Atlanta.  This bottle is one of the pieces which features my Space Rock glaze.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands: 70th A N N I V E R S A R Y July 21 – 23 & October 20 – 22, 2017

Friday through Saturday, 10:00 to 6:00 pm + Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00pm
US Cellular Center, 87 Haywood Street | Downtown Asheville, NC
General Admission, $8.00 and Children under 12 free

Please note that our Fairs are moving from 4 days to 3 days, and we look forward to welcoming you on Friday.

RAKU POTTERY WORKSHOP: Wilkes Art Gallery May 20-21, 2017

Very excited to announce I will be holding a 2 day Raku pottery workshop at Wilkes Art Gallery in Wilkesboro, NC on Saturday, May 20th & Sunday, May 21st.   Space is Limited.

For more information please call or email the gallery to sign up: 336-667-2841 or cindy@wilkesartgallery.org

Hope to see you there!

WORKSHOP: Fire and Smoke, the Art of Raku: June 26-30, 2017

I will be hosting a Raku Workshop in Highlands, NC at The Bascom's Dave Drake Studio Barn entitled "Fire and Smoke, the Art of Raku" from June 26-30, 2017.  

If you are interested, please contact The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts at: 

828-526-4949
323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741

info@thebascom.org

Upcoming Shows in 2017!

Upcoming Events in 2017

February 18 - April 30, 2017

Upcoming solo show at the Joel Gallery at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts in Highlands, NC, I will also be teaching a workshop there June 26-30, 2017. 

January 24 - February 3, 2017
Exhibition at the at the Ocean Reef Art League in Key Largo, FL

February 9, 10 & 11
Workshop at the Ocean Reef Art League in Key Largo, FL

April 14 - May 20, 2017.
3 person show at the Wilkes art Center, in North Wilkesboro, NC. 

Write up from Venice Clay Artists

"Gazing at the free form patterns and natural colours of a raku pottery finish is like looking at the colourful atmosphere of a mysterious world. Steven Forbes deSoule raku pieces are no exception and present exotic vistas that invite wonderful intrigue. He introduces more green and blue hues, in addition to the typical earthy reds and orange raku colours, in the reduction process to enhance the colour diversity. He uses the raku standard of a steel rubbish bin for a reduction chamber, which I always view as a fantastic irony, relative to the glorious outcomes from raku firing.
Steven Forbes deSoule has been a successful raku pottery artist for over 37 years, creating unique, hand made vessels and sculptures, while finding endless ways to manipulate the oxygen, gases and glazes during the raku reduction technique, to achieve a myriad of attractive outcomes. His intricate firing process and use of his own glazes and underglazes, with multiple firings, leads to ‘one of a kind pieces’ displaying beautiful enriched colours and textures. “The one constant with my work throughout the years has been transformation. I find it fun and challenging to try new things, and I especially enjoy developing new glazes. I started firing exclusively using the raku process in 1982 and found the element of serendipity and surprise to be invigorating.”"

http://www.veniceclayartists.com/steven-forbes-desoule-raku-with-lush-hues/

New Commissioned Piece Joins Private Collection

A shot of one of my raku wall pieces commissioned by Glenn and Shirley Cueman with some other pieces they have collected from me over the years.