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!