we swim with the fishes

School Pictures

2012-01-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

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

feedback/conversation on photographing work

2012-01-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-12-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

in a way only the bumble can say...

see you in the new year!
best,
Linda

Shots from the November Show

2011-12-17T09:40:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-15T09:49:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T20:22:00.000-08:00

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!?

2011-11-28T09:26:00.000-08:00

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

2011-09-13T08:41:00.001-07:00

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

Sorry.

WIP, LIP

2011-09-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

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.

WIP and some new molds

2011-08-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

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.

navigating major changes

2011-08-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

New vases

Ed's newbie cup

My world is in flux. I need a deflocculant. Now, so I don't LOSE MY MIND; I am working to plant seeds, keep my feet on the ground, connect to what's important, learn and change, not have a meltdown while I'm at it.

Some parts I'm handling gracefully. Some parts, uh, not so much. See, I wasn't prepared for this change? Funny how that works. So lots of navigating and reorientation. And guess what; introverts have pretty low tolerance...I think that's why I keep having fleeing fantasies - like going on a trip to fiji, walking out on my job, getting in my car and driving.....to LA.

So while floating around on a swelly sea; I really need to get to work in my studio producing work for a show in November. that's probably the answer. clay.

Katsuyo Aoki

2011-07-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Jenn Brazelton sent me a link to Katsuyo's "Predictive Dreams" series. I won't bore you with fumbling for words to talk about this. Visit HERE and take time to look - also read the artist statement, it's exceptionally well written.

accepted!

2011-07-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Linda,

Congratulations - you have been accepted to the 2011 Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art festival!

We had an overwhelming amount of applications this year, with 55 artists and only 36 spaces.

Each artist application was categorized according to medium and viewed by a 5 panel jury. Points were awarded according to originality, photo quality, technique, and overall artistic quality. It was a very tough decision for us.

best,

Krista

The coldest summer is the summer I spent in San Francisco...

2011-07-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

I've been off the grid. I spent 10 days in Gualala, CA and stayed with my boyfriend at his family home. I had never been to Gualala until recently and this trip was my second. The real gift, and there were many. was that there is no signal. ZERO reception. No iphone. No computer. No blog. NO Facebook! It's so exacting that when you cross into "no signal country" you now have no choice but to cross into "no signal country". In our world, it's a lot like crossing "to the other side". It can be a very scary thing. There is little or no thought at all to even trying to find a signal. I was a little bummed at myself that I was back "on" almost as soon as I had access - but I did value the time off and it did illustrate how much time and energy is devoted online. I really got how much more space it opens up when you're not on, or distracted by, what you think you might be missing.

The Mendocino Coast is breathtaking, Gualala is no exception. It's beautiful up there. It was hot, we ate, we worked hard, we played hard, and slept like the dead! I can't wait to go back!

The property is 10+ acres of trees, meadows, gardens, old cabins and sheds. It's beautiful. There is a little trail to walk through the forrest on the property, all of it feels like being home. The peace and quiet - it reminds me so much of hot summers at our family home in Glen Ellen when I was a kid. The Gualala river is near by, not to mention an ocean, and the water is glassy crystal clear. See where I'm going with this...so super easy to blow off your stupid signal.

on the clay front:

I've applied to a show in November and we'll see if I've made it; tough competition this year. If it's a go, it's time to ramp up production. I've made some vases and cups in an effort to get my ass in gear and back in some kind of making groove...even the boyfriend recently got in on the act. I have to say that it's an interesting thing to spend time in your studio with your significant other. I enjoy his company in the evening studio time together. I often need to work alone to concentrate. There are some points in process when I still do need to just do my shit. When someone in my studio with me, I notice I have a tendency to slightly downplay whatever I'm working on - I have no idea why - I have to work harder to concentrate on what I'm doing which means I get very quiet. But, I do like the juxtaposition. He's a creative and talented builder in his own right; I learn a lot from experiencing his approach and process. Really, I'm just super stoked he get's it! love and art are pretty fucking good together.

here's the boyfriend cup! awesome, I think. it's been glazed and going in the kiln tonight.....stay tuned.

forward motion

2011-06-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

hey gang - I'm off for a bit here - I'll be back on in mid-july and hope to have some tales to tell and visual spectacles for you to behold.

see you soon, eh!

photo; via morgan maassan

twilight color

2011-06-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

the incomplete manifesto for growth | Bruce Mau

2011-06-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

All over this today!
Happy Full MOON eclipse - because it's big even it you don't notice it...

Bruce Mau Design

Thomas Christopher Haag

2011-06-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Thomas Christopher Haag - I met him on Saturday at The Compound Gallery opening. I bought those lower two pieces. He is referencing when Buddha reaches enlightenment, He exclaimed:

"I have had numerous births. In vain have I sought the builder of the house. Oh, the torment of perpetual rebirth! But I have seen you at last, O builder of the house. You no longer build the house. The rafters are broken; the old walls are down. The ancient mountain crumbles; the mind attains to nirvana; birth is no more for desire is no more."

Thomas' work is amazing - it requires your attention and curiosity to investigate each piece and the multidimensional symbolism and incredibly intricate layering of imagery and text. Trust me that the pictures do these pieces no justice whatsoever you need to see this stuff in the flesh.

He uses reclaimed house paint and wood and old books and periodicals. Clever.

I was blown away.

Thomas Christopher Haag has a space at The Compound Gallery
Website

alberto seveso

2011-06-10T14:02:00.000-07:00

this is only a drop in the bucket. I don't even know what to say...

just. go. here...alberto seveso

Bronwyn Oliver

2011-06-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

Bronwyn Oliver had that rarest of all skills: she knew how to create beauty.

It might seem facile to read her life, and her death, into the works, but she was so much like her work: simple yet complicated, fragile yet strong, eccentric though oddly straightfoward. She was a deeply awkward person, but it was this awkwardness that lent her works their peculiar grace, that made them interesting. The shadows cast by the object were an integral part of the artwork, and sometimes the shadow would be more powerful than the object, become the work itself. One wonders if her extraordinary industriousness was a way of warding off the shadows that finally engulfed her.

An extremely guarded person, she gave an unusually candid interview a few months before her death, revealing insights into a painful childhood and complex feelings about parenthood. She had no children, and several of her works referred to barrenness in some way – the suggestion of a shrivelled pod inside the lacy carapace of the larger shape, for example. She loved her years of teaching art to small children at Cranbrook – a career she could afford to retire from a couple of years ago – and one wonders whether the responsibilities and human contact of this job helped to keep her aloft. Although she had an angular sort of personality and could be brusque at times, she had a touching nature, and a surprising, almost old-fashioned unworldliness. At the same time the covert aggression and defensiveness of some of the works hinted at an inner darkness: as she said, ‘I haven’t made an innocent work in a long time.’

Bronwyn was modest yet utterly sure of her vision, secure in the confidence of her originality. Her art was fully resolved – perfect, really – and she stands alone in the annals of Australian art history. There was no-one like her: she invented her own deeply intelligent form, and entered fully into the world that it opened out to her.

Her most successful works were like a flourish, a single expressive gesture. The idea of the work was always perfectly worked out which gave the finished object a wholeness, an authority and sense of inevitability, as though it had always existed. There was an astonishing clarity in the entire thinking behind her work. Her titles, apt and always sophisticated, were an integral part of the work, a clue into the meanings of her unique conceptual language. The objects were painstakingly produced, and sometimes – but only if the work was not entirely successful – slightly tortuous. Of course we will read her work this way now – for the moment the shadows will dominate the art, and will change the way we read it forever – but nothing can alter the resilience of the works themselves, their eternal elegance, intelligence and beauty.

Hannah Fink

all pics courtesy of Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery

I'm still trying to recover from the story of Bronwyn Oliver. The painful parallels. Her work is beautiful, intelligent....and silent. Silent like the hours and hours she spent alone - the existence she had in the world that created them. moving.

Sylvian Deleu blog

2011-06-08T13:12:00.000-07:00

found via sylvian deleu photography blog.

An interesting pictorial dynamic of design, art, fashion among other interesting happenings. His wife is Aneta Regel Deleu - so there is a regular bent toward the ceramic community in the UK.

Plate: Cormac Boydell (incredible)
Rings: Aneta Regel Deleu
Box: Hitomi Hosono - made for wedgewood. so quiet and brilliant.

I want to talk about Gundi Deitz

2011-06-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

words from her website: "Creatures with a strange sexuality, girl-like an massive lost in meditation and whimsical at the same time, helplessly plump and yet frivolous."

I'm drawn in. The power of this work for me is it is all about contrast and extremes, but in so subtle a way - there is such solid, stubborn power displayed in the fragile porcelain 'picture' of a pudgy, seemingly simple, innocent, young (?) girl.

Gundi Deitz website is very interesting in that the gallery format shows photos of work spanning 30 years. I find it a fascinating commentary on the emergence of a style and it's spectacular expansion. I found it very informative to see such an amazing artists career arc.

Please go check out the works page on her website.
and here

I'm feeling akio and esther in these pieces too!

Angela Cunningham

2011-06-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

um. stunning. sensual.

for more:
Angela Cunningham
Vessels Gallery

progress

2011-05-31T07:42:00.000-07:00

working on it; paint on wipe off, paint on wipe off. repeat.

Guess what? Stuck and unstuck go hand in hand

2011-05-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

Pulled this out of the kiln still nice and warm and WHAM! Instantly unstuck. The other piece I was suffering through finishing - well, it's drying. I'm still ambivalent about it, though.
Then this got my attention and I couldn't be more unstuck, more engaged.

Interesting that this is mirroring some personal life events too, but I digress. How did I not get that the two things often happen simultaneously or semi-simultaneously. Am I oversimplifying the complexities of the creative process? I am just thinking if you have a lot of tools in the tool box - stuck is a way less existential crisis-y, little downward spiral and therefore less impactful to the creative psyche. This isn't coming out right...I think it's just that sometimes you're ahead and sometimes you're behind.

Shakespeare said; "Everything and Nothing"

I still feel the same way about the windy/water piece - wishy washy, but I don't about this one.

For this piece: I thought I'd capture the glaze process as I go along on this one (please, my super talented friends; chime in at any time if you think I need saving!)

Depth Perception

2011-05-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Olaf Hajek

I've been sitting on these for months and months. This work is a big factor in what spawned my interest in doing my recent pieces. I have gone back to these Olaf Hajek over and over in my mind - for me they instantly got under my skin, instantly became unforgettable. I don't even know how to begin to describe the connection I felt to this work. Every time I look at them, my heart almost jumps out of my body. This is connection/inspiration on a spirit journey level. I had already been going down the road of doing "big hair" - I have seen Susan Beiner's work which inspires me, and Cristina Cordova's work - the large head pieces. BUT, when I saw these it was like finding a suitcase full of $1000 bills! a big suitcase, people.

this is where you crack it open and the sweetest juice comes pouring out!

intense.

here's an interview

head references

2011-05-26T12:54:00.000-07:00

Thinking about heads, shape, features, contour, form and how to make one...been slowing down while in class with Sharon Virtue - who's teaching a sculpture intensive at Clay Creations. Dealing with the "logistics" of building sound - proportions first! It's good. I resist the ruler "rule" but secretly like it.

krista Grecco
scott fife
sergei isopov
gundi deitz
scott fife
cristina cordova
akio takamori
Scott Eaton

uh, get a load of scott fife, jesus! and after recently attending a workshop with sergei isopov and getting a chance to meet and talk with him - incredible insight is added for me as I look at his work. He is the narrative.

Thaddeus Erdahl

2011-05-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Thaddeus Erdahl

I'm studying this. The eyes, the surface depth and detail. The eyes! Such amazing work. I am loving the little skateboard ramp as a substructure!

visit his blog and I urge you to click on these pictures and look at them full frame. They are incredible.

becoming unstuck

2011-05-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

work in progress. The idea of the 10,000 hours to mastery came up in Julia Galloway's workshop and now it's popping up everywhere - I don't know the history of the theory; I believe Malcolm Gladwell may have brought it mainstream. I'm somewhere at around the 4000 hours mark in ceramics - that makes me somewhere in the neighborhood of half an expert? Uh, half ass, maybe.

don't know.

I do know that I have a lot to learn and a long way to go. When I start a piece I usually have an idea fairly well formed in my mind. I don't do drawings or plans on paper and I'm starting to wonder if I should. I look at inspiration, do research and think a lot about it, picture it in my mind. I'm a HUGE believer in focused visualization. It may be why I have a migraine right now. I like the freedom to let the piece create itself - ironically, it then feels more like drawing or painting. I'm so averse to being hemmed in somewhere in my pea brain I'm thinking drawing out and forming an idea on paper is somehow hemming me in. Yes. It's kind of dumb. I get it.

And the reason I'm having this discussion with myself is; I'm stuck. I am blank. Guess what, the thing isn't making itself, it isn't creating any direction in me when I'm working on it. I'm stuck. It's stuck. Another week she sits under the plastic bag while I try to move forward - in my head. Do I add flowers, do I put a boat on her head - with flowers? Hands? What decoration, what glaze....I'm reaching for anything that gets me out of this stuck place.... it's wind, it's water, it's the perfect storm....

I also keep re-referencing Ira Glass and his genius about just making a lot of work. Funny thing, he's talking about the 10,000 hours program.

"The way to learn to do things is to do things. The way to learn a trade is to work at it. Success teaches how to succeed. Begin with the determination to succeed, and the work is half done already." - Mark Twain, writer and humorist.

Workshop trifecta

2011-05-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Friday's Workshop: Jason Walker and Sergei Isopov were hosted at College of Marin for a workshop. Hue Yang told me about it so I was being opportunistic.

College of Marin is now sporting an incredible and awe inspiring new ceramic arts facility! Words can't explain. I had recently seen Jason Walker at California Clay Conference in Davis and watched his demo there - it was interesting to watch Sergei work on a piece. I was surprised at how he uses almost all slab construction - he pushes and pokes at the clay to get it to go where he wants. Jason is very precise in his movements. Sergei is hilarious and entertaining; he is in all respects a showman.

Saturday's Workshop: Julia Galloway Workshop in Walnut Creek. Remember I told you guys about this one a while ago...I was really looking forward to it. It was a packed house! Julia is one of the most knowledgeable and gracious people I've think I've ever met. A wonderfully informative workshop - she is a pistol! Most of the wisdom and guru-esque-ness was delivered so quietly in between techniques - if you blinked you'd miss something very important. She has a dearth of information and historical context that it makes for a very interesting discussion on process, workshops, current and up and coming artists, reference to the past. I highly recommend signing up for a workshop with her. No matter your skill or style, she'll inspire and she'll definitely teach you something.

Shellac was my literal takeaway; the philosophical takeaways were numerous and probably different depending on where you are in your career. Jesse Lu from Jesse Lu's Mudbucket was there and will probably have some additional details and photos.

Sunday: We hosted Jane McDonald at Clay Creations for a Raku sculpture and firing day. Jane is a super cool woman; I really like her and look forward to taking a trip up to her studio in Petaluma to spend some time with her. She teaches at SF State and in her own studio. She has a long history of supporting clay in her community and teaching kids and seniors! A wonderful woman. It was a great workshop too!

Honestly, I"m tired. Actually, I'm tired of workshops. Time to take a break from workshops....and just immerse in my own work; up to my neck!

I'll leave you with this:
Leza McVey - another amazing and mostly forgotten sculptor and potter.

Just out of the fire

2011-05-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

This was the second piece I made in the current obsession with busts; she's been sitting in the firing shed to wait for the last scheduled raku firing for well over a month. I knew she wasn't going to go to CCACA in Davis and so was willing to sacrifice her to the raku kiln and hey. She made it!

Made with IMCO sculpture 412, underglaze black and red , low fire western red glaze a white crackle raku glaze. You can see there is a bit of blistering - we fired it long enough, I think it's a glaze incompatibility? I was worried her head piece wouldn't make it - I thinned it out so much compared to the relative thickness of her head and neck - but it worked! 412 RULES!

Funny how when you make something and put it aside for a while you have to reacquaint yourself with it; I find it's easier to do some critical thinking about what worked, what didn't, how to take that forward.

This one was also a face transplant; I had made a sculpture where I learned the hard way about the neck thickness. I built some ridiculous cantilevered head gear and clunk,,,,,head fell off! I really liked her face so I "surgically" removed, hacked, more like, it with a handy xacto and gave it another go.

flowers in my yard

2011-05-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

this year has been a bumper year - the flowers in my yard are OUT OF CONTROL - which is A-OK with me...but so are the weeds, which makes my back hurt thinking about it.

I cannot express the pink-i-ness of the pink flowers - absolutely breathtaking!

Happy Friday !
have a super weekend.

we're back!!

2011-05-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

I am re-posting about the latest piece of work (ha!) because my earlier post went down in flames as blogger was on the blink over night....it happens. I still love you blogger!!

So, here's a few shots over the build up process. I have slipped her up and need to do some additional detail carving and cleaning before she dry.....'long time'

This was started before I left for the Davis conference a few weeks ago - I came back and started up with her again and wasn't feeling to great about it, but last night I got back into it. Oh, highs and lows of not having a direction and being a willing slave to spontaneity!

I'm thinking of getting some lithium carb glazes together for this girl.

another one...

2011-05-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

Working on this right now.

It was started a couple weeks ago and then Davis happened and the post Davis happened and work hell and fourth & clay weekend....and finally I got her back out of the damp room and found myself stuck and unprepared. I just did stuff anyway. And when I got a little neurotic about it; I thought of what Ira Glass said about making A LOT of work. I decided it was ALL practice - so here it is - in progress. Honestly, I have no clear picture of what I'm doing, or trying to say, or where I want to go with this one.

"Nobody tells this to people...

2011-05-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

via Sara Paloma via Putthison.com

I really like this....a lot!

working back and catching up...

2011-05-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

gallery front at opening time!

Josie's new work!

One of my vases with calla's from my front yard.

How fabulous are Lynn Landor's pieces!

Sharon Virtue work

Christa's table

Josie

Whitney's table

Sharon, Sarah Gregory (in background) Dana Zed and Rae

The Fourth&Clay Vase Invitational was this last weekend. Friday night opening party was good times - thank god they have a couch in their studio - it was nice to talk to whoever popped by for a sit down! The gallery front had the firsts and in the studio working space behind were tables with incredible deals on seconds from many of the participating artists. I bought so much work, I think that even if I sell all my vases - I still may not break even !

I had a great conversation with Sara Paloma - whose work you may be very familiar with -she is a wildly talented and successful working ceramic artist. We talked about about working a full time job vs. doing clay full time. I have a lot of friends who make their living as artists and over the years we've often talked about the particular challenges for each situation; I have a full time job and that has it's challenges. The main one being it's a time suck. Many of my friends have been doing art as a living for so long it's a lifestyle for them. They couldn't imagine working in an office; I can't believe I work in an office, so we may be even there ;)

I suppose working a job where I have steady income but have less time to devote to my creative life is a lifestyle too. I've often tortured myself over the idea of doing art for a living, but I've always chosen to work. Talk is cheap, eh! Must be that unglamorous practicality in me.

Recently, I've began to feel more content with my situation; the reality that I like to have a job that pays for my insurance, phone, Internet, rent! I have to balance and manage my time in as organized a manner as possible where my art is concerned because I simply don't have much.

Anyway, I go on....I think it's a valuable discussion and I thank Sara for a good conversation on the subject and I'd welcome comments, if anyone has any about the subject.

Participants at the show:
Christa Assad
Rae Dunn
Josie Jurczenia
Sara Paloma
Sarah Gregory
Lynn Landor
Whitney Smith
Sharon Virtue
Mary Mar Keenen

alwyn o'brien

2011-05-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

Uh,,,,,trying to contain myself; this stuff is making me want to leave work right now and get in the studio....
I LOVE it. So, after Davis, and seeing sooooo much work; I had some time to think about what is it that I would say is a direction for me, what am I trying to convey. It's this; something old, something new and something altogether modern and still handmade! There is such an appeal to me to pull in the past, a nostalgic flavor and mix it all around with something very new and modern - even design-y.

I am not presuming that I've gotten there by any stretch but that is where I want to go...actually, I want to LIVE there!

So, in doing some searching for Alwyn; I found THIS! I recently made some plaster 'chips', I've been carving designs and rolling out on them and I really find I like the process a lot and want to explore further. I'm so stoked to see this on the next level. So inspirational. holy crap!!!!

dahlaus is a nice blog too! check it out.

I could not find a website for Alwyn O'Brien
here are some links:
Canadian Clay Symposium
James Harris Gallery
Visual Art Source

CCACA part 1

2011-05-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

amber aguirre head - I bought for myself!
david Kuraoka "mango"
michelle gregor
michelle gregor
don reitz
student at Humbolt show - Annakatrin Kraus, "Birds of the Feather Flock Together" (thank you Jesse LU!)
Joe Mariscal, San Joaquin Delta College (thank you Rosalinda!)

CCACA is a big event and it's all over town - so lots of walking, walking, waaalllkeeeeng, hither and yon - my feet hurt enough for me to have found Shuz of Davis and bought some super ugly if sensible shoes. A ton of work to look at, and then look at again. I have more shots and when I have more time to write; I'll tell you all about it. Had dinner with Jesse Lu from "Mudbucket"; I'm sure she'll be posting about the show soon...

dogs were big - seems like people are making dogs right now! and michelle gregor stole the show - hands down. Incredible installation at the Pence, a great talk by michelle.

good stuff....more to come.

Skyline College show at Davis

2011-04-25T07:50:00.000-07:00

Next weekend is the California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Arts in Davis. Tiffany Schmierer will be putting together a show of her students' wonderful artwork from Skyline College. I'm one of them...

The opening will be Friday night!

For more information go to the John Natsoulas gallery website at:www.natsoulas.com/html/ccaca

Please join us if you can!

Ophelia

2011-04-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

photos: tiffany schmierer. thank you tiffany!

What's in a name?

2011-04-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Here's No. 3 (after I put on the glaze - so we're looking through the purple haze).

Of course, this one has no name. I never know what to call anything; it's one of my stuck places, not unlike pricing work - I feel like the mouse trying to find the cheese bit in a maze when someone asks, how much?
I tend to like "untitled", it has become my default. This one asking me for a title not to be nameless.

It's friday; deadlines approach. time for drinks.

today

2011-04-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said:

“Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

source: understandtheuniverse

one for CCACA

2011-04-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

this is one of two of my pieces going in the Skyline Ceramics Department Show at CCACA. The other one is in the kiln, as I write. Nothing like waiting to the last minute, in clay time.

The California Conference for the advancement of Ceramic Art is a fun, if intense, collective of ceramic shows that virtually takes over the town of Davis, CA (April 28th thru May 1st). As we are nearing d-day in trying to organize and get ready; it's all about racing around getting pieces done, photographing them, building and painting new pedestals, packing and organizing or the show. The circus is going on the road! It really is a lights, camera, action situation. It's fun,,,and exhausting! but mostly fun. It's not often you can hang out with a "town" full of ceramic people, see old friends and make some new ones. We are planning a blogger happy hour on Saturday - so any bloggers out there attending, please leave a comment so we can get you in.

A lot of work goes into setting up the show. Tiffany Schmierer is the leader of the pack. And a good leader at that. Tiffany runs of the Ceramics Department at Skyline and spearhead's the massive efforts that go into making this possible - I've written about her many times. She is a pleasure to work with and I feel lucky to be a part of the team of people involved in putting on the show for Skyline. We will be sharing space this year with Foothill College and Merritt College! more on this soon...

Wish us luck!

Heroes

2011-04-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Tim Hetherington was killed in Libya yesterday as well as photo-journalist Chris Hondros, who died of his injuries after the incident. If you have not watched RESTREPO - I highly recommend it. Hetherington made the documentary film along side Sebastian Junger. A remarkable and moving film that shows the nuance and complexities of war. He lived an extraordinary life and told extraordinary stories.

I'm moved by his loss and my thoughts are on all of those 'out there' - lives on the line each moment of each day doing the tough work. We've lost a powerful visual voice.

just found this: Tim Hetherington's last documentary short

Amanda Michelle Smith Lynch

2011-04-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

amanda michelle smith lynch - it's mindboggling and I can't take my eyes off of her work.

beautiful and inspiring!

Art in a Box via the Compound Gallery

2011-04-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

Check out the Art in a Box movement via The Compound Gallery. Clever, clever stuff!
Right now they are doing a Subscription Giveaway! go HERE

Ben Carter

2011-04-14T08:21:00.000-07:00

I've seen and admired Ben Carter's work on many of my blog-spherical trips mining the ceramic world. This dogwood painted platter has always stuck out in my mind. His particular aesthetic really hits the mark for me. It's beautiful, sensual and also solidly functional. I would really like to get a piece of his one day.

I just spent all morning discovering Ben's blog "Tales of a Red Clay Rambler" (thank you Martina Lantin) - it's energetic, insightful and informative - I found it very inspriational!

support your "local" clay blogger!!

relief

2011-04-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

more vases I'm making for a couple upcoming events; I've been using a carved plaster design to get the initial relief which I then painstakingly carve in around to enhance the outline of the relief....I say painstakingly, but I actually find that I really enjoy it. It's very meditative to sit for hours and concentrate on drawing. my neck hurts, but hey, no pain no gain!

I am trying some raised on raised appliqued areas as well - over the carving with their own relief patterns.

anyway, having some fun even though I'm staring down some deadlines!

CCACA is coming up and the Vase show at Fourth & Clay!

vases...and flowers

2011-04-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

some new vases recently made and the flowers hiding in plain sight in the alley at Ruby's Clay Studio this weekend! I don't know what kind of lily's they are - actually, I'm guessing lily's. beautiful!

Eye Candy

2011-04-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

ideal world;art and gum. Look, I've said before I have a gum "problem"

Check out some genius new work from Jason Bige Burnett in collaboration with printmaker Eleanor Annand
at Crimson Laurel Gallery!
all this Via Clay Club & Crimson Laurel Gallery
Jason Bige Burnett

keys

2011-04-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

I bought these keys for a friend at the alameda flea market...I keep wondering what the doors/locks look like?

I like the idea of stories about keys...mysteries and secrets.

Susannah Israel Workshop/Solo Exhibition at Black Bean

2011-04-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

There is three parts to this post:

Black Bean Studio is an amazing studio space. It's cavernous. The scale, impressive. The set up, envious! Ruben and Will are instant friends - 5 mins (I'm not joking) after walking in the door and you feel like you've come home. The air is filled with excitement and energy,,,,and did I mention space! glorious space! Big high ceilings, enough of everything, large garage doors, plenty of light, massive work tables....and a beautifully appointed, well designed gallery space!!

Susannah's work: If you can see it; I am strongly suggesting you get to Black Bean! If possible; I assure you it's worth the trip. The work is so photogenic as you can easily see (I say nothing of photographic skills; I have none). The work speaks for itself. Susannah has work in private and public collections all over the world. The work deserves to be seen up close, studied - though photogenic, pictures do them little justice. There is a vast landscape over these pieces that to be fair to them required close attention. Each piece an invitation to a long conversation with the viewer. I've seen a piece here and there of Susannah's, but never this much work in one place. I wanted to hang out with them, pull up a chair, get to know them, hear stories about their families and friends - much like I feel when I read a real good book. The thing that comes closes to the surface for me is a deep compassion and empathetic nod to living in and experiencing this world. They are rooted in real life. compelling, really.

The workshop:

Susannah built this "person on a chair in a boat" in the course the the 8 hour workshop - a feat of clay, engineering & stamina! I am only posting a smattering of the pictures I took. Because I'm a very visual learner, a concentrated amount of time watching someone work is a real gift. There are so many nuances you can pick up on, so much information that happens between the lines, things unsaid that cannot be discussed or described but are experienced by everyone in the room. Susannah is very forthcoming about everything she does. The real gift was her time - being allowed a window into her practice, her giving us so much time to watch and observe.

One of the most enjoyable parts of the day was Susannah walking through the gallery and talking about each of the pieces; she answered all questions about surface, form, design, meaning, anything anyone wanted to know.

it was great to spend some time with Susannah, watch & learn, and get to know her a little better.
It was a real pleasure discovering Black Bean and meeting Ruben and Will! Visit them if you can.

ai weiwei's disappearance

2011-04-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

WTF? So France and Germany think it's important enough to ring up China - What about our administration?

BBC article
Jonathan Jones
Guardian UK

Josh Keyes inspiration

2011-04-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

I'm a HUGE Josh Keyes fan; definitely check out his website; his sketchbook page is a wonder!

His work is,,,,well, George Melrod put it pretty succinctly:

“Few contemporary artists portray animals with the empathy of Josh Keyes. At once meticulous and fantastic, poignant and absurd, Keyes’ carefully crafted drawings and paintings depict animals isolated dramatically in fragments of their natural environment, overrun with shards of man-made artifice and debris. Seemingly lost and stranded in their dreamlike stage sets, they look like characters in some existential drama written by a modern-day environmentalist Samuel Beckett.”
[George Melrod, Art Ltd West Coast Art and Design]

JoshKeyes.net

hello Embryo

2011-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

a young girl named Holly sits next to me at studio, a little tiny thing, she has a fondness for animae creatures and obviously hello kitty. She fashioned this umbilical hello kitty and though we all hemmed and hawed about how creepy gross it is - secretly we all love the thing.

and this is my no. 3; I've completed the building part. I had a lot of trouble with this one - in the early stages her head kept falling back and breaking the neck; I finally cut off her head and re-attached with some serious gusto -now she's sporting a powerlifters' neck!

Work in progress

2011-03-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

a few pieces in varying stages of process. I've done a little figurative work, a little, and I've some ideas about where I'd like to take this; only I'm not sure exactly where that is and how to get there just yet - so a lot of these early on pieces are me trying to find my way. It's also been a process of learning 'clay engineering'. I like that part a lot - learning how to build and problem solve to get to your target. and defy gravity! ha!

pics taken with my new camera! yay. I don't have a clue yet how to use the thing, but I'm learning bits here and there. I can't say much for my photographic talents except the pictures are better than an iPhone!

High Five to Jesse's MudBucket!

2011-03-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite blogs "Jesse Lu's Mudbucket" got a mention in an article in Clay Times! NICE! Jesse is so energetic and her blog is a real inspiration! Actually, there was a list of blogs sited in the article - Mudbucket being one of them. Check out the post here and if you haven't been following Jesse's blog - get on that.

It's nice to be recognized! Congrats to Jesse Lu! It's also great that more and more blogs are becoming more mainstream and inspiring new blogs to pop up. A couple new ones to check out are Jennifer Brazelton's "Bumpy & Shiny" and Michelle Gregor's new blog "Windytree"

Brian Kakas

2011-03-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

I keep staring at that first picture. This scale feels like an altered reality, maybe I'm tired today. I find this work interesting in how it reads construction - but it has organic flow and movement darting in and out of a very constrained presence. Interesting. And it's got this underground glorified plumbing feel to me (that's not a bad thing). What lies beneath...it's mysterious.

liking it!

Brian Kakas

New vases

2011-03-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

I made a few new vases this weekend. I wanted to try out some ideas; so I made a small bunch to work out whether the ideas were worthwhile. I gave the tar paper a go with the larger piece and it works like a champ!

In my sculptural world right now, I'm working on heads that will have flowers and bits in their hair, so I'm all about flower decor right now. Spring?, what can I say. And just in time for Mother's Day. I have a sale in the next few weeks I need to make some work for and then CCACA and then a Vase show at Fourth & Clay. Feeling the pressure right now.

You know me

2011-03-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

AKAR's 2011 Yunomi Invitational is up and the little beauties are literally going like hotcakes....

GO. quick!

Ruan Hoffman

2011-03-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

Ruan Hoffman is a genius. Truly. To take the simple 'pot', the safety of the ceramic medium and so deftly create a narrative that draws you completely in - total command, total power - brilliant!

would love to see the show in NY!

Ruan Hoffman

the fabulousness of Kathy Ruttenberg

2011-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

I remember Kathy's work at Natsoulas CCACA 2010 - I have never forgotten those pieces. All shots per Kathy's beautiful website; I hight recommend a visit. I've only pulled out a tiny drop of what she has for you to see.

Very inspiring work; like a breath of fresh air!!

Kathy Ruttenberg

How to compose popular songs that will sell

2011-03-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

he's back.......thank god. So, so,,,,,,,,so good. his voice a salve.
bob geldof on his return to music - wsj blog.

The Ornamentalist

2011-03-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

I follow a great blog called The Ornamentalist written by Lynn Rutter an ornamental painter located in San Francisco.

She did a post today about the doors of Prague. I had to share. I love Prague and I love doors, of all shapes an sizes from rickety to beautiful to vain-glorious.

Swing. Slam. Open. Close. Who's at the door? the metaphoric genius of the simple door...however, there is nothing simple about the doors of Prague. The Europeans have certainly mastered "the door' beyond all measure.

PUBLIC GLASS Artists and Artisans Auction 2011

2011-03-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

below is another picture of Oben Abright's work in the poster...impressive, indeed!
Great event, great work, great cause. Public Glass is a dynamic local studio!

I've been to a few of the Hot Glass/Cold Beer demo events over the years. These are usually weekend evening events where they open up the studio and have visiting artists come in and do what always turns out to be glass 'performance' art. There is an entry fee to get in and that includes choosing a hand blown glass made by many of the artists in the studio that you keep. There is beer, food, music, art and if you can get a good spot, the place is packed, there is molten glass being pulled and moved through the crowds being turned into some glass art before your eyes and the energy in the studio is exciting and passionate!

definitely a good night out.

Public Glass

Susannah Israel Workshop/Solo Exhibition at Black Bean

2011-03-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Susannah Israel; New Work Solo Exhibition and Workshop at Black Bean Studio

Artist Lecture and Workshop, Saturday April 2 9:00am - 5:00pm

Exhibition Show Opening: Saturday, April 2 6:30 - 9:30pm

Black Bean Studio

561 Emory Street

San Jose, CA 95110

408.462.5757

Susannah Israel website

I find Susannah's work very moving. When I look at it, study it, take it in; every single time, I am transported.

If you are within a doable distance; if not attending the workshop - please make a point to see her work.

Here's the other neat-O thing; Black Bean Ceramic Studio is relatively new - I've not heard of it to now - I love checking out new clay enclaves !

New head and a bit of good news

2011-03-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a new mega hair...and very "in progress"
I'm not even sure of the direction I'm going in with this one yet...which is the fun and exasperating at the same time.

Oh, Hey, GOOD NEWS! well, good news for my blog pals - I finally got a 'real' camera (though you wouldn't be able to tell from these pictures - taken in the damp room at 10 last night with my iPhone!).

The big idea: picture quality will hopefully improve by a 100 miles. And, let me say thanks to everyone who continue to visit my blog, tolerating my craptastic iPhone pictures! In an effort to sharpen up my blog (and take nice pics on my trip to Ireland this year ) I've finally graduated to an entry level DSLR! woo! yeah! hoo!

this ought to be good!

My upcoming events

2011-03-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

Michelle Gregor is doing a talk at CCACA this year.

In order of appearance:

Clay Creations 2nd Annual Open Studio - April 15 7-10pm (party time!)
& Sat April 16 Studio Pottery Sale 10am -5pm

CCACA in Davis - I've been working on the mega heads & hairdos for this show...hoping one of them fits the bill! Super exciting lineup this year of artists demos, talks and shows.

Fourth & Clay Mother's Day Vase Show/Seconds Sale - I was invited to participate in this and I'm sure it will be a packed as the Cup Invitational was in December.

uh, I need to get to work!

Handmade for Japan

2011-03-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Handmade for Japan article from NYT Mag

Syd Carpenter

2011-03-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

I am in awe. Visit Syd's website HERE - you'll find more pictures of her work.
I believe she will be at NCECA this year doing a demo or a talk - you lucky NCECA attenders!

if you want to read about the earthquake/tsunami...read this

2011-03-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Euan Craig's Blog

get the tissues out.

Jay Mercado Sketch Exhibit

2011-03-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

Jay Mercado opened his studio this last Saturday to showcase some of his sketches from the daily sketch ritual he has been doing for over ten years. It was fantastic! There was an ocean of small sketches hung on the wall in a collage - a collage that spanned over a decade. Most work is on 3x5 plain white cards, but some were on large format tickets, small round pieces of paper, cardboard paper, even paint chip samples (some of my favorites) many black and white, some with splashes of color. Each a tiny world; the detail staggering. Each represents a morning somewhere in Jay's history, representing a place, thoughts, feelings, emotion - a personal journey. Ask Jay about a particular drawing and he'll tell you where he was and what was happening in his life - often he'll laugh to himself remembering pieces of the memory he wants to keep to himself.

Around his studio is evidence of how much sketching is part of his connection to his work and life. It's so inspiring; really inspiring. Jay will tell you it's a meditation; I agree. It roots you in your life. Drawing is so much about looking at something, and looking again. Some people write, Jay writes in vignettes that tell a 1000 stories.

Every time I have every talked with Jay and Teresa I leave energized and inspired. The studio was buzzing.

Jay is going to open again this coming Saturday - Go check out the show, meet and talk with Jay and Teresa and of course, have a cookie!

MORE INFO:
Jay Mercado
Sketch Show Encore

toshiko takaezu

2011-03-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

toshiko takaezu passed away yesterday in Hawaii - a giant in the ceramic world!

the earth in bloom
a video interview

re:Union show - Tiffany Schmierer: Karie Hovey: Bohdanna Kesala

2011-03-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

Mark your calendars folks
OPENING: Saturday March 26 7-10pm
Exhibition open March 23 - 30

This will be a feast for the eyes.

Susan O'Byrne

2011-03-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

I've been reading some of the million clay blogs I follow and seeing Susan O'Byrne pop up re: Ceramic Art London recently. Here are a few pics from her website - isn't this work amazing! I just love the paws, the surface, that for me, references landscapes, maps, but conjures torn paper, collage and textiles. Brilliant!

visit her website for more
Susan O'Byrne

more hair madness

2011-03-09T11:09:00.000-08:00

oh, the smell of Aquanet in the morning!

paper cut project - loving!
michael lucero
misty gamble
wacky model - unknown source
christina cordova

Speaking of Studio Time...

2011-03-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

On Saturday March 12th from 10am-5pm Jay will be opening his studio displaying a whole big bunch of his sketches showcasing his morning sketch ritual.

from Jay "I like to sketch because it grounds me in the moment. It's a disciplined observation. It's a meditation. It's a visual journal. It's a time for the mind to go quiet. Sketching provides an inner oasis as I begin each creative day".

Here's the Super FUN part:

From 10am-11am Jay will be holding an informal super-mini-sketching-semi-workshop/doodle session for anyone interested in becoming a sketcher. RSVP por favor for this session over at his blog The OPEN DRAWER - leave a comment!

drop in, meet Jay, see his beautiful studio and check out his world and make a sketch...!

Studio Time

2011-03-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

Friday night Raku night at Clay Creations was a blast~!
Stay tuned for information about an upcoming Raku workshop with Jane McDonald in May. Jane will do a 3 hour demo and then we will be Raku firing after that.

I got a lot done in the studio this last few days.
Moving along on the big hair piece - she was mostly completed and slipped up. And this last pic is a little piece was a maquette I made that I'm pretty happy with.

yay!

a few big hair inspriations

2011-03-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

I've been spending literally hours looking at imagery to find some good matches to help me fully form the ideas in my head about a series of sculpture work I'd like to make. All images; random image searched - from a multitude of sites.

I was drawn to historical clothing books and research(the V&A continues to draw me in), the portraiture of Gainsborough, Reynolds, Copley, historic sculpture & hair & fashion sites, not to mention 20th century photographers, Beaton, Horst, Hoynigen-Huene, Lartigue- just funny where I find myself some times. Whatever works, right?

Where does your inspiration come from?

scaling up

2011-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

After a long break from sculpture; I'm back at it and trying to scale up on some pieces. It's all about the hair. When I was in high school; I had a bit of big hair myself...nicknames? Frober, fro for short, Sheera. It didn't help that I'd attempt to straighten it with a hair dryer of all things which would make it look like I was standing in the static machine. Oh, the tragedies of high school styling in the 80's. One favorite pass time in my public educational classrooms was the 'kids' spending hours to see how many pencils they could hide in my hair..........16!

Anyway - I am thinking big hair, people....go big or go home!

The interesting thing in this process has been engineering the build. It's been a good learning curve. I need to take more pics of the process as I go along....and work on my faces.

size: 25" in height on average at this point. I'm using 412 Sculpture mix, with an eye to moving to porcelain.

Sharon Virtue "Painting with Clay" Workshop

2011-03-01T08:53:00.000-08:00

Sharon Virtue did her thing at Clay Creations over the weekend. A three (and a little bit) hour workshop complete with inspirational slide show.

Sharon teaches at Ruby's Clay Studio in San Francisco and has been teaching 12 or more years doing clay for near 20, but this was her first workshop demonstrating her own process. I've written about Sharon here many times - I was a student of hers for a couple years and I'm a big fan, friend, and supporter of her work. The workshop was that of a pro. Sharon had a rapt audience; everyone would have stayed as long over the three hours as she wanted to go - they were soaking it up.

Couple points: Arm yourself with knowledge of color theory - you can see Sharon's work is so much about color relationships - and the other BIG point was MAKE TEST TILES. Everyone in the room moaned and groaned - the dreaded test tile. The test tile for Sharon is the backbone of her work. If you don't have a practice of making them; ya might wanna think about starting....
Keep a source book. I do this. Well, this blog is a source book. Sharon pointed out that she is so inspired by so many things that we could have spent 40 hours on the slide show. I get that. So, find a way to hang on to imagery, anything that inspires - hang it up in your studio, create a binder, sketchbook.

Tools: one of the most exciting things at workshops or in studios, for me at least, is the "tool box". I am fascinated by the artist's tool box. As with potters who do surface decoration - Sharon's arsenal of tools is vast and not limited to clay tools. She has a collection of decorative stamps, bought, made with clay, latex, paper. Sharon will take a commercial stamp and remove the wood back to have some flexibility for her hand built and thrown forms.

Sharon is doing a two day intensive "Painting with Clay" at Sonoma Community Center this weekend.

Picture: see- I'm dreaming of making test tiles!

Couple more things: firing low fire clay to cone 2 bisque and firing low fire glaze to 07! 07 gives the reds and oranges brilliance and any translucents that bubble at 05/06 will lay down beautifully at 07.

(R-L) me, Margaret Tassi (owner of Clay Creations Studio) and Sharon.

Also - head over to the super awesome MUDBUCKET blog- JesseLu attended as well and has a post up about the workshop!

Julia Galloway Workshop in Walnut Creek

2011-02-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

Julia Galloway is doing a workshop on Sat, May 21 hosted by the Walnut Creek Clay Arts Guild.

Description:
Julia Galloway, Director of the University of Montana School of Art, will be making and decorating pottery. She will discuss pottery forms, wheel throwing and altered forms, slip surfaces, cone 6 glazing, idea development and historical influence. Enjoy a slide show about Julia's work and a talk about historical pottery and how ideas have developed over time. Big talkers, shy potters and technique seekers all welcome! Doors open at 9am. Bring a potluck item to share for lunch. Cosponsored by the Walnut Creek Clay Arts Guild, Association of Clay and Glass Artists and Trax Gallery.

Go HERE to register or call (925) 943-5858

Richard Slee

2011-02-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

Richard Slee.com
It's nice that "Slee is one of Britain's most important contemporary ceramic artists. His work attempts to challenge every conventional notion of that genre, transcending its utilitarian roots whilst also sidestepping the self indulgent aspects of the studio tradition which became ubiquitous in the late twentieth century."

In the past, Slee has messed with the cultural, historic and vernacular possibilities of the ceramic object, using puns, humour and his vast array of craft skills to transform the ordinary into the surprising.

"From Utility to Futility" at theV&A
Watch the vids with Greyson Perry - interesting commentary.

Fetish Ghost's Secret Studio and Beatrice Wood

2011-02-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

GO HERE and watch.................beautiful!

Workshop with Forrest Lesch Middleton at Fourth & Clay

2011-02-14T09:42:00.000-08:00

Fourth & Clay hosted their third workshop with Forrest Lesch Middleton. It was a packed house. standing room only. and no surprise. For anyone who has seen Forrest's work, arguably some of the most original, sophisticated, stylistic, articulate work out there - being able to watch and learn from him was a great opportunity.

People attend workshops for different reasons, each specific to whatever it is they are looking for to inform their work, for me, it was about the screen printing process. I'm not a thrower and everything Forrest does is on the wheel. But, since I took a screen printing class last fall, I've done nothing with it; I wanted to learn more about that part of his process.

I first saw Forrest's work last year at the ACGA Show at the CCACA show in Davis, then at the ACGA Clay and Glass show (a great show) in Palo Alto last June.

Forrest teaches all over the Bay Area including: Santa Rosa Jr. College, SF City College, Solano Co College, CCA in Oakland. He is also director of the ceramic program at Sonoma Community Center and recently created and manages an artist-in-residence program there, so he has a philosophy of sharing information and an openness in his process. Generosity in the clay community continues to impress and inspire me.

This workshop was 6 hours long - it's impossible for me to cover all of it.

One thing about Forrest's work; it's so unique and so endemic to him and the arc of his ceramic career - there are so many layers, years and hours that inform his work the thing to focus on is his knowledge and experience as a teacher. There is a dearth of information about clay, printing, design, firing, chemistry, information, slip recipes, even photoshop.

The gift of the workshop for me were the magic words: Ryonet.com
Ryonet - the place that you can get any screen printing supplies you could possibly need and GET THIS - they will expose your screens for you with your images on them! THAT made my week!

I highly recommend taking workshops or signing up for clay class with Forrest - find out where he's teaching - take advantage of it. I am doing little justice to the resonance and depth of his experience and here's the thing; he's also one of the nicest, coolest guys you'll ever meet!

There is a TWO -DAY Workshop he is teaching at Sonoma Community College next weekend.
Feb 19-20 hands on with the screen printing process for both thrown and hand built work.
Go HERE for more information

Bay Area Workshops coming up

2011-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

I've already signed up!! If you're in the Bay Area - take advantage of these two fabulous workshops.

Carol Schwartz Sculpture

2011-02-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Carol Schwartz sculpts in wood. For me, the style and scale is a reference to Akio Takamori and Viola Frey, don't you think? Big, bold and strong and yet there's an elegance toward gestural storytelling.

Turns out Carol once lived in San Francisco and worked on the design for the BART signage. I wonder if Carol ever met Viola?

Visit Carol's website; many more beautiful pictures and info.

The AUCTION is LIVE

2011-02-03T11:25:00.000-08:00

GO here

Groundhogese

2011-02-02T10:53:00.000-08:00

photo courtesy
Punxsutawney Phil lore

Zoological data suggests that groundhogs have a average lifespan of 10 years in captivity and 6 years in the wild, with a maximum lifespan of 14 years in captivity documented.^[3]Punxsutawney Phil fans say that there is only one Phil (all the other groundhog weathermen are impostors), and that he has made weather prognostications for over 121 years as of 2011. They say that every summer, Phil is fed a sip of the mysterious Groundhog Punch, which magically lengthens his life for seven years. This is done by Inner Circle members.^[4] According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after making the prediction, speaks to the Club President in "Groundhogese", which only the Inner Circle appear to understand, and then his prediction is translated for the entire world.

how's that for creative, eh?

Punxsutawney Phil has weighed in; Spring is coming fast! I'm thinking the East Coast won't mind!

Let's not forget the imposter: Staten Island Chuck

...oh and yeah, it may be my birthday, but I'm not part of the "inner circle" and I don't drink any groundhog punch - all sounding a tad bit druid-y.