Sleepy on a Rainy Day

 

It's gray and rainy outside. I feel like this girl all sleepy and tired.  More coffee is needed.

Sale on my Etsy Shop

I finally got off my lazy butt and listed a few new/old pieces and marked down the prices by A LOT. Yes, in case you didn't know I paint too. I should put some of my horse paintings up there. What can I say I just need to make some space.

500 Figures in Clay: Volume 2

Good news, I received word today that my piece JJ is going to be appearing in 500 Figures in Clay: Volume 2. The word is it will be in bookstores in February 2014. I just sent a message to Jill (the lady who bought the figure appearing in the book - she's one of the J's in the title JJ) to give her the good news. Thank you Lark Publishers.

What a Mess

Holy crap. I have to clean my studio. Look at what happens when I am ready to load a kiln. This week I was really pushing myself to work. Making 6 salt and pepper sets, 8 wall pieces (two of them are doubles), I glazed 27 coffee mugs for a charity event at South Shores Tavern here in Lake Worth, and one large winged boy all this week. My studio is a mess. I can't move, seriously I am relegated to putting work on the chair. Look at the tops of large figures stashed under my table. Open glaze bottles everywhere. Ugh, glaze on the floor. So dirty.

3 of the pieces on the wall are commissions and I haven't had time to photograph and list on Etsy. Can't focus until I clean. Are you like that too? It's like cleaning my space clears my mind.

Good news the kiln is loaded and I'll have some new work to show hopefully on Sunday. If the kiln Gods smile upon me).

Sketchy Business

I just sent off a series of sketches and mock ups for a commissioned piece. It's going to be life sized and a double. The picture accompanying this entry is fresh out of my sketchbook. Have I ever mentioned how much I love working in my sketchbook? Because I do. When I lack inspiration one of the first things I do is reach for a sketchbook and flip through the pages.

There was an art dealer a in my studio a few weeks back and he asked about influences. I picked up my sketchbook off the table and said something to the effect of "anything I see that inspires me I document" and I opened the sketchbook to show him sketches for the work adorning the walls and he replied "one day that's going to be worth a lot of money". That was so cool to hear.

So, if you're an artist work in your sketchbook. Draw what you see, draw what you love and when you aren't sure what to make or if you have an artistic block you'll have inspiration at your finger tips.

A Netsilik Song

Have you ever seen or read something and you feel like it was written just for you? I came across this quote and it spoke to my soul. Within its words there is everything I feel and why I make the art that I make. It's from an Netsilik (Eskimo) song.

In the very earliest time,
when both people and animals lived on earth,
a person could become an animal if he wanted to
and an animal could become a human being.
Sometimes they were people
and sometimes animals
and there was no difference.
All spoke the same language.

Couldn't leave it with that mess

Me being me couldn't leave that photo of my studio in boxes as a last word. It's awful. And do you know what's even more awful? Me still getting up in the morning and going into my studio even though I can't do any work. Jody said I am "addicted to my studio". (Shhh, don't tell him... but I think he's right).

Anyhow, I thought I'd put a prettier picture up to hide that view of the studio in the entry right below.
This is one of my newest favorite pieces. It's called Stanley. It's a wall hanging and is about 15 inches tall. I love the expression on this ones face. Sort of wistful, like they're reflecting on something in the past or dreaming about "what could be".

As you can tell I have really gotten into wall pieces this year. To me they're so much easier to display in my house. They aren't plopped on a table blocking anyone. They can be hung safely away from klutzes (like somebody I adore... even when he breaks my stuff). Like I've said before when I looked around my own house most of the art I collect is wall pieces so I said "ding dong" why aren't you making more? Hope you enjoy.

Sad Studio

Look at the state of my studio. Is this not the saddest thing? Okay, maybe not but it looks pretty hideous. No, not pretty hideous because there is nothing pretty about it. We're getting the last boxes together and Wednesday after teaching my classes we get a u-haul and start loading. Needless to say there are other more fun and exciting things I'd rather be doing than moving all of my junk; like giving birth, getting a full body wax, and a colonoscopy at the same time. But it's a necessary evil. My kids will be going to the gallery this evening and coming off Etsy. Enough of me hoarding them like some crazy cat lady. When I get the new studio together you can be sure I will post lots of pics.

Every once in awhile I make a piece and I have to live with it for awhile. Meaning you won't see it appear on Etsy or in one of the art galleries for a long time, if at all. This piece is one of them. I call it Queen B. It's a wall piece and they measure approximately 11 inches in height. I adore the little gal on the right. She just makes me smile and her outfit reminds me of my sister Kelly's mountain climber pants she used to wear as a child. (Sorry Kelly, you're busted! And happy birthday). They look sort of raggedy and tough. Like they'd fit perfectly in the story Oliver Twist.

I did put a few piece up on Etsy today. Two of them are free standing double forms. I got a request from people at the gallery for more free standing work, so I have a few more on the table.

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. 

You're My Bud...

I fired the Chrissy the kiln Sunday and didn't unload until late Sunday night. I was actually looking at the clock and suffering from daylight savings-itus saying "please God... let it cool so I can unload and go to bed". Monday was back to work and suffering from end of spring break-itus. So I just went outside and picked a big honking hibiscus flower from the front yard and shot some images of my work. I know, I know... the flower is bigger than her head. I looked lecherously at a purple orchid I have in my tree and said Vic...don't do it.

These new pieces are "bud vases" in two ways. The can hold a single bud or flower and they can become your new little buds. The ones posted here represent the blondes and brunettes. The blonde is about 10 inches high and the brunette is about 9 inches high. I think my latest crazy obsession is polka-dots, can you tell? Actually I have always loved them even though migraine sufferers are supposed to avoid bold patterns I am strangely drawn to stripes and dots. I hope to put some of the new work on Etsy in the next few days. Do stay tuned.

Oh, and if you are in the area I have a couple of pieces in a show that opens this Saturday at JF Gallery in West Palm Beach. Hope you can make it.

New Face Vase

I am on spring break and happier than a clam in high tide... or something like that. Prior to break I had said to everyone I was going to put a cot in my studio and actually I have come pretty darned close. It's so nice having so much time to sculpt. I started these pieces last night. They are vases just right for one flower. I went outside and picked a hibiscus from the front yard and stuck it in one of their heads. It's like the one on the right is like "hey bee-atch where's my flower?"

They totally remind me of the large over sprayed hairstyles of the 1950's. What were they called, beehives? Bouffants? Or one of the girl singing groups from the same era. Actually the inspiration behind these: I was sitting out on my patio looking at the clouds and for some reason they reminded me of poofy hairdo's. And yes, I am a strange girl.

Lately I've been firing on Saturdays, we'll see if I can get these girls done by then. If I do watch my Etsy for a few new pieces. Right now I have 4 of these head vases. They stand about 10 inches high. And I am probably going to have a couple of double figures too.

Nada, Nothing

It's been a busy few weeks getting work together for shows near and far. It's a good feeling having the work ready when deadlines are just over the horizon. I submitted this piece  for a show at JF Gallery here in the West Palm Beach area called Pictures of Nothing... hence the words on the chest. This spicy little gal is NO THING; she's a hot tamale. I am really having fun with the little circus inspired outfits on my pieces lately. Hope you like her.

Pour Some Sugar... I Mean Salt on Me

These are a new set of salt and pepper shakers. They're fun to make. I have 4 sets in my studio at various stages of wet and dry. Next week gallery walk in Wilton Manners where my work will be featured at Greg Mangum Gallery. Most likely I will be pulling these off Etsy (unless they sell) and bringing them down to the gallery. They're small only about 6 inches high, but I suppose that's big as far as salt and pepper shakers go.

I am enjoying making these but I've been invited to take part in a teapot show at Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA and I really need to start working on that. Luckily there are a few ideas swimming around in the old noggin. Honestly, when I work I usually grab a lump of clay with no thought and just see what happens. Knowing me I will make 2 and pick the better of the two for the show. Actually that reminds me the Mad Hatter Exhibition at the Armory in West Palm is fast approaching and I need to make something for that.

If only I didn't feel so lazy tonight I would get started. Fiddle Dee Dee, there's always tomorrow.

Hot Stuff

I have just signed up for an Esty account. If you are not familiar with Esty.com it is an online venue where artists and craftsmen can sell their hand made work. I am still in the process of building my shop. I have just unloaded a kiln and getting ready to put some little Vixie Chix up there.

The plan is to have several of the moderately priced and then a couple of the more high end pieces up there. You will be able to purchase through pay pal. So you can be confident your privacy is protected and your personal information is totally safe.

I will let you know when the shop is open for business.