From Too Big to Ta Da!

I just got back from the Craft Gallery where the ever Lovely Betty Wilson fired my too big piece. I think the title will stay King Richard. She is a big girl measuring about 23 inches from head to toe and on the leash is King Richard the bird who isn't sure what he is. Part grackle (one of my FAVORITE birds), the red of a cardinal, part crow, part Labrador.

 Little Chrissy my kiln is only 18 inches high and I tried just about everything to make the large figure fit. Even took the bottom shelf out, leaned her sideways (the figure not the kiln). It was a no go and not meant to be. So thank you Betty. If you're a ceramic artist in Palm Beach County... go to Betty Wilson at the Craft Gallery for supplies and firing. Love you Betty.

I am still debating where to show her. The options; at Piedmont Craftsmen Things with Wings show, or over at Clay Glass Metal Stone gallery. I actually have a table full of art again, so you'll know I will be firing little Chrissy again this weekend. Maybe I'll get all of the stuff sorted that didn't fit in the firing this weekend.

Angel of Love Tutorial

Please stop by your local bookstore and ask for the most recent copy of Art Doll Quarterly because I have written a tutorial on sculpting a figure. You may notice on the cover it says Sculpting an Angel of Love by Victoria Rose Martin. It's actually the little angel figure you see accompanying this blog. I put her over in the gallery in Lake Worth and she sold, I keep meaning to give a shout out to Joyce at Clay Glass Metal Stone, to let her know if the persons who bought the angel buys the magazine they can watch step by step this figure being made. There are TONS of photos accompanying the tutorial. (FYI: I shoot my work with a Sony NEX-5)

 Aside from bookstores, you can also get copies online at the Stampington/ Art Doll Quarterly web site. A huge thanks to magazine Editor Jana Holstein for running the story.

You can be sure I will be ordering extra copies online.

Tooo Big

I loaded a kiln late last night and fired it today but why you ask is my bottom lip is all pouty and quivering? Because one of my girls was too big for the kiln. (big sigh... she's 23.5 inches tall) I get so darned impatient to see them fired. Maybe that is why the universe guided me to clay in the first place because it is really about patience. If clay is too wet it falls, and you patiently have to wait for it to dry. And then you have to wait for the work to dry before putting it into a kiln. Then if you heat a kiln too fast the work blows up, so you have to take it slow. When the kiln reaches temperature and begins cooling I pace like a father in the delivery room. Sticking paper in the peeps to see if it catches on fire, blowing fans towards the kiln and an ever vigilant ear listening for pinging and popping meaning it's cooling too fast and in danger of breaking. Oh... patience. So once this gal dries I can bring her to the Craft Gallery and have Betty, my clay angel fire my baby. I'll post a picture of her when she's done.

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.

Great Opening Night at Greg Mangum

I am happy to report that last night was amazing at Greg Mangum Gallery. A great turn out and a lot of red dots (if you're in the biz you know when a piece sells it gets a red dot sticker). It was really great having the opportunity to speak with old friends and collectors who I am sure will become new friends. I also want to tell my friend Victoria that when I left at 10 pm the sculpture 3 Legged Race was still without a red dot... keep your fingers crossed!

I shot these pictures when there was a lull in the crowd. And if you haven't attended an Island City Art walk in Wilton Manners I highly recommend it. It was a great vibe with throngs of people popping in and out of galleries, shops and boutiques that were hosting events. I was really impressed.

And a big thanks to Greg and Ken for all they have done to promote my art. Be sure to stop by the gallery, the show will be up for a few weeks. By the way Greg and Ken are both really talented artists. They'll be in Key West next weekend for an art show. One day I hope to get my hands on one of Greg's bird paintings. (I love the big colorful crow painting). And speaking of arts hows, I am on my way to Art Palm Beach; inspiration here I come!

Island City Art Walk: tomorrow night

Just a gentle reminder that tomorrow night is Gallery Walk Night in Wilton Manners. My work is all installed at Greg Mangum Gallery. Hopefully if you are in the area you can make the time to stop by and visit me, and check out the work. January 20, 2012 from 7 - 10 PM.

The gallery walk is along a 1 mile strip of shops, galleries, cafes and boutiques located in Wilton Manners, the Island City. For more information visit the website above. Hope to see you there!

Opening at Greg Mangum Gallery

This Friday (January 20) I am having an opening reception at Greg Mangum Gallery in Wilton Manners, FL (Fort Lauderdale). They are located at 2301 Wilton Drive and if you are in the neighborhood I hope you can stop by.

I got up at 6 am today and glazed my rump off trying to get the last pieces finished. Seriously... I finally finished glazing about an hour ago (10 pm) because I have to get the show set up on Wednesday after school and my babies... time aint on my side. In the kiln I've got 3 wall figures (2 doubles and one single) and 4 sets of salt and pepper shakers. The piece accompanying this post is called 3 legged race. No doubt she will find her way to the gallery. I really like this piece. It reminds me of those balmy days in June just before summer vacation back when I was a kid. So if you find yourself wandering aimlessly on Friday night please stop by the gallery.