works/forms in process

some new forms.  large slab built servers, small salt sellers.  I've also so a little plan for these driftwood pieces...

some newness

I've been doing some new work.  I'm using a simple modern form and exploring more drawing and illustration, the drawing is my focus.  Though I spend time considering the functionality and design of the form, and I'm attracted to every kind of form, I seem to stick to a very simple utilitarian shape.  I go back and fourth about it in my mind, but still the same thing keeps popping out.

I think a pitcher form may be as complicated as a tea pot to make?


oh, my apologies my tiny readership; I've been neglecting the blog for months now; I'm on FB, Etsy, Pinterest.  I'm definitely spending (wasting) too much time lollygaging on the computer...I haven't even updated my own website.  I used to write the blog at work, where I often had time on my hands.  The odd thing about not working is how different time is.  I have had success and failure at managing my time, but that's another post; working on that one.


I'd like to get back in the saddle on the blog and puff it up with some new life....

School Pictures

Here are some shots with the backdrop.  I still can't help but think they look like school pictures ;-)

It's an entire day to photograph, download, transfer files, resize, clean up and then list them on Etsy!  It's good I worked on a computer all day for years, I have the stamina!  But man, it's a time suck!

I have to keep 'working my angles' and getting these a little better, but it's a start.  Right now as I am filling out applications for shows, it is important to have these.

Dogwood Vases

Work in progress; new Dogwood Vases averaging 12 - 14' tall.  Working on a pitcher form and large oval servers!

feedback/conversation on photographing work

I just unrolled my new, static-y, pristine backdrop ( thank you Adorama - for the giant plastic bag! - I can use that ) and spent some time photographing some pieces - this is mainly for use on my ETSY shop.

I know most ceramic artists' present their work with the standard gradient backdrop and most of the time it looks great.  It works.  For formal submissions, I believe, it's the standard.  It's unquestionably ideal for photographing most work.  I know it's the go-to visual platform.  BUT....for the Etsy environment, I'm not sure it's the answer.  It's easy.  It's a no-brainer.  But, like most easy no-brainer's, it's also kind of, well, dull.

Anyway, I'm trying to find a 'backdrop' that works for my work.  The wood looks good, but the blue and white isn't  working.  Can you tell I've been spending too much time on Etsy.

I know each person has to find the right look.  It's not always that easy; I like the idea of critique and suggestions for  improvements.  

Any comments, experience with etsy, photographing, input.  I like input.  please.  do.  

this one feels different

Today for whatever reason 'feels' like a new year.  I don't remember feeling so much like I've 'entered' a new year quite the way I do this time.  I'm not sure why, but there it is.

I don't know about you guys; last year was a bleepin' bleepity bleep of a year?  I lost my job, got a boy, he moved in, he moved out,  people showed up, people left, people died and babies were born....and then the holidays came.   Even though it was a royal ass pain, I'd do it all again, all of it critical, even necessary.   The hardest lessons are the best teachers!  I love it.

But, what's curious, what's odd, is 'last year' already feels more like years ago.  It doesn't feel like just months and weeks and days have just gone by.  Today feels like everything somehow got fast forwarded, much like an era ended and a new one suddenly started.  People must have their own personal eras.  It is almost like flipping through some old photo album wondering who is that person I'm with and why the hell did I wear that?

I've still no "real" job.  And my definition of that is rapidly changing.  I've been operating as if clay IS my real job and will keep doing that until I figure out what a "real" job is for me now (my bank accounts' are in charge, however).   I don't know what it's going to be; I can tell what it isn't: working for a massive company, ushering people and paper here and there - with two actual hours of work each day and 6 hours of politics.   After 25 years of that nonsense, I'm having an allergic reaction to any thing resembling a cube and 360 reviews.

I applied to 4 shows - would like to find a couple more.  I'd like to keep to a pretty regular studio schedule, and spreading events out over the year every couple months will keep me on my toes!

Started my Etsy shop - we'll see how that goes.  I have a lot to learn there.  I'm going to design some t-shirts, note cards and maybe some other stuff...

I just found a bigger kiln (needed).  I need an electrician.  ...actually, I need a plumber too!

Brushing off the remaining dust of last year and (smiling) and looking forward.  Hopefully, next year I will have some really fabulous pictures to look back on?

...I just started cranking out some Valentine's Day stuff - waving goodbye to last year, and looking at 2012 and saying "Hello Sailor"

fun times ahead!

MC & HNY Everyone!

in a way only the bumble can say...

see you in the new year!
best,
Linda

Shots from the November Show

The Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival photos.

This almost didn't happen;  things went south right before the event - it took some luck to make it happen.  Added to the shenanigan's at work leading up to the thing - Santa Cruz is an hour south of where I live - I had lost "my ride" and wasn't sure how I was going to get there...  but, the cavalry showed up in the 11th hour.  I do have some bad ass friends.

I had the the display built for the cups, the bench was lent to me from an old cookhouse shed - the thing is probably 40yrs old, and the little yellow cabinet I got for $25 at a local flea market (SCORE!).  There's a grim story in all that, but it's now not worth the telling...live and learn.

I didn't have time to really plan or set the booth display up in advance or see the space so it was a total gamble and I think it worked.

I've been trying to get "green" in how I work in my studio, present my work and the packing I use.  I did not use any plastic, I've migrated to glass for all my slip and glaze and recycle my clay either to the local studio or for my own use.  So, going forward, all my packing materials are recycled and recyclable, down to the tape!  I'm also stoked that the entire display was built of recycled and re-purposed furniture and materials.  



This gal here in the last picture is Krista Hammond the show promoter and organizer.  I'd do any show she ever puts together.  This is an insanely organized and well orchestrated event.
I look forward to next year.

Check out her jewelry here:  Krista Hammond - Santa Cruz Sea Glass 
her work is gorgeous; it was featured in The Emmy's gift bag this year!

I took the plunge

My new ETSY Shoppe.

I welcome all input and feedback and tips and pointers.  I just did not realize the depth of Etsy-esque things I need to find out about and learn.

Happily, I did have a successful end of year with sales and don't have a dearth of inventory.  I did have a goal of getting this up and running before year end and,,,,well, I have.

It literally took me all day to get it up and list my modest 7 pieces!  I do have more work to photograph and list.  It's fun but takes time.  I especially don't know my way around so the learning curve is a tad steep!

ETSY veterans, please let leave some comments here or on facebook...friend me if you haven't already.  I'm doing my best to mine for information - but input by those that have gone before me is greatly appreciated!!

fun times ahead.  

Cuppas

Cups of love on top
Orange Dream cups- peek at pieces made for the Fourth & Clay DESSERT show coming up on Thursday, Dec 8
Blue Navigator Cups
and couple action shots from happy purchasers!

new head

Third in a series.  This is sculpture 412 from Imaco - great clay body.  All underglazes, low fired.  I used the matte glaze and clear gloss glaze on the eyes.  I didn't cut the matte in half with water which I normally do and got some pooling - waxy looking, but on this piece not too bad.  The face however does  give off a bit too much sheen....

new work; what I've been getting up to

here are some shots of work in progress and completed new work.  I am using cone 5 smooth body bmix.  I went through a period of trying a bunch of cone 5 porcelain clay bodies and I did have some even results.  I have found with my process, manhandling, the porcelain wasn't going to work, there was too much loss and too much frustration - literally coming apart at the seams!  I can say it's also the lack of patience and skill by the user, no doubt!   For pumping out a steady stream of functional ware, the bmix is so stout, so predictable, with enough elegance in it's final color, a smooth enough body for the detail...it's a workhorse.  In fact, the vanilla color of the clay body adds that little somptin' somptin' to the nostalgic flavor I'm looking for!  Still the porcelain is wringing in my ears.

favorite tool; a tiny exacto!

The best part is when I happen to get the clay at it's most perfect leather-ness -  drawing at that perfect time is absolute bliss...a million tiny lines.  I need to get out the house a bit more.  

WOW! what the hec just happened!?

hi!  anyone there?  it's me....I'm 'HOME'.

So much has happened since I had to sign off in August; sorry about that.  I am back up and running!
The short story is I lost my corporate job and have been adjusting to life as a ceramic artist...it has been a very interesting and, to be kind to myself, challenging process.  As I get back in the bloggy-groove I'll relate some anecdotal tidbits here and there.  I'm excited to be back focusing some attention on this, I'm grateful for the break.  Adjusting to working at home, not being tied to a large company after many many years of "service" and to be looking into the future uncertain of exactly what's down the road is very exciting and well, nerve wracking.  Thank god I know so many people who do exactly what I'm trying to do and are a great source of support and information.

It's been a break indeed; I've got a lot of catching up to do!

cheers!
linda

Blogger issues

Hi there! Having some issues with the blogger interface...hope to get things up and back to "normal" soon!

Sorry.

WIP, LIP

I am working out how to post via my iPad, so forgive any wonkiness.

This is the final underglaze layer, gave this one some eyes. Matte clear layer with a little gloss on the eyeballs.

Coming up; I'm taking a sculpture intensive with the amazing (seriously), ah may zing Susannah Israel for six weeks. I'm really excited about it and will warn you I will probably be posting about it to the enth degree...especially if I get this iPad iBlogger thing dialed in.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPad]

WIP and some new molds

 

Started glazing the WIP.  it's a beginning, though I'm not sure where I'm heading (haw! no pun intended).  Amaco underglazes, first firing, to be continued...

AND, making some new bowl molds - I've been using these bowls as slump molds and I think I can get a cleaner result with a plaster mold - so at it I went this weekend.  I actually really like working with plaster.  I found myself mold-happy walking around my house eyeing everything as potential molds...go mold or go home!

Ed made the wood molds for me to be re-used, so just getting started.  If I can get some success, I'll make enough to up my production!  Actually, I've not made this type of mold before, I got some tips from Tiffany Schmierer over the phone and tried to figure out the rest.  Possibly not the best practice - I made a clay 'rim' for the bowl to seat on and made it pretty clean and tight.  I then put Vaseline on the bowl, which is made of bamboo, and poured away.  The bamboo is pretty snug in the mold, it hasn't yet released.  I'm hoping that when the plaster dries more the bamboo will lose some of the suction and be set free?

I probably could have watched a you tube video....

Julie Moon

Julie Moon is balls out.  I really like the energy and darty nature of her style.  Kitch with density.   Her website is image laden - not a lot of verbage on her - but feast your eyes, people.  Feast your eyes.