My Dear Deer

Here is a piece just put onto Etsy. It's called My Dear. I crack up when I see the little expression on the deer's face. The girl is in her panties, wearing black knee high socks and rocking out with her pal. If the sculpture doesn't at least make you smile...

The wall sculpture is approximately 14 inches high and hand sculpted from low fire earthenware clay.


I am a very prolific artist and am constantly adding new pieces to Etsy. I hope you visit often and if you have any questions or comments feel free to send me a message.

Another Etsy

Another day and another phone call with my sister and after our conversation lots of ideas to explore in clay. (Watch for lots of animal companions). In the meantime thought I would share another piece that is available in my Etsy shop. This wall sculpture is called Think Think. He measures about 16 inches high and has a handy little hole in his back so he can easily be hung on a nail or screw.

You might notice if you zoom in that this wee little lad is anatomically correct. His tidy whities aren't hiding anything. I realized I was sculpting so many female forms and I was neglecting the boys. I am enjoying cutting in their six packs and even their "niblets". I hope you enjoy the work and be sure to cruise on over to Etsy if not to see my work browse what they have to offer. So much beautiful hand made work. And you are putting money into the pocket of a real live person and not a huge corporation.

New Pieces on Etsy

My sister Kelly phoned me today and said "I went to your blog and you haven't written anything in ages, why not?" So in honor of Kelly I am posting an image of a new sculpture which I have for sale on Etsy. This wall sculpture measures approximately 17 inches high is actually inspired by childhood memories of Kelly and me.

The joined bodies represent the closeness siblings share. The white wing represents the protection of an unseen guardian angel. It can also represent how regardless of the squabbles you may have you are joined to family and hold an unseen bond. The panties they wear are similar to the horrible rubber pants we wore over our cloth diapers. (I know... TMA)

In nutshell, if you have family that you love tell them so. Kelly, I love you and thanks for poking to write this. Hey... that sounds like a great concept for another piece.

Then and Now

This little lady popped out of the kiln today. Funny enough while I was sculpting it I had thought of the best title... do you think I can remember it now? So, I am calling her Then and Now. The sculpture stands about 36" high and she is seated in an old Amaco doll high chair.

I remember being a kid and going to friend's or cousin's houses and seeing toys like that chair and DROOLING. Now here I am in my 40's and I am still drooling over funky old doll chairs. It's nice to see nothing has changed.

Anyhow, I have to deliver her to Tequesta tomorrow after class for an exhibition at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts. The show opens September 15th. If you are in the area I hope you can make it to the opening reception.

How are you inspired?

Inspiration can be readily found, safely tucked away in fine museums all around the world. Like this fine terra cotta figure I discovered while wandering the nooks and crannies of the British Museum, or even the small painted wooden figure I admired at the V & A. I thought the security guards were going to escort me out the door because I was spending so much time staring, photographing and sketching the treasures. One guard even came up to the case where I was drooling over one piece, grabbed the corner of it and gave it a firm shake as if testing the strength and then walked away.

I thought to myself "what's up with that?" You mean not everyone takes 342 photos of one terra cotta form? Okay, maybe I was a bit art crazed but when you see something that inspires you take a picture, make a sketch and take it back to the studio and see how it can influence your art.

But if you can't make it to a museum, remember to look at the ordinary. Perhaps it's moss growing on a wall or the way sunlight falls on an object. See the beauty around you. But beware, somebody might call security. Happy Saturday.

Art Doll Quarterly Fall 2011 Issue

I am proud to say that I am the featured artist for the fall 2011 Art Doll Quarterly magazine and it is available on new stands now. Head out to your nearest Barnes and Noble, W. H. Smith, Borders, Books a Million or where ever and pick up a copy and take a look. Where Dreams and Memories Merge is the title of the story written about me by the ever fabulous Rïce Freeman Zachary. If you haven't visited her web site do, and yes she is as happy, sweet and wonderful as she appears to be.

I have included the image of the fall issues table of contents to this blog entry. You can also visit the Stampington/ Art Doll Quarterly web site to order a copy for $14.99 (USD). You'll also have to buy Spring 2012 issue of Art Doll Quarterly because I have written a step-by-step tutorial on sculpting a figure from terra cotta clay. So watch my blog and facebook for more information when that issue is available.

Creative Spark and Amsterdam

You'll find a nice interview on Create Mixed Media. There are photos of my studio and some interiors of my house. And yes, my dining room really is purple and turquoise. One of the questions asked of me was "if I could spend one day making art with someone who would it be?". I said Vincent Van Gogh.

We spent last week in Amsterdam and I got to visit the Vincent Van Gogh museum. Seeing so much of his work was very inspirational. Aside from drooling over Van Gogh's work, one of the thing I will remember the most about Amsterdam was the number of bicycles in the city. Holy crap crossing the street was seriously taking one's life in their own hands. Back in the states we have multi level parking garages for cars, in Amsterdam they are PACKED with bikes. The photo attached here is just a tiny detail of a garage.

There were bikes under canal bridges, bike racks where they had them stacked three high. Aside from bikes there are some nice museums in Amsterdam including the Rijk Museum (Rembrandt's night watch was the highlight) and the Hermitage.

Thatched Cottage- A Lovely Sight

Happy Fourth of July!! (my favorite holiday)

Here is an image of a thatched cottage located at Kilmore Quay (Quay is pronounced Key) in Ireland. It's nice to see the cottages with the thatched roofs, it really gives you a feel of being somewhere else. From what I hear the Irish government provides grants to people who replace their modern roofs for thatched. They're beautiful, one can't help but stop admire them.

Ireland hasn't let us down, the weather as they say has all 4 seasons in one day. Today was lovely, about 70 degrees which has been the warmest day so far. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

SoFlo Ceramics Show at the Armory Art Center

Just got home from delivering artwork to the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach and noticed one of my pieces on the postcard for the SoFlo Ceramic Show. Opening Reception July 22 6-8pm. Very cool indeed. The images accompanying this entry are the pieces I brought to the Armory for the show. They are approximately 13" x 8 x 7". I am having a lot of fun exploring the idea of the bed in my pieces lately. The bed plays such a large part in our lives. I remember as a kid getting sent to dad's house with my sisters and the three of us having to share a single bed. We'd pile onto the mattress utilizing every square inch. Also, the fact that I deal with migraines and these hateful headaches dictate that I am confined to a darkened room in bed several days out of a month. So for now I am exploring figures in bed and I really hope you can make it to the Armory to check out the show, remember they also have fantastic classes and studio space.

LH Horton Jr Gallery: Stockton, CA

I've just been notified that the piece accompanying this entry was accepted for the Visions in Clay exhibition at LH Horton Jr Gallery, Stockton, California.

The juror for the show is Judith S. Schwartz, Ph.D., and she has identified an international movement of artists who use clay confrontationally in the book, Confrontational Ceramics. If you visit the web site you can sneak a peek inside the book. My copy is on its way.

Exhibition Dates: August 18 – September 15, 2011.
Reception: August 18th, 5-7pm.

If you are in the Stockton, California area please stop by the LH Horton Jr Gallery at Delta College.

Podcast Interview with Ricë Freeman Zachary

Ricë Freeman Zachary interviewed me last week for a podcast that is now posted on her website. Please feel free to listen. Let me start by saying that I have been a long time fan of Ricë's. If you are familiar with craft books and magazines hers will be a name you will recognize. I know you'll find her interesting.

It was a fun conversation about making art, how to market yourself and your art. Do yourself a favor and download all of her podcasts. I have listened to every single one of them. It's like sitting back and listening to pals chatting about everything from art, crafts, publishing, you name it. Hope you enjoy it.

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.

Exhibiting Member Piedmont Craftsmen

I received notification that my work has been juried into Piedmont Craftsmen located in Winston Salem, NC. Needless to say I am very excited as I have long admired the organization.

Since 1963, Winston-Salem, North Carolina has been home to Piedmont Craftsmen, Inc., a guild founded by craft artists and collectors to honor the work of the hand. I will be taking part in the Piedmont Craftsmen's 48th Fair November 18-20. There is an option to have a booth or submit 5 pieces for a group booth. Given my busy schedule I will most likely opt for the 5 pieces rather than a solo booth.November is a long time off and you can be assured as the time draws nearer I will keep you posted on the how, what and wheres.

The image I posted with this entry is called Besties. I am back to making my boxes with drawers. The little faces remind me of childhood, particularly my sister Kelly and I. (see the picture on my web site) We were besties.

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?

Florida Craftsmen Opening

It's been a week since the opening at Florida Craftsmen Gallery and NCECA. It was a great time and a fantastic turnout at the gallery. Here are a couple of shots of the piece titled "Hornet's Nest". She's sitting pretty in the window.

She's approximately 40 inches high. About the size of a 2 or 3 year old.

If you are in St. Petersburg please stop by the gallery. Helen Otterson did a great job curating the show.

The Nerd Herd

Here is a sample of one of the new cups I have been making. I brought 10 of them to Florida Craftsmen Gallery in St. Petersburg.

As they were all lined up on the counter I just kept thinking they look like a herd of nerds. Or like a high school reunion. The good, the bad and the ugly. (and the dorky)
I think I am going to start doing portraits of people I know... that is until they catch on and kick my *ss.

They're fun to make, what can I say.

St. Petersburg Banner

I delivered a bunch of art work for the Hot and Humid exhibition today at Florida Craftsmen Gallery. As we were walking to the car I looked up and saw my artwork on a banner. It was nice.

The Hot and Humid exhibit coincides with NCECA.

So if your in St. Petersburg Florida stop by Florida Craftsmen Gallery to see my newest life sized work and all of the crazy cups I made. And if you are walking up Central Ave remember to look up because you might see more of it staring back at you.

Miami Art Fair