Christian's New Project

Christian has been doing a lot of pottery lately. He is doing Anasazi Replica pieces. He actually makes them the way they did 1,000 years ago! There is so much work and hours that goes into each piece. Fisrt, you get the clay. He drives about 1 hr 20 mins. to one spot, dig it up. You have to be careful that you don't get any coal mixed in because they lay right on top of each other. Second, you grind it up into a fine powder, sift it, then sift it finer and grind it up again. Third, mix it with distilled water to make the clay. Then you make the piece you want, whether it be a mug, bowl, dipper, or Kiva Jar. Let it dry. Then you "slip" it with white clay that you also have to dig for. You have to wait for that to dry at the opportune time before polishing it with a smooth stone. If you do it too early or too late, it won't come out right. After those steps are finished. You trace the design you want with a special pencil and paint it with a special brown paint made from natural stuff that I don't even know! Then you fire it! Christian has made at least a dozen peices, but hasn't quite fired them yet. He has been taking private lessons from a guy outside of Bayfield, CO whom he has learned all the technique from. He even read his book that he wrote, Clint Swink is his name. Below are pictures of some of the pieces he has done. I thought I would show everyone what he has been up to and what an artist he is. He has done a fabulous job. It is so exciting to think that these pieces(if they survive the firing process) will be displayed downstairs in our new house!