Steven Skinner BlackTree Studio Pottery

In 2011 with the help of Matthew Gaddie, I built my first downdraft reduction kiln; named the Joyce kiln after my mother. Due to increased demand and wholesale interest in my pottery, I bult a second larger car kiln with double the capacity. Matthew Gaddie was again the Lead Builder. Along with his assistant Roger Crady we built the Elene William kiln during the third week of August 2015. We finished completion in October and we fire it to this day.

It is named The Elene William kiln after my grandmother Elene and my grandfather William each who influenced me in life and art.

Shed Construction

setting up the forms for the foundation.	The pour.
The finished pad	Finished pots and White Eddy.
Setting the shed posts and Jennie	Brick delivery
Framing	Finished trusses

Kiln Construction - Monday

Unloading the car and tracks	Kiln support frame in place
Testing the car and tracks	Kiln support frame with car and tracks
Laying first course of soft brick	First layer of brick and Annie

Kiln Construction - Tuesday

The work site

The kiln taking shape

Kiln Construction - Wednesday

Matthew and Roger	Specially engineered peep
Taking shape	Master kiln builder

Kiln Construction - Thursday

Arch form in place	The arch form looking okay
Inspecting the car wall	Pushing in the car and wall
Closed kiln	The work site

Kiln Construction - Friday

Construction the kiln frame	Welding a top frame in place
Welding a side frame	Grinding a frame corner fair

Kiln Construction - Saturday

Master builders and open kiln	Kiln interior
Kiln front and shed	Kiln back and shed
Insulating the arch	Finishing the chimney
Test firing	Celebrating the finished kiln

The two kilns

First firing

Many firings since construction and doing great!

Steve

BlackTreeStudio.com