Thursday, October 2, 2008

Brookings Beachy Bowls

I put my Brookings Beach Bowls into the Manley Art Center located in Brookings, Oregon. These bowls are hand built pottery. I fire them twice. The second firing, I add sand to the glaze. It gives them a "beachy" finish.

The bowls were created with pottery kelp and starfish. I gave the starfish movement by having each leg in a different position. The glazes are soft blues, yellows, greens and red. Ocean inspired.

Each is signed and numbered. I hope they are a success. I only made a limited amount. I am not into production. Now I have to dream of new pieces to create.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Making Pottery Tiles in Crescent City, California

I have worked in clay since high school. As a matter of fact, I was the teacher's assistant my Junior and Senior year. I learned to measure and make glazes besides working in clay. The most I remembered from the class was how to make hand built boxes.
Later I took a college class and learned how how to be more creative with clay with less boundaries. For example, I learned to make story plates. These were pieces of work where the scene you created had to convey a tale or story.
My first creation was a story about my three younger brother and a pizza I made for them when our mother was going to stay out late. I was responsible for making our dinner. She told me to make sure I served peas that night. I explained I was making pizza and she, again, told me to give them peas. She got very upset with my pizza response and began cursing. I agreed to serve the peas.
That night, I poured the entire can of peas over the pizza.
My brothers never forgot the night I made a beautiful homemade pizza and then dumped slimy canned peas all over it.
The story plate showed this.
My next story plate was about my large marmalade cat that enjoyed bananas. No really big story behind this... just a cat and a banana.
I still have both pieces.
I learned how to make orbs from pinch pots and how to raku. I loved both classes.
I later joined a clay group in Oregon. It was more for socializing than creating... so,
I bought my own kiln and started working at home.
Last month, a friend of mine told me about a new pottery place that opened in Crescent City, California. It is called the Talking Crow. We stopped by and signed up for a two day tile class. Despite the fact I have worked in clay for a few years, I love the opportunity to see what others are doing and to improve my skills.
I went to the first session today. It was probably the best clay class I have taken. The instructor was excellent. She was positive and informative. She showed several methods for making tiles.
1) Burnishing leaves into clay and sponging a different color slip over it.
2) Cutting around the leaf.
3) Cutting the leaf itself out.
4) Adding different color clays onto the tile and using the slab roller to push the clay into the tile.
5) Adding molded pieces.

It was fun! Everyone in the class was enjoying themselves.

I can't wait for the next class to see the finished work.

As for my bowls, I am currently working on. I glazed them and they are in kiln right now.
Oh and after today's class, I tried something new. Since they are beach bowls, I added sand to each bowl after glazing them. I can't wait to see the results in the morning.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Starfish and Kelp Pottery Bowls

I spent the last few warm days creating new pottery bowls. They are hand built. I have bisque fired two batches at cone 05. I will work this weekend to glaze and fire the next two batches. I can't wait to see the results and the response. I will post pictures when they are complete.

If you are interested in purchasing these items, please see Panel 5 at the Manley Art Center located in downtown Brookings, Oregon. They will be available Sept 30, 2008.

I will also have paintings and cards available. The painting for this month is called "Tin Can Flowers". This is a plein air oil painting on watercolor paper. I did a series of these one afternoon in my workshop located on the Oregon coast.

The cards are watercolor prints of cats. I usedbright colors and leave my pencil lines. I hope you get a chance to come by the Manley Art Gallery and see my work.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Inspiration

I love living on the beautiful coast and taking my time exploring different art forms.

This week I am repurposing watercolor paper into jewelry with a friend, Jeanie Gordon.

I take old painting and cover them with acrylic. I seal with a acrylic sealer.

I punch holes at one end and add needs or other pieces such as painted plastic.

I add an earring and the piece is completed.