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?