Glaze Testing = Glorious Fun.

Not.
Try as I may...to love love it...it's tedious...but, the tests are in the kiln...
Except for my little glaze "faux pas" that I accidentally(yes I am a ditz!!!!) mixed in Ball Clay (OM4) instead of the recommended Kaolin...which I had been using EPK for anyway... well..all of the dry ingredients and colorants are mixed for two separate colors but I am thinking I can save them by adding Alumina Hydrate...a Facebook compadre made this suggestion...now i need to figure out how much to add...

These are the last batch "test tiles", etc.

















Here the newly mixed glazes that are being tested in my kiln....

















And here is all of the lonely,naked bisque waiting to be picked up, dressed up and fired!

A Couple of Special Orders and glaze testing...

I will spare you the glaze test photos because...honestly...they won't mean anything to you ...
I am trying to figure out layering of glazes that will add some depth and dimension to the work and it's a bit of a struggle but...I will press on...also...trying to move into to some darker tones without losing the movement/sculptural quality/detail of the piece... For instance... I am afraid glossy black just looks like a big blob of glossy black...working with mattes...and glossies...Colors that blend...not real harsh color changes on the pieces... I tend to feel that subtle color changes are the ways to go with my pieces. I don't want a block of color, big changes...big contrast or you lose a lot of what i feel is the "essence" of my forms... now I'm just rambling...
but here are a couple of the pieces....
(The darker purple was a request...)

OFF TOPIC... AGAIN...

I know this is off topic...
AGAIN.
BUT...
I spent the day making glazes...
AND
I finally got some great photos back from the Bar Mitzvah...
SO...
I thought I would share...
BEFORE...
I deal with more glazes...
TOMORROW.
Here we are all dressed up for the ceremony:
Me and Mike












Me and the Boys.


















And then the evening...

A sample of the floral arrangements...













Here's the four of us...













And a girl deserves a dance if I can get my dad to NJ...


















And I love to swing with my little guy...

















And Jake and The Band Rocked out..
(I would tell you the name of the band but it has changed SEVERAL times...)












And Dad even picked up one of the give-aways to brave the snow storm!!!

happy ♥ day!!!!

I don't have MUCH to say... we have been away snowboarding for a week and had a great time...
Ready to dig back into my clay and make some glazes but I've been up to my ears in laundry.
Still dealing with Dad stuff... just another part of my life now...
Heading down to Baltimore for the day on Wednesday...
Praying there won't be new snow issues.
Loved seeing Apollo Ono ...that speed skating is CRRRRRAZY!
I will eventually get back into posing more pottery/ceramic stuff...
Check out this article about the Harvey Meadows Gallery that I thought was cool!

Have you seen the latest?

Not quite my new direction...but moving the glazes along... here are a few new things in my Etsy Shop !

Clay and Blogs: Telling a Story

I've been invited to participate in a special show with potters from throughout the United States and abroad. Entitled "Clay and Blogs: Telling a Story" .
I can't tell you how excited I will be to show with these people!
Excellent work and super cool on-line comrades!

Here's the info:

Clay and Blogs: Telling a Story
Arts Council of Moore County, Campbell House
Southern Pines, North Carolina
Opening reception: October 1st 2010
6 to 8pm

It will also include an online element as well.
The Online sale will start October 3rd.
That's good news for everyone who may not be able to make it to the on-site opening.
we will eventually be able to post a link.

Big thanks to Meredith Heywood for putting this together!
Check out her blog:
http://whynotpotteryblog.blogspot.com/

Here is the incredible line-up of potters who will be showing:
(I think there are 48 of us!)

http://oohmyheck.blogspot.com/
http://anniesingletary.com/
http://claygarden.wordpress.com/
http://averypotteryandtileworks.blogspot.com/
http://supportyourlocalpotter.blogspot.com/
http://bulldogpottery.blogspot.com/
http://musingaboutmud.blogspot.com/
http://chrislutherblog.blogspot.com/
http://artmakinginthenorth.blogspot.com/
http://danfinneganpottery.blogspot.com/
http://slipware.blogspot.com/
http://garysthirdpotteryblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.hannahmcandrew.blogspot.com/
http://studiotouya.blogspot.com/
http://hatchvillepottery.blogspot.com/
http://jeffmartinceramics.blogspot.com/
http://jennifermeccapottery.blogspot.com/
http://jimgottuso.wordpress.com/
http://colepottery.blogspot.com/
http://joytannerpottery.blogspot.com/
http://juditavill.blogspot.com/
http://mountainhousestudios.blogspot.com/
http://henhousepottery.blogspot.com/
http://potsapalooza.blogspot.com/
http://kittyshepherd.blogspot.com/
http://carpenterpottery.blogspot.com/
http://bluestarrgallery.blogspot.com/
http://whynotpotteryblog.blogspot.com/
http://mattgrimmitt.blogspot.com/
http://www.clayandglassblog.com/
http://feffakookan.blogspot.com/
http://michaelklinepottery.blogspot.com/
http://fromthegrounduppots.blogspot.com/
http://www.patriciagriffinstudio.com/
http://paulthepotter.blogspot.com
http://powenliu.blogspot.com/
http://bumcrane.blogspot.com/
http://theponderingpotter.blogspot.com/
http://ronphilbeckpottery.com/
http://www.timayerspottery.com/
http://tgraypots.blogspot.com/
http://tsbroome.blogspot.com/
http://fetishghost.blogspot.com/

I've been "Bowling"!

Just a little CORNY pottery humor....

Slowly but surely...

Still working....
Trying to be "productive"...
while dealing with all of the other things in my life
that continue to pull me in 15 different directions...

I "got my carving on" here:


















Adding a little personal info... my son turned 13 and had his Bar Mitzvah Dec. 19th....in a 1 1/2 feet of snow....
So... I have had my hands full ...
This was on his actual b-day Dec. 20th and Nice try but NO I did not make the cake!
You might be able to see some of our pottery collection in the background...
That's why I sell my work...to buy others!

New Year! What's new?

Ok... so...HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!
I have a lot to say and no time to say it...So...
I am working on being more mindful and PRESENT in this new year.
I hope to see more fluidity and freedom in MY work this year and I'm moving toward seeing that happen.
I challenge YOU to tell me what you hope for OR are working on this year!

Fun Front Page of Etsy Today!

With my Tsunami Sushi Set pieces!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Great New Online Gallery

The Laurel Tracey Gallery in Red Bank has just open this online gallery called ...interestingly enough : Laurel Tracey Online !

It is so great because it has small works available from FABULOUS artists and once you buy a taste of them in a smaller size like this:











Elwood Howell. Red Bird
Elwood Howell
Acrylic on Panel 7 x 7 in Framed
Price: $350.00

You may be interested in in a larger piece...Like this... at
The Laurel Tracey Gallery


Green-Blue, 2009. Acrylic on linen, 40 x 38 inch (Call for pricing)

They are launching the on-line site with a gallery opening:
This Saturday: November 21st.
6pm -9pm
at
10 White Street
Red Bank, NJ
732-224-0760
Check it out!

What a TREASURE!

I was contacted by a lovely ETSY person to tell me that I was featured in her Treasury!
It is so beautiful and cheery during this INCLEMENT weather...that I just wanted to share... And of course show you my Lidded Vessel!
Enjoy!

Always nice to get a little press...

A little something in the news...
My sushi Set is in the Asbury Park Press Magazine 4074 Nov/Dec issue scroll through to find my sushi set...

You can find the whole set to order on ETSY .

Or a small portion available now!
Also on Etsy!

A little something on this dreary,rainy day...

Something to put your liquid in?

I posted some new drinking vessels on Etsy.
What I like about this is the way I played with strontium crystal magic spraying it with my glazes and how i have started to develop some crystals and blush reminiscent of a gas kiln firing... I'm not saying its the SAME... just interesting....

New Eye Candy from the Kiln.

Just thought I'd share...
They are all on my ETSY site!

Back in the swing!

Getting back in the game my friends...
I have a bisque fire going and plans to glaze fire...
Yes... I am back...
Frankly, I never left.
I've listed a few new pieces on ETSY ...

Boy Oh Boy...Where to Begin?

PHOTO OF MY NEW HOME:



















I don't want to get TOO personal here as it's "inappropriate"...HOWEVER....(I always have a "however",) I have had an overwhelming experience over the past 6 1/2 weeks and occasionally my fellow bloggers blog a little about "life lesson" stuff... So...I am tempted.
My dad(who shall remain NAMELESS) suffered a heart attack and stroke...Well...first the stroke and then the heart attack about 16 hours later...he had SEVEN stents put in the arteries leading to his heart... I flew (in my car...)from New Jersey to Baltimore when I got the call... and over the past few weeks I have had to take on a huge new project... it's my DAD: his care,his heath,his LIFE...etc...needless to say....IT HIT ME LIKE A TON O BRICKS....
Let me start by saying...he is doing well physically.... and his speech impairment is the main problem(generally speaking)...BUT he is getting the much needed therapy and hopefully will continue on that path....(Let me add the disclaimer that my dad was a VERY independent guy and did thing HIS WAY...his whole life...)
ANYWAY this is MY blog...SO....

I speak about his situation(with lack of detail) just to put into perspective where I am coming from. This has been HARD. My life, my family, my work/MY ART has definitely taken a backseat to the issues at hand...I'm not exactly sure how to transition back "from whence I came"...
I've had VERY few hours in the studio(oh... and I've been continuing to plan my 12 10/12th year old's Bar Mitzvah...which is sort of a big deal....).
Back to the studio part....
So ...I get in there to work on things for people that had already place orders... I try to get productive and BAM!...
Either the time runs out...or I have to run out...ya know?
I've told myself..."This too shall pass" and I try to hang in there...
But, my fellow potters and artists...YOU KNOW...it's "easier said than done"...I am itchin'...and I CAN NOT scratch appropriately...
I have also, internally, started to question my work and its direction and wonder "if this whole shaking up of things" is supposed to shake up my work as well...
Is this happening to change my whole direction... I had JUST(that morning 09/09/09) pulled out a batch of new glazes with subtle movement in the direction I was striving for...crystals were forming(subtle crystals) by layering the crystal strontium matte recipe under and over my glazes....in my ELECTRIC KILN...I was ready to take it further and...BAM!
So, lately I have reassessed my work... My "technique" that I basically developed over time... it's "clean" in it's nature...BUT it take A LOT of work to create those "clean" lines (if you know what I mean....)
There have been technical issues...trying to make the clay do things, well... things, it really doesn't want to do...
I have become more and more focussed on the refining of the process...
I am torn about logistically getting things done(being on the rundown to and from Baltimore(3 hour drive), a lot, makes it hard to make things with attachments as the drying synchronicity is ALL screwed up....
I have ideas but....I'm not too proud to listen to your thoughts..and I can't help but wonder if all of that refining takes the "LIFE" out of what I am doing...I am tempted to feel more "free" in my work(of course I'm not sure if I can handle that from a "personality" standpoint)
I have wondered (for years) if I should take my focus away from the glazes...working with more "naked" surfaces rather than DRESS them in glaze...
I have even wondered if I should explore more of my sculptural interests(really still the same body of work though) and let go of the functional work a bit. Needless to say... I feel like I'm in a blender, all shook up, on a daily basis...
All of this has made me feel rather alone... my sweet friends reach out... but as any of you know who have dealt with various issues...it's really up to YOU.
HOWEVER...I follow ALOT of your ceramic artist blogs(and other creative artist blogs) and I have followed YOUR ups and downs.
SO, I can't help but reach out to you NOW in my "Time of Need" and ask for your comments on this....Unless of course, you have all given up on me....
You are my friends(virtual...in most cases but none the less...my friends).

Back Safe and Sound...

And MY BACK is safe and sound...phew.
So the workshop rocked!
Here is an Etsy friend chatting with Chris....









Michelle Swafford- So cool to meet my "cyber-friends" in real life:
Chris Gustin is a phenomenal potter and artist and an amazing teacher...
Here he is working on a giant bowl form...that's about 30 pounds of clay:













I raised my wheel about 2 bricks higher, thanks to Aaron, our workshop assistant.
That DEFINITELY helped my back from being terrible...
I did get soreness but it was generally manageable.
The workshop was heavy on theory and although I made and bisqued about a dozen pots, I threw them all out because it was really about being a learning experience for me and I really felt that photos would suffice!














The group was great... very DIVERSE... and I also got to meet and hang a little with my buddy from Etsy: Felicia who was working on a hand building workshop!








Her workshop continues through this week... she was able to join us as my new friend Susie (this is Susie!)
















drove us to Paul Soldner's home and studio(so exciting!!!!) and I only got us a little lost... just a little...
Here is his studio... unfortunately he hasn't thrown in over 2 years (He's 88 and in a wheel chair...)













We made it to the Harvey Meadows Gallery and we were able to see wonderful examples of Chris's work... as well as many others...
Here he is:





















I managed to purchase one of his gorgeous tea bowls...WHOOT!

The workshop was a lot of fun as the people were great...III I orchestrated this Charlie's...make that Chris's Angel's shot:








(Megan,Cara,and Jolee)
But it was also extremely intense as he was able to really get us to think about what we do and why and how design interacts with the process, etc...
I must admit...a little draining as well as exhilarating!

I left to fly from Aspen to Denver on the most NAUSEATING small plane flight at 5:30pm...to fly out of Denver to Newark at 7:12 and landed at 1am on Saturday... I checked in to a Holiday Inn right off the Turnpike to get 2 Hours of sleep and my husband picked me up around 5:45am so we could head up to "Visiting Day" and my kids' camp... It was a crazy 24 hours BUT.... it was worth it to see my boys!!!!
















Now I am in SEVERE organizing mode as they return home a week from Tuesday and the summer is moving fast... The legs for my wheel won't get here until Thursday(I am meeting my mom in Philly that day and staying over with her to give her a little "get-away"... which will be great but again... tick tock....) so I am trying use my time wisely....Wish me luck!

Heading West Tomorrow!!!

Leaving on a jet plane tomorrow to Snow Mass/Aspen, Colorado tomorrow for
Chris Gustin's workshop
The Architecture of the Pot at Anderson Ranch.
Very excited! Hope the back can take it!!!
This man makes BIG vessels.... bigger than my kids...of course well... they aren't that big....for their ages... I digress....
I get the feeling he really incorporates hand building with wheel throwing so perhaps this could be just what I need right now...or not.
I'm wide open and ready to just...EXPERIENCE...