Setting Goals

One of the most difficult things I've found for me is knowing what to do in the studio.

I know that sounds oxymoronic, since I love being in the studio making things, and could spend all my time there doing just that if I could.  But to tell the truth, because of the fact that I'm at an odd place in life it's often difficult to know what to focus on in my studio work.  So for now I've decided to make a list.  Hopefully this will allow me to develop my work while not wasting $$ on firing work that isn't up to par.  One of the nicest things about clay is its recyclability. If I focus on these things, maybe I'll improve and keep on making better artwork, be it functional or sculptural.  So here it goes!

1. Better Forms - taking inspiration from potters I like and constantly looking for forms that are both more aesthetically pleasing, and at the same time better functionally.

2. Cleaner - not less clay mess but finished, clean, fingerprint free work that looks more professional and clean.  

3. Repetition - working on getting better at creating sets of things... size and form.

4. Finishing - working on design elements, additions, and other ways of making forms more interesting.  Include painted/drawn additions, handles and lugs, sprigged decorations, and better turned feet.

Just a few things to start but, I think that they are a  good place to start to develop my artwork further and keep my vision going forward.  

We will see how things progress...

Classes again!

My classes start again tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited!

Should be fun!

DAM fine afternoon!

This afternoon some friends from work and I took the light rail into a snowy Denver and braved the cold for the free Saturday at the Denver Art Museum.

It was the first time I had been there and the collection was spectacular!  The new building was constructed a couple years ago and is a great building filled with modern and contemporary artworks, and one of the great things was seeing so many great artists I know and love... 

And then there was the old building.  Floor after floor of art that was curated in the most fantastic way; the art was arranged by culture, and time period, but they also stuck in contemporary works of the same cultures in the exhibits as well... 

For instance, traditional native american pottery was placed right next to contemporary native american potters that I've studied.  

A contemporary Chinese painting of a goldfish was hung above a 10 foot Ming dynasty table.  

Needless to say it was amazing and a blast to experience.

It also got me super excited to get back into the studio and start making new work of my own!

Happy New Year!

Beth and I spent the day watching movies and catching the ball about 10 minutes before it dropped.  All in all a good day.

Hope everyone has a blessed new year!

Also, hopefully, I'll post a little more frequently.  That's on my list of things to do this year.  It's not a long list, but it has a few things on it.  :)

Night for now, and hope everyone's tomorrow is good as well.

almost

My grad applications are almost complete.  My portfolio is ready to go and I think I'm good with it.  No all I have to do is send it out and hope and pray!  

This is one of my final works that came out of the kiln... it need to get bigger (more parts to it) but you get the idea... ideally I want it to be around 9 'rocks'.  We'll see.

Fall Sale

So, my first pottery sale is almost over. Let me say it is an experience. Different expectations, different pricing and different work than anything I've done before. The last couple of weeks have been a little frantic, attempting to get work finished, glazed, sanded and (the worst) priced has left me with little time for anything else. I don't know how people who do numerous sales over a year do it.... I mean I also have 2 jobs, so that may add to the craziness, but still.

I'll let you know later how I do, hopefully I will at least recoup my entry fee!

time to reflect

The funny thing about this time of year is how reflective one can become. Maybe it's because of my recent trip and how I'm looking at where I want to go in the next year. Maybe it's because of the fact that it's fall and things are winding down outside. Maybe it's because of the fact that I'm getting ready to apply to grad schools and I'm looking back at my work, but this past few days have been very reflective for me and I've had lots to think about.

Needless to say, I'm fairly sure that there are some big decisions I have to make in the near future. And at the same time, it's kind of fun to see how my reflection will influence my artwork and what direction I will be going in.

I do have a few pictures from my trip, but they will have to wait for another day, as my camera batteries need to recharge!

Ok, enough sappy self reflection. I'm going to have a cup of tea and do some research for a new art piece I'm working on...

more work...

Since the 'baby poo plate' or 'snot plate' or whatever went over SOOOO well, I thought I'd show some more better work... or not, you decide opinionated people that you are!!

Barnacles and Sea Snail

Barnacle Bowl with Choy Rim

Tea Set for Beth: Teapot, 4 cups, creamer, sugar bowl, 2 squared plates

Black and Rutile Round Mug

Hope this is better received than the last post!

just a bit...

New work... not much else to say, but enjoy!

Frustration overwhelming

I'm sorry, I had to.
Just a little bit overwhelmed with disgust right now.
And I know politics should stay out of most discussions since we don't all agree, but this is so tragically accurate.



Lord help us all...
Don't even get me started on the debate.

Snippets

* My latest attempt at the barnacles theme... I'm thinking of calling it 'Barnacles and Sea Snail'. I like that the snail is just a little surprise and not too overstated, but still gives it some sense of reality that is different than the previous ones. I'm actually kinda geeked about it.

Can you see it??

There!

And close up...

* I was watching 'Stranger than Fiction' while I worked on the new piece Saturday night, and again I was struck by the genius and humanity of that movie. Seriously, how great.


And my favorite line of all: "Harold Crick lived his life."

* Spent time with Jess, Justin, Benjamin, and Philip Saturday afternoon... Philip slept on my shoulder for a while and he was too cute. All warm and snuggly... and after his bath smelled like wonderful baby.

* Sunday went to a friends in the afternoon to watch the Bronco's pull one out (somehow!) over the Chargers. Seriously, super game.

*For some reason, I've been having some bad headaches over the last few days. Methinks the weather has been a changing quite a bit.

* I'm debating setting up a website (or having someone do it for me) so that I can have a place where people can look to buy my work... I've had about 10 questions about that in the last week. My only issue is business issues about which I have no idea. Hmmm, things to consider.

* Favorite CD of the moment: Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida' some people can't stand it (overplayed) but I think the title song is amazing. And as a whole it's a great collection of new songs...

Sunday 'relaxing'

So part of my Sunday afternoon consisted of working in my makeshift studio at the kitchen table. Why the kitchen you ask? Well there's no tv in the basement, and while there is radio, when I'm planning on working for many hours at home, it's nice to pop in a movie and have some background noise going on. Yes, that's an upside down crate being used to elevate the pot so I can work on it at almost eye level. I find that if I work above the pot, it always ends up being top heavy (in other words, lots of additions at the top, and none near the bottom!)



This is it about halfway finished... the largest and middle size barnacles have been added, the smaller and tiny ones need to be attached.











These are my water cup, my pretzel bowl, and my tea mug... essentials in studio work. Though the pretzels may be interchanged for other snacky treats... but cheese puffs or doritoes tend to leave cheesy residue on the clay... yes, it has happened.








Well, here it is 'finished'. And by that I mean I'm done with more green additions... I think. And while it may not look all that different from the halfway, it is... trust me, there are dozens more barnacles on here than there were.










And all wrapped up, ready to dry slowly and head back to the studio for firing.

Most likely, this will be another red iron oxide exterior, with some dark glaze on the interior. But I'm debating doing something different. Oh, and the rim is something new I've been doing. It's a rolled rim, though I alter it once I do the roll...






And that's my Sunday accomplishment... which took a nice 7 hours of additions to the already thrown and turned/trimmed vessel . Oh the difference between a 5 minute bowl, and an 8 hour barnacle pot.

Quartz inversion and other technicalities

I had the day off and after making breakfast for Beth, I spent most of my day reading, and really trying to retain a lot if fascinating information on glazing. I've had the book I'm re-reading for a while, but the fun thing is to really absorb the information that is presented. A lot of it can be fairly technical in that the chemistry and physics of glazes is pretty intense, and yet it is so fun to learn.

In the studio, I've been trying to find a difficult balance between the creation of functional ware, for sale and for demonstration purposes, and my own more sculptural work. Right now I have to really plan my time for adding the hand built additions that I really like onto my pots. As of today, I have two large pots in the works that I'm planning on adding barnacles to. I've gone back to the barnacles for two reasons: one, I really like them! and two, I don't think I've really explored the potential of the barnacle form.

So much to do, and time flies! Speaking of which, I'm hoping to make a trip later in October to visit a couple grad schools. Hopefully it will end with acceptance later in the year (or early next!) but for now I need to focus and apply myself to my work... and it helps that it is such a nice distraction from retail!

More new work, finally

New work from June, July and August... I finally had time to photograph!

President Jimmy Carter!

So, you are all aware that the DNC is happening in Denver this week. And if you aren't, open a newspaper, please.

Anyway, so one of the dignitaries that is making an appearance is President Jimmy Carter. I'm bringing this up, not just because I like peanuts, but because on Wednesday, Carter, his wife and a few other delegates are taking time out of their busy schedules to plant some trees in Aurora. Specifically at Bicentennial Park, home of the Bicentennial Art Center where I teach!
No, I won't be able to go as the Secret Service is closing the center for safety, but if you watch your local or national news, I'm sure you will see some footage of Carter et al. planting trees and if you look carefully you may see the BAC, a small brown building with perhaps a mural on the side, which is where I work!

So stay tuned and keep your ears open! Its day one of the DNC and things are already crazy!

Abject loathing: a story of my feelings

So again, no posts for a month and then this.

Today was the worst day of retail I've worked. It was our 'Denim Event' with low low prices and even lower customer IQ's.

My question is this: What is so hard to understand about '3 pairs of jeans per customer'?

No, you may not get in each line and buy 18 pairs of jeans. No, you may not have 3 boys, 3 girls, 3 mens, and 3 womens jeans. No you may not give the lady behind you 20 bucks to buy your 4th, 5th and 6th pairs of jeans.

And finally, when I call you on cheating (ie breaking the rules and in essence stealing) don't call me stupid, interrupt me and talk down to me; don't glare at me and keep insulting me because I didn't let you get your way; and you better not lie to me and tell me 'I'm just holding these for a friend' when I saw you buy them 20 minutes ago in another line.

I'm not stupid, and telling you the rules is not a sign of stupidity. Your refusing to listen to them and interrupting me and shushing me and treating me like crap is unacceptable.

Hi there! I work retail, but I'm still human and have feelings. Calling me names and treating me poorly is not right. Part of me wants you to come back to the store, just so I can so everything in my power to give you as hard a time as you gave me today... oh yes, karma's a killer, and you will get yours!

Can you tell 9 hours at The Shirt Folding Store took it's toll today?
Maybe I'll get some photos taken of my recent-ish work and get those posted later this week. That will at least be happy!

Month off

ok, so I've been slacking, but at least I've come back with some fun stuff!
More to come, as soon as I search the internet in all my free time...
:)

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

I liked Feist before, but this...
Genius, simply genius.

Vacation

finally a week off
i'm very glad, and ready for a change of pace
can't wait to see the kiddos in Chicago
hooray!

one year!

I've been in Denver for one year now.
Kinda hard to imagine, but it's true.
It's been good. I've learned a lot about myself. Got a decent job. Found out that the mountains look pretty in the snow. Found out that I love clay more than I thought. And made some good friends while I was at it.
Now, at one year, I realize that I also have some goals that I need to set, like a timeline for getting back to grad school. But that too, will come.