October 28, 2010

Pots...lots of glazing today...firing...and making some new things.

Ok...off to do something a little new, BUT I feel like I've been trying something new for 35+ years. When and where do I find a...vision(?), a statement to make in clay? I go, I learn, I see...try something new again and again and again. Whattup? I know it is a never ending process, but DAMN, I feel like I re-invent the wheel continually.

I like what I make, but they don't sell well. I hate making some item and they DO sell. JeSUS.
The art world is a fickle, fickle, unpredictable place.

*sigh*

October 27, 2010

Went to Cinderelish's house today to work on pots. Cindy did some carving and I did mason stain washes on my pieces. As I dug out my pots form the travel bucket, I had several broken pieces...candy man and 2 Santas. *aaaaarhhhh*

After a yummy cheeseburger and tater tot lunch at the RetroBowl in Liberty, MO, we talked about improving our respective work. I love it when I can get a second opinion. We deduced that my work is too fragile...too much breakage from the extreme elements and thinness of my pots and their body parts.

I might:

• add text
• change forms
• eliminate *some* work, especially the extremely fragile stuff
• change up some of the decorative elements...add more...change the shape of those elements
• work on color
• work on new pieces to round out the bulk of my work
• make more molds to press into

*WOW* looking up /\ that seems like a lot to do.

October 25, 2010

In the clay world...
I made some glazes today. I repllenished my Higby Water Blue and my Yellow Liner. I am going to do some glaze tests on alternative colors with the base of HWB.

I think I am going to do the same with my YL. I have already reduced the amount of Talc by 5% and increased the amount of Flint 5%. My line glaze was a little too cloudy. I am trying to reduce the cloudy by reducing the Talc. I am not much of a chemist, but that sounded logical.

October 24, 2010...later

I made a bunch of small bowls...18...an inexpensive price point. Most of them are alike, but one has a snowman face. Cornball.

I altered the centers a bit after I took the picture. I left an 'empty' spot in the center. I thought there was just a little too much texture. I needed some contrast. A few have triangular centers, from sprigged detail to detail.

I am making glaze tomorrow after my busy day working my random day job, riding my bike, picking up rat poison and visiting my dermatologist.

I am mixing my beautiful Higby Water Blue and some variations (tests), Yellow liner glaze and and some clear with a little yellow stain it it.

I found an article by Vince Patelka I want to read about stains, patinas and glazes. Sounds interesting. I don't want to use Terra Sigs or *just* slips. I can't wait to read and try it all out.

October 24, 2010

It is Sunday and I spent a great weekend at Lawrence Art Center...at a ceramic symposium. My favorites were Julia Galloway, Matt Long and Dave Hintler. Got lots of great piccys and ideas. I bought a Matt Long shot glass and a multi-media piece. The piece is an edgy image of a Lawrence artist by a Denver artist Jouvelt...look him up.

I think the funniest and fun potter was Matt Long...sweet work with slips. My video won't upload, but I have some images.

October 21, 2010

Getting ready for the Xmas season.

I will have work at Sav*Art on the Plaza

beginning early November.

Sav*Art will be located in the former

Banana Republic (next to the Gap Store).

I will also have Xmas themed artwork at

Eclectics and the KC Clay Guild

Holiday Pottery Tour and Sale...more

on that later.

October 21, 2010

I've been working alot more the past week. Perhaps going to the gym and riding my bike on a regular basis is helping my attitude. Despite the fact that I got rejected by an online ceramic artist's gallery this week, I am trying to keep a positive frame of mind. I think I am past getting rejection notices, but I am afraid it still throws me.

I am trying some new forms. Here's a sample that included tumblers...not sure about the the foot. I keep thinkking they need to have a wider bottom to the body so that the foot will not so dainty. Hmmmmmm.

I am trying new impressed textures and shapes in the walls of my cups, too.

I include some candy jars with serving trays...and Santas.

October 18, 2010

I am pretty excited, but I am gonna hafta bust my butt. I contacted a gallery and they want work by November 2. Yikes! I will be in the Plaza SAV*ART gallery (http://www.sav-art.com/)

I spent most of the day in the studio. It was hard as it was a beautiful day yesterday. Spent a lot of the day, Saturday doing the same.

I made boneguy snowmen with lids, a couple of Xmas trees, a some boats/wagons with wheels to set the bone guys in.

October 16, 2010...pottery slut...was that too harsh?

I forgot a piccy of my work at the Cone Box...thanks for looking!

October 16, 2010...pottery slut

Terry and I went to the opening of the 2010 Orton Cone Box showlast night...lots of friends there. My piece, Miss Havisham's Wedding (Cake) was an award winner...a purchase award from the Bracker family.

I also purchased two pieces. Here are photos of the two pieces I bought. The little flower t-pot is by Susan Beiner of Tempe, Arizona and the figure bottle is by Glenda Taylor from Topeka, Kansas. Love, love, love them.

I also bought a Pete Pinnell teabowl at the other show in Lawrence Art Center, since I missed getting one at the KC Clay Guild Teabowl National last June.

We also had a lovely dinner at Esquina in Lawrence, Kansas...yummy fish tacos and ultra yummy chips and salsa. I think that salsa is my favorite anywhere! I also had a yummy bottle of Jaritos Grapefruit pop.

I can't wait until the symposim at LAC next weekend. Two days of pottery!

October 14, 2010

attached are some pix from my demo/workshop last Saturday at Bracker's Good Earth Clays. I had fun and the day went quickly. I can't believe I made pots for 5 hours without a break.

Thanks to everyone who came out to watch...and thanks to the Bracker family.

KC Clay Guild has just opened their new sales gallery. Work by KCCG members will be for sale during regular business hours. Come check it out!

October 7, 2010

Just a quick 'hello'. Still haven't made a pot. I feel like this teapot.

I will get to that today or tomorrow in preperation for my workshop at Bracker's this Saturday, October 9, 10-3. Come watch for a minute or and hour or all day!

Gotta limber my fingers up!

Raku Night is also happening at KC Clay Guild (200 West 74th, KCMO) this Saturday evening...5 pm, the first pot goes in then! Food, fun, fire and flame & music...oh yeah, Boulevard Beer!