Some More Pots

GOOD WITCH

COUPON CODE WITCH31
31% off now through Halloween in my ETSY shop!
Because I am a GOOD WITCH.

New artist statement and a few new pots

About to launch my new website that I made using Big Black Bag...
You may be able to check it out HERE... temporarily...
That and a show I was entering forced me to focus on a new "Artist Statement".
Here is my latest:

After spending many years of my life as a fashion and textile print designer, creating forms and fabrics for the human figure, I found clay.
I realized there was an entirely different creative and artistic world out there that I never could fully explore in my lifetime.
This was a world that was centered around mud.
My experience with this medium has been, and will always be, a journey.
It is something I have realized after many ups and downs since I first touched clay nine years ago.
I choose to work in a manner that stimulates me creatively.
Investigating and exploring, I may have an initial idea of where a piece is going.
But then I will veer off in a different direction to allow for a possible fresh approach or, unfortunately, a possible failure.
As Beatrice Wood said, "My life is full of mistakes. They're like pebbles that make a good road."
Moving from fashion and textile print design to “mud” was a transition I never could have predicted.
However, there actually is a thread that seems to connect my previous career with my work today.
This connection involves attention to the human form and gesture of line.
My work frequently involves a focus on this as well as the pervasive development of texture.
The human body, nature, and environment absolutely inspire me.
I am not interested in replicating these but, rather, to reinterpret their energy in my work.
My true passion is in the process of creating the work.
The hand-to-clay contact is both meditative and stimulating to my spirit.
I usually throw a form on the potter’s wheel, alter it, then allow for a period of drying.
After the drying, I continue to alter and carve interchangeably until the piece is complete.
The piece is usually bisque-fired in my electric kiln before any glazing or special firing preparations are made.
At this point I move forward with the final firing.
Experimentation remains present in this part of the process as well.
The work continues to change and evolve as I do.
Initially, I was particularly focused on creating functional forms.
Now, I have shifted to emphasizing the vessel as a sculptural vehicle.
I enjoy creating work that relates in a group, or vignette, as well as stands alone.
I envision my work going out into the world and finding its own place for others to enjoy its presence as much as I have enjoyed the process of its creation.

Here are a few more photos:

ALS= Lou Gerrig's Disease

My friend Pam, who has ALS(Lou Gerrig's Disease),was diagnosed about 5 years ago and has really hung on(her diagnosis at onset was 1-2 years at best.


****I was going to post a much more recent photo but it's pretty devastating.****


Some people(Steven Hawking) have a much slower progression.
Here is my blog post about her May 3, 2009:
(the photos appear to not work...)
Jane Fonda met her and wrote about her on her BLOG.
Today Pam is completely immobile, breathes with a trache and vent, feeding tube, everything.
She can move her left eye to the right only.
She can feel everything.
She is completely aware.
Her brain is not effected.
It is terrible.

TODAY is her BIRTHDAY.
I know there is nothing she would want more than to know that no one has forgotten how important this is to her.

We hope to see forward movement in the research to end or at least stall this disease .
(which in 10% OF THE CASES IS GENETIC and in OTHER CASES SHOW IT COULD POSSIBLY STRIKE ANYONE)
The Copper Canyon Restaurant is donating a portion of all proceeds from dining at the restaurant this week as well as cards to purchase at the bar, which will be given to her after the event.

I happen to know that ALS TDI is doing some very important work that I believe will be announced at a conference they are having in early November in Boston.
This is very exciting.
TDI is closer than ever to therapies and can only work as fast as the money comes in....

I really hope you can put this on your list of causes to contribute to.

***To give you a little perspective, years ago, people didn't even mention "cancer" as it was considered a death sentence.
It was not until ATTENTION and MONEY went to various cancer researches(breast- for example) that people became educated and contributed and more and more therapies were able to be developed. Today, not only can people talk about the disease openly and honestly ,but, REAL STRIDES have been made to halt and end death from horrible cancer illnesses.***

This is a real possibility for the future of people diagnosed with ALS.
Especially those NOT YET DIAGNOSED.
Please think about it and do what you can to bring awareness to this illness and possible future therapies.
NONE of us would want to see ANYONE go through what we have seen Pam and her family go through these past several years and this is a real shot at keeping that from happening.
Pam's dad died from this illness. She has 4 boys.

Sorry for my soap box.
You just never know unless you try.

I just feel that, if nothing else, we can continue to try and help work toward a progressive end ,or at least a HALT, to ALS and all that it means.
If you can, please donate HERE:

Any amount is appreciated.
And most importantly, realize that this is a cause that needs ATTENTION.
With so many people with illness dying before anyone knows what it is or how they can help, they really struggle to get noticed.
Tell people about it.
Let them know what it is.
EDUCATE THEM.

Some Oldies but Goodies for SALE

BIGSALE10 is the coupon code in my shop until I pull it!
It gives you10% off everything!
Making room for new work!
These are some of the pieces you will find:
IN MY ETSY SHOP!

Uncommon Goods Challenge

Hey guys!
Just thought I should tell you about this OPPORTUNITY!
I will probably go for it my self but either way my potter/ceramic friends should know about it!
So go check it out!!!

Revisitting: electric,red and,raw

These were where I was going pre- wood fire... and I need to get back here a bit I believe...
At least when I want to fire at home...

You win some... You lose some.. again.

WELLLLLLLLL...
Not thrilled with my glaze attempts in the electric kiln firing I just did... These piece REALLY do not do well with glaze.... I mean, the could be glazes all over...but I feel like thy become too ...shiny? finished? blurred??? Back to the drawing board... maybe they are left unglazed or stained with other color clays or stains, or oxides...rubbed in... Whatever it is, it has to be more...subtle.
SOOOOO...
I will not be showing you photos of the yuck...
INSTEAD....
I played with my white balance and macro settings and here are a few tasty photos from the September wood firing!