Update: Flowers

Here's a photo of the green (unfired) doll from an earlier post. She's covered in flowers.

Quite colorful. Me being a Virgo I loved painting all of the fussy details.

New Heads

When I screw up I always try to find the sunny side. A few weeks ago I was making a head and it just looked goofy, so in disgust I  flattened it and something funny happened; I liked it. (it was this head)

Then I made a second head and I smashed it flat too (it was this one)

And then I gave her a flower in her hair. Then I called in my husband as I often do and said "opinion?" He liked them too. I tend to be tight with my art but with these I am quite loose.

 And they're really fun to make. I get to smash  them and make them weird.

Don't worry, I even made a salt and pepper set. I am still making my crazy dolls. But these I am going to explore some more. New things just in time for New Year.

Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to show a new piece and wish a very Merry Christmas. I have been scouring old sketchbooks from 20 years ago (can you even imagine?) Me neither. Exploring and making old ideas new again.

So far I am calling this Barnacles. She's part octopus and part mermaid. I've got two more similar to her just about done. Merry Christmas!! And a very happy, healthy, creative new year.

Everything Old is New Again

The house Martin's are out of the kiln and ready to fly the coop. House forms and birds will always be a part of my visual language. Playing with a lot of color lately.

These measure between 7 and 8.5 inches tall.

And they're for table top or shelf display.

 This one sold, and is living in north Florida. 

Merry Christmas early.

February Calendar

Hello. I was very naughty and didn't post this yesterday. I was out jogging, walking and enjoying the perfect winters day in South Florida. I am about to post images of the newer girls. Soft silky flowing hair, free standing and all that. Keep watching.

On my way to NIADA, Orlando

Getting ready to head up to Orlando for the NIADA conference. Finally! As it started Wednesday but I couldn't get away. Tomorrow is a sale and my car is loaded. If you're there you might just see these kids.

New web site coming soon

I am finishing up the last little fiddly bits on my new web site. Within the next few days I am going to pull down the old site and replace it with a new shiny version. You'll notice similarities and major differences. Biggest difference is the green is gone replace with clean white background.

I am including a screen shot of one version of the homepage. I say one version because each time you refresh the page the image changes. There are 12 different figures and sketchbook page combinations. So if you are so inclined be sure to hit the refresh button or go back home and notice the different layouts. If you are a web builder/ designer I got the code for the random image from javascriptkit. I love that site and send my students there all of the time. It's also worth mentioning I got the code for my form on the contact page from thesitewizard. Follow the instructions and you too can have a really easy form on your site. There are so many people sharing great bits out there. If you find any please share them with me too.

And I  have also decided that I am going to start showing more sketches and am about to start selling prints of my sketches in my Etsy shop. Well, the sketches that aren't covered in clay since I do use my sketchbooks while working in the studio. Hope you like the new concept for the site.

Rock Out!

It's been a busy few weeks and I'd like to introduce you to the Royal Rocker. He is currently making his debut at Valentina's Treasures on Palm Beach Island. Valentina's is located on Peruvian just off Worth Ave. so if you're on the island check him out. There are 3 more rocking rockers in the kiln. And the good news, The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA sold out on all of my salt and pepper shakers. Yours truly is staring down winter break from school (thank you sweet Jesus!! and I say that with love to my students). So get ready for a whole lot of new art to come down the pipe.

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.

Ricë and upcoming articles

It's been a busy few weeks here. My interview with the amazing Ricë Freeman Zachary who is just the easiest person to talk to. Honestly, I am so relaxed talking to her even though we've never met face to face I feel like I've known her forever. Thanks to Ricë I am going to be posting how to market yourself as an artist on Create Mixed Media. If you're an artist and not sure how to get your name out there please check them out. They'll be appearing in November so watch for those.

I've also had several galleries picking up work, some new prospects like Meeka Gallery in Boise, Idaho. So if you're near Boise, please visit the new gallery. Visit my kids, make sure they're not too lonely without me. My pieces at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia sold out so I have to ship 5 more. 

And I've just restocked Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery in Lake Worth. It was looking a bit sparse, my apologies. But you'll find a lot more goodies on the shelf. Florida Craftsmen Gallery, you're next.

The piece accompanying this entry can be seen in the display case at Clay Glass Metal Stone. So if you're in the neighborhood please stop by and check out the new work. Happy Friday to all!!

The Clay Studio, Philadelphia PA

It's been a crazy busy week, I had a new gallery contact me (Bamboo Beach Gallery) and he picked up a lot of work. You may have noticed a bunch of work vanished from my Etsy shop this week for that reason. Also, getting ready to ship off two sets of salt and pepper shakers tomorrow for a show in Philadelphia, PA at The Clay Studio.

I was so honored when they asked if I would participate in the show Dip, Dash, Pour & Spread. (it has to do with table setting items and eating)The image of the salt and pepper that accompany this entry are "The King and I". The Clay Studio has an amazing online shop, please visit.  And it goes without saying, if you're in the Philadelphia area please pop by the gallery and visit my kids.

All Things Are Connected

What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
Chief Seattle - Suqwamish & Duwamish

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.

There's No Place Like Home

This past weekend I went home to Alexandria Bay in Northern New York.  Maybe it's getting older, maybe it's a need to feel grounded but I needed to go. While there we celebrated my sister Virginia's birthday and she gifted me with 4 sets of deer antlers. (me doing the happy dance) Oh, get ready to see more deer women in my work people. The weather was perfect, and my sister took us out into the deep woods to her camp on her Polaris Ranger (Four Wheeler). We saw deer (of course), dug around for arrow heads, and I could feel my soul drinking it all in. The photos accompanying this entry are Boldt Castle and the village dock in the Bay. If you've never been up that way it's a beautiful part of the country.

Rabbit Rider

Finally, I am posting an image of one of the new babies. It might be old news to you if you saw it on Etsy already but with the craziness of the last week I haven't had the time to post an image. I am really having a lot of fun with these Riders. Right now I have 3 more on my table (2 on birds and 1 on a dog) and 5 new sets of male and female salt and pepper shakers (they've been getting moved around because of tornadoes and tropical storms).

When we were on vacation I did my usual day after day in the British museum and I of course paying extra homage to Canosan Pottery where I noticed broken shards of pottery that inspired these pieces. We'll see how these pieces evolve.

Studio: A Different View

Hello! I had planned on posting images of my new work today, however Tropical Storm Isaac had other plans. You're getting a photo of the view from my studio. This morning I began glazing my work at my table which you can see in the photo. "But the table is empty you ask"? Blame Isaac.

This afternoon there was this AWFUL roar (like a freight train) at the front of the house and I ran like a jack rabbit to the rear of the house where my studio is. When I got there I heard more roaring (go figure) and I saw my fence flying away. You can see the fence neatly piled in the yard behind the pool.

The news just stated the obvious "unconfirmed reports of a tornado in Lake Worth". After a major crying spell and overall freak out, like any true artist I moved all of my artwork off the table into the "safe room". (I am such a dork) It actually gives the rider pieces I've been sculpting new meaning. Very Wizard of Oz I must say.

Fingers crossed that's the worst of it.

Today I am posting a book cover I painted for a lovely client named Dorothy Littlefield. The book is her life long vision and I am honored to be a part of it. The artwork has been approved and is on its way to the publisher.

Without my ceramic studio I've been jonesing a little for making art. So, this book cover was just what I needed.

It is a digital painting and was created totally in Adobe photoshop using my wacom graphic tablet. The stars, the owl, the moon everything is digitally painted. It was really great fun to do. When the painting was finished it was brought into Indesign were I set the text.

I can't wait to see the book on the shelf of my local bookstore. Thank you to Dorothy and her sweet daughter Sharon. Hope you guys like it.

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.