If All My Neighbors Were Potters...

I visited this wonderful potter's village in Manikgonj. When they found out that I was a potter they said that I do Hindu work. I have a confession to make. I like taking pictures of pots almost as much as I enjoy making pots. All of the families in this village are potters and they all have their own kiln etc. on their property. The pots below are all stacked up and ready for the kiln to be built around them.




Here is one of the potters loading up the pots to be fired.




Here, amazingly enough is a neighboring kiln that is fully loaded. The pots been enclosed in clay walls which form the outside of the kiln. The big hole is where the fire is built. The sari adds some great color to the picture and has nothing to do with pottery.




Here is my colleague, Bita, carrying several of the bowls we bought, to the van.




Last but not least, my favorite pot shot. I feel like I have to paint it. It is so rich with shadows and subtle color contrasts and not-so-subtle texture contrasts. It almost feels as if they have already started to bake in the light of the sun and I can feel the tension, knowing how fragile a bone dry piece of greenware is.

The Younger Two

This is my "mejho" (middle) son Pruitt. A little man after my own heart. He has his hands in clay. After trekking down to the river the boys had a blast splashing around and collecting mud. This is the first time they have been able to swim since they've arrived. They were in little boy heaven.



This is Riley in one of his rare quiet moments.

Pot Heaven!

Here is an amazing display of greenware. This is the first layer of the kiln load. The pots will be stacked higher and higher and then they will support the kiln that they are to be fired in. Absolutely amazing...not to mention beautiful!




Here are some real beauties in their natural habitat!





Contrasting bone-drying greenware with the finished pots.





More finished pots...




A broken pot hanging on the outside of a kiln. Photo is a bit washed out. This kiln was still hot from the last firing and as we walked up unto the kiln mound we started sweating. Okay, okay...we were sweating anyways.