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.

La Ouija

How appropriate to share my new baby on Mother's Day. You might ask yourself "what do your clay babies give you on Mother's Day Victoria?" Well, they give me so much happiness. Getting that Christmas morning feeling when I open the kiln. Smiling when I see glazes that look better than I hoped. Running through the house with a piece that is still so hot I have to use pot holders because I have to show Jody. And best of all, knowing they wind up in the home of a person who loves them as much as I do is so rewarding.

So happy Mother's Day to all the mom's with kids made from flesh and blood and to those with babies made from art materials!

By the way, this piece is called La Ouija. As much as they scare and freak me out I love ouija boards.

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.

New Snowbird Figure

There was  a lovely lady (Constance) who wanted to buy a particular figure from my Etsy shop ask if I had another piece similar to one that had sold.  I told her I would make another similar to it. So here she is so far. It's nice making something that will hopefully mean something to another person. I asked her what she liked in my figures and she listed the following: mis-matched stockings, a crown, an orange striped bathing suit, the word snowbird, and her little hands on her hips kind of sassy looking.

Isn't it funny how often people don't ask for things they want and in reality the person they are afraid to ask or don't want to "inconvenience" doesn't see it that way at all. Personally, I love making commissioned pieces. Creating work of a certain color, size or with special words or symbols for others is fun. So if there's something you want that isn't illegal or life endangering just ask.

Like my mom used to say "the worst thing people can say is no. They can't kill you and eat you". Well, unless you're in a bad sci-fi movie, but otherwise they can't. On this day I thought it appropriate to mention mom. I miss you.

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. 

 

The opening was great last night at JF Gallery, however in my haste to get to the opening I left my camera at home. (boo hiss!!) I got to see my pal Karla Walter, who by the way is a fantastic artist. And a really nice person. And the good news is we both sold pieces last night. When I arrived she pointed out the red dot that accompanied my work. There was a great turn out and a lot of lovely art. 

I got home last night and did some glazing, loaded and fired Chrissy the Kiln and I just unloaded about an hour ago (the beauty of a small kiln is they cool faster). I shot a few images of the new work, this being one of them. She reminds me of a mermaid without a tail. I've really gotten into wavy hair lately. For now I am calling her Windy. 

And I have to pull salt and peppers off Etsy because a gallery wants them so adore them while you can. I have to get my butt out into the studio and crank out some more. Watch for updates!

Opening Reception JF Gallery, West Palm Beach

If you are in South Florida this Saturday I hope you can make it to JF Gallery for the "Pictures of Nothing Exhibit". The opening reception is March 17, 2012 from 6 - 9 pm. Here's a link to their facebook page and a link to the gallery website.

One of the pieces  in the show is No Thing and the other is a double figure called Na Da. (get the tie in for the show?) I know... I am a total dork. Looking at the picture I adore the figure with Na on its chest, the pot belly is too much and sadly it reminds me of... me! Bwah! Hope you're there, because I am worried since it's St. Patrick's Day and most people I know are going to be out swilling beer (as they should be).