Sometimes the best way to understand why and artist creates what they do, is to see what inspires them. You then have a better understanding of their work. So I thought I would share with you some of my sketches while working out design ideas.
Clearly I still have to work on my photography skills…..
It has been so much fun teaching class this session. I had a great group of students, who were all new to clay and were unaware of the challenges ahead. Our motto was “don’t get attached”. Soon the students realized what was meant by that. We all get so excited by taking on a new challenge, and we hope the pieces come out really well. We want to keep each and every piece we make, whether it is jewelry, woodworking, weaving or clay. It takes time to look back at our work and be truly objective….
Working with clay is so rewarding and the possibilities seem endless. But we learn quite quickly that there are several stages to making a vessel, and at each step, a possibility for failure. In our class most of the students chose to keep every piece, as they are their first pieces. We learned to adapt and make changes to the piece when a mishap occured, trying to make it a tad more pleasing to look at. This may seem like cheating, but there are skills learned while improvising.
Take a look at these photos of the classes work.
Chocolate Swirl- glazed
I have recently wondered if there is such a thing as artist a.d.d.! I for one fall victom to this possible affliction. I wouldn’t call it a bad thing at all, as the results can be amazing. I have been experinenting with using 3 clay bodies to create one work. Porcelain, mid colored stoneware, and a black stoneware. Originally I was trying to find a way to make something in a vessel form, but found may way drifting into the land of pendants and ear rings. (this may be a result of jeweler envy). Below are two examples of Chocolate Swirl (named after a favorite ice-cream).
Chocolate Swirl - not glazed
Marbled slip
Marbled Slip
I had a pretty good glaze firing yesterday. My sgrafitto work and some new experiments came out great. I have done enough shows to be heard at least during each event..”I wish I was a jeweler” I am so envious of jewelers. Their work packs up into one or two boxes and is light weight, unlike pottery. So, I am trying my hand at making pendants. Some glazed, some are going into the rock tumbler for a different effect. So far, so good.
I am in no way implying that I am a jeweler, gosh no. Some of my best friends are jewelry makers. Silver smiths, beaders, and metal clay artists. I have such respect for what they do, and I love their work…I could never imagine myself creating such delicate work.
My pendants will most likely be just that…pendants, that I can put a jump ring and a cord through, and hope they look alright.
new work headed for LNHC Littleton gallery
Cat and Nine Tails
First attempt at pendants and beads
This is my first post to the new web site… so exciting.
I thought I would start off by displaying a bowl that I am quite proud of. The Lexington Arts and Crafts Society, Lexington Ma, hosts the biennial State of Clay Exhibition, and this bowl was selected to be in the exhibit. Also, this bowl was part of the League of NH Craftsmen’s advertising campaign, in the May/June edition of Yankee Magazine.
Sgrafitto is the technique used in decorating this bowl.
