In 1978 we moved to a small farm northwest of Edmonton, an hour up highway 43 (the Alaska Highway), where I spent the summer and fall building a new studio. I began showing my work at the Stony Plain Multicultural Centre.
Our farm happened to be in the federal riding represented by Joe Clark, who had just become Prime Minister. Mr. Clark’s wife, Maureen McTeer, wishing to patronize artists and craftspeople in the riding, commissioned me through the Centre to make a 24 place dinner set for use in 24 Sussex Dr.
I proposed a loose, abstracted, ‘Alberta landscape’ design, achieved by pouring oxide stains over the glazed surface and Ms McTeer approved it. Unfortunately, the Clark Government fell before the set was delivered, so the Clarks decided to use it at Stornaway, the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition.
Another large dinner set was commissioned in 1980 by Mr. & Mrs Ralph Thrall Jr., an 18 place dinner set in porcelain for the McIntyre Ranch, south of McGrath, Alberta. Using a similar decorating technique, somewhat less abstract than the McTeer design, it suggested mountain landscapes, reflecting the ranch’s proximity to the Rockies.
Also, in 1991, as a wedding gift for my daughter Michelle and her husband Marco, I made an eight place setting. I’d been playing with some simple fish designs, brushed on coloured glazes, so I thought a marine theme would be fun.
That laid the groundwork for Ultramarine, the exhibition I had at the Gardner Museum of Ceramic Art.
‘Blue’ six place dinner set, exhibited at Harvest House Gallery in 1976, white stoneware, blue glaze sprayed with brushed cobalt blue leaf design, ∆10.
Lucas ten place dinner set, 1979, including casserole and other extras, poured oxide stain design, stoneware, ∆10.
Mcteer set, 24 place, 1979, stoneware, white base glaze, poured oxide design, fired to ∆10. This photo, with two place settings along with some of the other pieces included: casseroles, pitchers, cream and sugar sets, salt and pepper sets, butter dishes, gravy boats, three sizes of plates, etc.
McTeer dinner plate, 1979
stoneware, white base glaze
poured oxide design, fired to ∆10
McTeer dinner plate, 1979
stoneware, 31 cm d
white base glaze, poured oxide design, ∆10
McTeer dinner plate, 1979
stoneware, 31 cm d
white base glaze, poured oxide design, ∆10
Mcteer lidded serve bowl, 1979, stoneware, white base glaze, poured oxide design, ∆10
McTeer salad & soup bowls,1979, stoneware, 14 & 17 cm d, white base glaze, poured oxide design, ∆10
‘Mrs. A’s’ 12 place porcelain dinner set, 1980, porcelain with trailed porcelain slip design, clear glaze, ∆10. Mrs. ‘A’ was Ann Anfindsen, who ran a gallery on Jasper Avenue in Edmonton where I began selling my work.
McIntyre Ranch, showing all pieces of the 18 place. dinner set, 1980, porcelain, glazed, poured oxide design, banding, ∆10.
McIntyre Ranch dinner set, 1980, porcelain, glazed, oxide design and banding, ∆10. One of 18 place settings.
McIntyre Ranch dinner set, 1980: cheese bell & tray, along with various extras, porcelain, glazed, oxide banding, ∆10
wedding dinner set, 1991, ‘octopus’ place setting, white stoneware, ∆10.
wedding dinner set, 1991, ‘fish’ place setting, white stoneware, ∆10.
wedding dinner set, 1991, ‘red’ place setting, white stoneware, ∆10.
wedding dinner set, 1991, sauce boat and teapot, white stoneware, ∆10.
wedding dinner set, 1991, butter bell and candle holders, 14 cm high.
