Pottery FlameThrowing by BillPowell 

I like how Bill is still responding to comments on here even though the vid is 7yrs old

That thing is so damn centered that it doesn't even look like it's spinning, it looks stationary most of the time. It's trippy

When the curve of the side wall matched with the curve of your head it was like magic. 40 years of throwing that form and it’s still fun to see someone else doing a great job of it. Ferdinkum mate.

I was on a mission to watch primitive tech on clay pottery. And ended up here. This is just shockingly amazing. WOW!

I have been getting angry and frustrated for the past week cause i have been wide awake all night and sleeping during the day so i came to RU-vid to watch calming videos and stuff and one lead me here and its so peaceful and lovely. I LOVE pottery its so beautiful i love this video. 😀😀

What an incredible video...magic happening right before my eyes! As a tenderfoot in the pottery world, I can honestly say that this old gal has found her inspiration. Thank you, Mr. Powell.

Hi bill So impressive,I’ve just taken up pottery at 60 ,I did it as a hobby for 2 years when I was 25 and only got back into it after my daughters bought me a lesson voucher for Christmas They have created a monster in that I spend anything up to 8 hours a day on a cheap $ 200 Wheel from China ,does the job for a couple of kilo pots no problems About to build my own wheel in next few weeks and my kiln turns up next week This has been absolutely fantastic for me as I’m retired and only can play golf twice a week so now I’m extremely occupied my whole time which I’m thrilled about This has given me a whole new lease on my life creating with my hands Always loved working with my hands I’m from melbourne,hope that doesn’t bother you too much I do come to Queensland once or twice a year for golf Would love to come visit and see you work All the best REGARDS RICHARD

I couldn't breath whilst watching this. The work of a master hand.

I didn't know what flame throwing was, until today. Thank for that, it's quite relaxing 😊👍🍃

This had to be the most relaxing video I have seen in ages.

Mr. Powell, I watched at least 5 times before I realized that your wheel spins opposite from the way ours does here in the northern hemisphere, amazing! Joking aside I am just floored by your technique, if you would please post more vids. I am new to pottery and with the help of youtube I am mostly self taught. I am now studying at a local studio but have never seen someone throw like you do. If you would, show us more of your work and your technique.

Do you have to drink coffee while torching? Or does that just make it look more badass?

I laughed out loud watching your video. With 15 years in the military as both an Army Medic and a Air Force Cop, I enjoyed watching you light the flame and then casually, as if you do this nonchalantly with compressed gas to set the world & and yourself on fire: "Ehhh, let me sit back and drink some coffee....Twice." Well done, Sir! Great video and really enjoyed watching!

We all have that problem Michael ,all I can say is just throw more pots. Basically it's a physical experience thing. Oh , and remember to compress the rim at each lift . This helps keep the piece tight and centred. Keep it up and all the best. It's very satisfying when successful. Cheers

I watched from beginning to end... just fixated! I don't know if making the pottery would be as peaceful to me as watching it being made but it's definitely inspiring! I'm so impressed! I don't even have enough words! Awesome!

Only people who have thrown on the wheel know how much SKILL it takes to stretch the clay out and than back in again to that extreme...only an artist can appreciate the "defies" gravity contours of that shape.....aesthetic, graceful, uplifting, organic....beautiful.

The burner is a very small pilot torch burner but it has a fishtail fitting attached which spreads the flame wide but not any bigger. The camera lens and angle tends to exaggerate the effect. It really is no drama size wise.Weed burners are much larger and heat guns are too slow for my liking.I have scorched the odd timer bat and have never used plastic bats.I have not had any flame problems to date. Good ventilation is a must.

lost count the amount of times I've watched this Bill, can't get enough. Thank you

Hey Tom mac Garrett. Ya got me. I made 6 dozen mugs today for the first time in many years. No more commercial mugs for me....lol.Cheers mate

Thank you for the wire cutter trimming tip. Gorgeous shape👏🏼👀

Awesome idea!! I am going to follow this...

I just happened upon this video and I am so glad I did. I came to pottery late in life only about five years ago. I consider myself a hobbyist, still a beginner one at that. Your prep of the clay is how I was taught. Your throwing method is impressive and inspirational. Beautiful work! The casual sipping of a beverage while using the flame torch is a stitch. I am subscribing so I may follow more of your videos. Thank you for sharing your skill.

I've used a hair dryer for that. Figures an Aussie would take it to 11.9 by using a blow torch. Kudos sir, you are an inspiration.

I've been taking pottery classes off and on for years and centering is still a problem. That is so center it doesn't look like it's moving. This makes want to take a class again. Thank you.

Between the music and the video, I fell asleep five times! 10/10.

strange that I should stumble upon possibly one of the worlds best throwers in you Bill. I still can't get enough of this masterful piece of throwing, thank you very much for sharing it with us.

The clay didn't appear to be wedged well. I feared a mess of a pot. Holy crap was I wrong! You have some of the best control I've seen in any of these videos. That's a lot of clay and you move it like a well choreographed dance. Beautiful job defying gravity. The monster pots in the background...are they made in one piece on the wheel or do you bring two pieces together? Thanks for taking the time to share this.

one of my fav videos, thanks Bill

masterfully beautifully made

Dame this guy has skills and I've seen some art and this guy has it.

Artist or magician??? Or both??? Incredible craftsmanship and great choice of music. Thank you for this, Bill.

I know nothing about pottery. This was Fantastic to look at. Thank you for your skill.

Too excellent! Thanks for sharing, Bill!

very very nice! Had to chuckle watching you sip from your store mug ! Thanks for the great video.

this dude is like let me play with fire while i drink coffee nice

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. You Sir, are an inspiration to us all. Awesome work and wonderful eye for what is appealing!

Fantastic!!! I Love your work!! I love this kind of pot

one of my most watched videos, thanks Bill.

Excellent choice of music. Your technique is downright inspirational.

I didn't know years were even discovered back then. Great work Bill....fun to watch and learn at the same time. Peace

you make it look effortless....just wow! This is so amazing.

This was the first videos of yours that I watched and STILL my fav Bill. You wouldn't even know the wheel is turning because your pieces are SO well centered, not only at the beginning but all through the making, great stuff Bill I use a torch and hairdryer on all my pieces, mainly because what I start; I like to finish the same day :) I really admire your skills and also your workshop is amazing, thanks for sharing

Amazing! THanks for posting!

Just enrolled in a wheel throwing taster class and looking up wheel videos to learn/get an idea of what I need to do to not make a piece of poop and I land here. I felt like my soul ascended watching this video but I have no idea what I just watched. Why flame it ? To adjust moisture and control clay texture? Initially watched this in my recommended feed without sound, so glad I clicked in cos it's like watching Disney magic 😩

Love it !

I really enjoyed watching you create this beautiful piece!

I love watching you work. It's such a beautiful craft and gift you have.

Hello litle Dad! This type of Art is peacefull and introducing us to the Self! Only be careful with the fire. Consider then an electric oven or a mask to avoid contact with soot, which can harm your lungs! The World needs this choices over and over again! Congratulations Sir! Go on! Thank you very much!

Playing mars in the background is a nice touch c:

I've been throwing for few years and your work is one of the best I've ever seen. The angle of the bottom is something impressive, even using a torch, Cheers

Phenomenal! Thank you for filming this!

Beautiful pot, very informative techniques.

This turning stuff is just like magic! Take a bunch of mud and make a thing of beauty out of it is just so amazing! Of course it helps to be watching a master at his craft. Makes it look so easy. What I would like to see are outtakes of the ones that didn't turn out so perfect...surely there must be a bad day in there somewhere!

I watched, completely mesmerized, from beginning to end. Simply beautiful. I was looking to learn pottery making, deciding to look at making a throwing wheel, then kickwheel at low cost to begin. Watching you, the art of your craft, made a lasting impression. Thank you.

Outstanding technique and control, gorgeous pots forms (I also include the ones in the background), impeccable musical taste (from a professional musician, and amateur potter)!

I personally loved how the music climaxed at the most difficult parts of the throwing (most likely to fail / be problematic). it seemed that someone prepared a soundtrack with knowledge of the difficulties of throwing such a piece. Bravo!! I throw similar pieces but wit much less experience - I learned a lot - Thank You!!

Stunning work and incredible technique.

This is such skill, thank you for posting! You have a gift!

Thank you so for sharing your talents with the Wheel -- your intelligent hands have such serenity pushing into form - - thoroughly enjoyed you creating. Gratefully Val

Gooday Bill, thanks for the entrancing video. I have read the comments and don't need to add more praise, agreeing. But approaching 70 and coming from a family of potters (different styles of work) and very appreciative of ceramics. Never have I seen or heard of the flame technique, I now understand the principal and admire your complete mastery of it to produce such exquisite light forms.

I am "awe inspired" everytime I watch this amazing throwing technique Bill, I too use a blowtorch often now. You are truly a "Master Potter" :)

Excellent throwing Bill. I usually use a pin tool for the lip, but have to try the wire.... steady hands. Thank you great video.

Clay loves you!

So genuinely therapeutic. Watching pottery spin just amazes. Someone please help me find the tools to do this!

Is the sound added to the video or are you listening to it while you create? Because I think it's absolutely amazing that you're listening to Mars, the bringer of war while doing something so peaceful (looking). P.s. I think you're amazing.

This is literal perfection. I had just learned how to use the heat gun in my pottery class (total game changer in my opinion) and came to this video to see if i could find any helpful techniques (definitely did!) But watching how you center your clay absolutely perfectly and what you did with you piece, you are a master craftsman, my friend! Thank you for this enlightening video!

You crack me up: Flamethrower, sip of tea....throw. Flamethrower, sip of tea....throw. I have to make due with an ancient bonnet & hose hair dryer (with the bonnet removed, of course) blowing on a pot on a slowly spinning broken-down hobby wheel in the corner while I work on my next pot. It's musical throwing in my studio.... That being said, You have elegant throwing technique. I enjoyed your video very much.

Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing 😊

your clay is so fluid appears magical

Thanks Bill. That was amazing! I thought the music was spot on! Can't wait for Dunedin to see more.

Thank you for sharing.... I am one who really appreciates your talent and skill..thanks

The music makes this video even better.

Inspiring! Thanks for taking the time to record and share. Off to the studio now to practice.

Beautiful, nice work. Very interesting to see this technique

My god... Watching the clay move under your hands is like watching black magic! Amazing to see.

Hi Bill; I watched your video about ten times. I find your ability to delicately throw our your form to be awesome. Terrance

He makes it look so easy!

Beautiful work Bill.

I thought it was finished a long time ago. Patience much needed.

now this is REAL master potter !!!!!bravo...

beautiful work and amazing skills !

Mesmerizing!!

Great stuff. Can't any more that that! Took me a little while to 'suss' that the classical background music was not in the background, but a dub (at least it sounded like that by the end of the video. One gentle suggestion: 'rock out' with the flaming/drying sections. My pennies worth? Fire Fire by Motorhead - "Fire, Fire! Conflagration, Fire, Fire! Hellfire, damnation, Fire, Fire! Strike six strike eight, Fire, Fire! I think you're great"..... Love and a warm fire in your grate, V:)

Fantástica peça! Adorei o trabalho feito

He was chillin torching and drinking coffee like a boss🤣like at at a camp

Cheers Dorie. looking forward to coming to Florida and the Dunedin Fine Art Center. We will explore this technique and much more.

If I was there you wouldn't need the bucket of water my tears would be enough beautiful

Expetacular!!!

G'Day postalpotter, sure and thanks for the compliment.I am not left handed .this simply the direction that I began with in 1977.The Japanese have a tradition of throwing clockwise.I'm so used to watching others throw anti clockwise that it looks strange even to me. Will have a new video up soon.Cheers.

Loving the star wars music in the background

Hi Bill, just watched this again for the umphteenth time. Still picking up tips. Thanks for sharing.

Like magic! Amazing!

i walked in from the other room thinking "oh, Mad Max is on"... ha! (...Hey Brian May, the jig is up!) awesome pot my friend... i want to throw that big

Oh man I love pot!

Absolutely perfect

What an incredible artist! I love the coffee break whilst torching! I would have set my hair on fire and the semi ashtray I was attempting to make! Look at this precision! And the centering! Such a craftsman! Well done! Do more videos.

Thanks newpotter48,the next video will be throwing multiple piece tall pots like the ones in the background. It will be in the new year as things are quite busy at this time . Cheers

Just passing thu and came across this video. TOTALLY caught my eye. Just in the 1st few minutes of watching you spin the clay allll the way up, allll the way back down ....this is cool! Actually AMAZING and you are damn good. The music playing is perfect. The flame throwing...well I don't have any words other than wow!!

great work!

belíssima obra de arte parabéns bill powell