Cat on a Bird

I unloaded a kiln this morning, thank God I have my dear friend Betty at the Craft Gallery. She's been doing my firings since we moved. Reason: I haven't been able to open the prehistoric garage door and we need a new one. Replacing it is on my long list of things to do. I refuse to fire the kiln without the garage door being open. I supposed I could roll the kiln out doors beside the house, but that would mean keeping a door another door open with a cord running through it. Then I'd have to wait for the kiln to cool before wheeling it in and I am not cool leaving a kiln full of work outside my house.

Can you imagine waking up in the morning to find an empty kiln? Me neither. Probably wouldn't happen but... I am glad to have Betty at the Craft Gallery.

On the Cover: Piedmont Craftsmen Newsletter

I received the newsletter from Piedmont Craftsmen the other day and found my little salt and pepper shakers were on the cover! Way too cool. It was one of those experiences where you open a piece of mail and you're looking at it and saying huh that looks familiar and then "ding dong" the light switches on! Oh, it's my work. There is another small piece and write up on the inside but I am only including the cover. 

I was far too lazy to photoshop the creases from the picture I posted with this entry. (it's a folding mailer) Actually, now that I mention it I have been far too lazy to do much of anything the past couple of weeks. I think I burned myself out over spring break. Or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

There are actually two salt and pepper shakers sitting on my studio table. One has no arms, not because I am trying something new or different. It's because yours truly was too lazy to add arms before she got too dry. But who knows if I like the way they turn out I might make more. 

From Too Big to Ta Da!

I just got back from the Craft Gallery where the ever Lovely Betty Wilson fired my too big piece. I think the title will stay King Richard. She is a big girl measuring about 23 inches from head to toe and on the leash is King Richard the bird who isn't sure what he is. Part grackle (one of my FAVORITE birds), the red of a cardinal, part crow, part Labrador.

 Little Chrissy my kiln is only 18 inches high and I tried just about everything to make the large figure fit. Even took the bottom shelf out, leaned her sideways (the figure not the kiln). It was a no go and not meant to be. So thank you Betty. If you're a ceramic artist in Palm Beach County... go to Betty Wilson at the Craft Gallery for supplies and firing. Love you Betty.

I am still debating where to show her. The options; at Piedmont Craftsmen Things with Wings show, or over at Clay Glass Metal Stone gallery. I actually have a table full of art again, so you'll know I will be firing little Chrissy again this weekend. Maybe I'll get all of the stuff sorted that didn't fit in the firing this weekend.

Article in Contact Magazine

The article in Contact Magazine is hot off the presses. If you are interested in reading a bit about my art visit this link: http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/x12736.xml You can download a high res pdf/e-version of the entire magazine. CRM did a lovely job with the layout. Thanks to Mark Udry and Kari McCormick and the rest of the team.

I Painted My Studio

Well I've done it again. I painted my studio yet again. I think this makes it 5 times in just over 2 years! Ha! But hey it's my sanctuary, it's my studio. A place that reflects the inner me (painted 5 times in 2 years... I think that makes the inner me a total wack-a-doodle).

Anyhow, here is a shot I took yesterday afternoon when I got in from work. I ran to the studio (to appreciate the new paint) and opened the blinds and the sun was just dazzling on the freshly painted coral colored walls (Valspar: Wet Coral is the actual color). And my little sculpture looked so dramatic with the light falling on it. The piece is unfinished. She is green (unfired) and I haven't titled her yet. While building her I kept thinking of the princess and the pea.I must google it because I can't remember anything other than the girl slept on a stack of mattresses and felt a tiny pea underneath it all.(or at least that sounds right).

If you get stuck for ideas, reflect your favorite childhood stories and illustrate them in whatever way you can. I'll post more images when the work is fired.

My Studio Shelf

Somebody recently posed the question, "do you wear anything special, lucky or magical while making art?" You know you hear stories about baseball players who wear special underwear or socks during important games. And it got me thinking for all of my 'out there woo woo' thoughts I don't do anything like that. There is no special apron or lucky charm. I do have a paring knife that I use 90% of the time and it's been my primary sculpting tool for almost 20 years but I think I could hit a grocery store and find another one if I had to.

I do know that I like a clean studio before I start to work. It's like I can't focus without everything in order.

The question did make me realize that I like surrounding myself with things that I find visually appealing. Here is an image the work table in my studio and a more detailed view of my shelf. There is a small portrait I painted of Jody, a small silver shrine I bought at the Tate Britain, a bird's nest my sister Virginia sent me. Just bits and pieces that make me think.

So is there anything you do when you prepare to work in your studio? Or are you like me and just do a happy dance because you get to make things?