Acquisition for the Permanent Collection: Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Armenia

I just received some really great news from Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA where I am currently taking part a Tea Pot exhibition. The Cafesjian Center for the Arts in Armenia has acquired one of my pieces for their permanent collection.

The piece they purchased is She Pot: Green Tea Leaves (accompanying this entry). As most of you know I tend to make sculptural pieces rather than functional ware. So rather than a tea pot I made a she pot. Her hair is meant to mimic a spout and she is a vessel with holes in her head for adding water or other liquid.

If you're in Pittsburgh in the near future please stop by and see her on display. Otherwise you'll have to trek to Armenia to visit my girl.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Save the Arts Animation

I found this animation by David Shrigley on You Tube and thought I would share it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6rYDaORe3k&feature=player_embedded

Victoria Rose Martin- Florida Craftsmen Gallery

Florida Craftsmen Gallery shows sculptures evoking oil spill - St ...
I don't know about you, but in this summer of the oil spill, I can hardly bear to look at photographs of slimed birds and sea animals, not to mention read ...
www.tampabay.com/features/visualarts/article1110067.ece

Show at the Craft Gallery

Two weeks ago there were 4 openings that featured my work. This weekend there is one at the Craft Gallery in Lake Worth, Florida. Other artists participating in the show are Debra Fritts and Nancy Kubale Wicker. They are very talented artists and I really admire their work.
In need of more artwork to show I have been sculpting like a mad woman. As you can see from the photo it is a life size head, that will just barely fit into my little kiln (Chrissy). The piece is completely handbuilt. I kept a small mirror on the table while working and it is funny to see slight resemblances to my own face in the clay form. The piece stands 18 inches high and is green (unfired) in the photo accompanying this entry.

One in the Oven

I finished glazing last night and since there was no school today in honor of Veteran's Day, I am happy to say the kiln is firing. As I type, the color inside the kiln is bright orange and I am waiting eagerly to hear the familiar sound of the kiln sitter tripping (which signals the end of the firing). I will be able to peak in before leaving for work in the morning.

This photo was taken just before I closed the lid of the kiln. I enjoy how the one piece looks like it is peaking out of the peep hole.

New Web Site Layout

Today my newly redesigned website was uploaded. I had been adding to the old website for quite awhile and I felt it was getting cluttered. It's been streamlined and hopefully easier to navigate.

Most of the artwork shown on the site has already sold, which is a very good thing. The piece that accompanies this entry is a new wall hanging. I am continually creating more. In fact, I am getting ready to load a bisque kiln tomorrow. I have 5 pieces in that kiln that are going to be high fired in a wood kiln. I can wait to see the results. It's been a long time since I have participated in a salt, soda or wood firing. If you are interested in finding out about soda/wood firing please visit: Live Oak Pottery.

Delivered Work

This past weekend was a busy one. First, I celebrated my birthday on Labor Day (how appropriate, since birthdays are labor days for our moms).

Then I delivered a car load of new artwork to Florida Craftsmen Gallery. This piece is called Beach Baby. The heart on her tummy is a drawer so you can stash jewelry or other mementos inside her.

I also had an opening last Friday night at Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth, Florida. The turn out was great. I saw a lot of students from PBCC. To all who made it a successful night, thank you.

On A Roll

Gad zooks, I have been down the last 4 days with a horrible cold/flu. I have been lying here in bed dying to get my hands into some clay. Anyhow, thought I would put up a picture of one of my recent sculptures. Luckily enough I have been selling a lot of my work. The teapot in the previous entry sold. Which is great. The photo that accompanies this entry is a piece that sold in an exhibition at Eaton Fine Art in West Palm Beach. The piece is called Happy Girl. The proceeds for this piece were donated to a scholarship fund. Hopefully enabling a Happy Girl or Boy to afford school tuition.

Lots of new work to come. Laying here for 4 days unable to move, while the brain was dreaming up all sorts of crazy things.

Ceramics Monthly Article

More good news. First, if you visit the Florida Craftsmen Gallery website you will see I am currently the featured artist. It seems as the gallery was unpacking my newest shipment of work, the piece which accompanies this entry Palms Read sold. She didn't even make it to the shelf!

I have also had three people say "congratulations on the write up in Ceramics Monthly Magazine". I have yet to get my hands on a copy, but Barnes & Nobles assures me they are receiving the October issue this week and I can't wait to see it.

As a result of the article, I have been asked to participate in a few shows. I truly believe when you follow your dreams, (such as making art and teaching again for me) the universe brings to you all you desire.

Exhibition at Present Global Gallery

It has been a whir since we arrived home from our summer vacation. Just so we didn't forget we were in Florida, good old mother nature threw Tropical Storm Fay at us just as soon as we got home. The latest satellite images of the Atlantic look like a conga line of hurricanes. Hey, but at least we are warm.

I have been sculpting like a maniac since we arrived home. I have a show this Saturday night at Present Global Gallery in West Palm Beach. If you are in the area stop by an accept my invitation to oggle and ohh and ahh my artwork. The image that accompanies this entry is called Be Kind and it is ceramic and measures about 13" high and it is included in the show at Present Global. Hope you enjoy the work.