working back and catching up...

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

keys

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.

Jay Mercado Sketch Exhibit

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

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

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

This will be a feast for the eyes.  

A measure of success

Tday was a great success!  It started with a spectacular crispy clear walk at the beach with friends.  Thank god it was some pottery friends; they were dual-intervention against my "artistic neuroses driven brink of a meltdown.
Great dinner with family! Great second dinner where my gorgeous brother waltzed in with  a huge bowl of fresh caught cooked & marinated CRAB!  SO GOOD...even tiny pup wanted his share.  
the cup is one of the 2nd Gen cups; I'm finally getting close here to where I want to go with these.  
here's what on the horizon:


Madrigalli Market 
December 3rd-4th 
Historic Pedro Point Firehouse
Friday night reception 6-9pm |Sat 10-6
1227 Danman Ave
Pacifica, Ca


Holiday Sale at Clay Creations
December 4th & 5th 10am to 5pm.
2316 Palmetto Avenue
Pacifica,


Invitational Cup Show
OPENING Party Thursday, Dec 9th 
7-11pm
2370 4TH ST, BERKELEY, CA

THANK YOU Fetish Ghost!

Zygote - a million thanks - I love my new piece - it's a beauty!!  And thanks for my little pirate charm!
We'll be talking about that workshop for 2011 - I very much look forward to it.


cheers!
linda


ps: sorry the pic is a tad grainy - bad picture taker...

Fire

Here is the SFGATE article on the fire.  A friend of mine lost her house.  Her family is safe.

My heart is breaking for these people. Their lives will never be the same.
If you're at all interested in helping in any way you can go HERE

Tiffany Schmierer Show at Ruby's

Tiffany Schmierer showing new work
at Ruby's Clay Studio

Show Opening Reception
Saturday, Aug 28
5pm - 7pm


Show is up through Sep 8th

Ruby's Clay Studio
552 A Noe Street
San Francisco, CA

If you're anywhere in the neighborhood or even suburban to SF - think about attending this show opening; it will be a good one!!

number one

Clark Sorenson
Hand built urinals and sinks etc.  Clark also does a lot of work in glass!

Pee-break anyone? 

Forage SF Underground Market

SF Underground Market was conceived of by Iso Rabins (pictured above) in early December 2009. Frustrated by his inability to get a booth at legit farmers markets (to be in most farmers markets in SF you need to be certified as the primary producer of the food you sell, and since wild foraged food grows on its own, there is technically no producer), as well as amazed by the wealth of delicious professional quality food being made in Bay Area home kitchens.
The first market was held in a private home in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco, with 8 vendors, and about 200 attendees. Now at number three (at the time of this post) , It has grown to 47 vendors and over 1,200 people attending.

The SF Underground Market is an incubator. A place where budding businesses can get a leg up on their road to legitimacy.

ForageSF
SF Underground Market


sign up (for FREE) to get in and we'll see you there!

I LOVE this town!

Erin go Bragh!

Cheers Loves!

looking forward to my trip to the Fatherland this year!

Tedfest 2010

Art Mercado

Jay Mercado is super talented.  He also has a ridiculously fabulous studio space in San Francisco at 4754 California Street.  The studio is light filled, spacious, has an easy and inviting feel and tall tall ceilings.  I met up with him and his ever beautiful and lovely Teresa for a visit.  We talked about art, the sea, neighborhoods, people, beautiful places, donuts, the future, optimism in art, and an octopus.

I had a wonderful time sitting outside with the two of them in the sun on such a bright spring morning enjoying blue bottle coffee and having one of the best conversations I've had in a long time.

I came away feeling energized, excited and very inspired by Jay's plans for his work and his newly refreshed studio space.  I'll certainly post about it in the future. 

in the meantime... 

Jay also has a blog I highly recommend.

Keep him on your radar.

Jay Mercado Art

The Open Drawer

Barbara Vanderbeck

Barbara Vanderbeck is a friend of mine and an inspiration to me in so many ways; yet another great working artist of Ruby's Clay Studio in San Francisco.  It's always fabulous fun waiting for the next little bird to come to life in Barb's studio. 

Barb has a much anticipated show coming up at Ruby's of her new work - I have only seen one of her new piece in process. I'm excited to see the full collection of her new work.  I do know she's been working hard in her studio because I haven't had a peep out of her for some time!

The Show is called: "Two Steps off the Grid"
showcasing Barb's new ceramics and many of her new endeavors in collage painting!

Check out Barb's new website with more pictures and information here & here

Carol Wedemeyer

Carol Wedemeyer is an artist I know at Ruby's Clay Studio in SF.  I love Carol's work and the oceanic thematic in this narrative.  What really strikes me with this show is how it reads as a theatre set.   High drama on the high seas!

Carol's show is up at Ruby's until Feb 15.  Sorry about the grainy phone pics; I had to get these up.  There are many more pieces I did not post. 
Carole's Wedemeyer
Ruby's Clay Studio

The Pig & the Egg

This is the tiny pig; she is trying to figure out how to eat that egg. 

thanks Zan for sending me this pic; I remember that day and it's making me yearn for summer.

for the love of feets

these here are Angela's feets and that cute little tiny pup is her trusty sidekick Nora Benson.
You know I love feets pictures; at least I know these feet.


super pup wants a date with tiny pup...