I have been using porcelain all year, and it took a while to realize I wanted a darker clay body. Thats when i found a recipe for chocolate porcelain while i was at school. It was great while it lasted, but I've officially finished up the last of it! Since it's not a clay that's readily available by my suppliers, I decided to give earthenware a go.
And I love it! It's warmer, cozier, and definitely more my vibe. I'm surprised it took me so long to try it out! Now that I know my love for red clay is real, I'll be trying a few different ones available to me. What's really cool is most of the red clays around here are locally sourced. Here's to red clay adventures!
0 Comments
When I'm putzing around the studio and don't know what to draw on a pot, I let my mind wander. I lay out all my colors and play with patterns. I try different ways of mark making, with different tools.
I've always loved clouds, so naturally rainbows come next. I might sit on this idea for a bit! What would you like to see drawn on a pot? The last month of the postbac was dedicated to exploration and my professor was adamant about hand building my forms to match my aesthetic. During that month I gave it a go but hated the outcome. I think It was because I was working in white clay and only tried a half a dozen forms. BUT now that I'm working my way through all of my left over clay so I can get to what I REALLY want, I tried slabs again. And I kinda love it. Something about working in a richer, warmer, darker clay body has me swooning over these wabi sabi playful pots. I tried slabs for a few reasons besides the looks. I don't currently own a wheel, the studio doesn't have heating (and who knows how long I'll have access to it....just saying), nor a sink, and sometimes I don't really like throwing *gasp*.
But with hand building everything, I'm not dependent on a wheel or a location that can tolerate it. I can make where ever I can take my rolling pin! Also, I really reeeaally missed hand building. That's how I made all of my sculptures! So, here's to slabs :D So My time at UMass Dartmouth has come to and end and a new chapter has begun! This will be where I work for the foreseeable future. My friends Miguel Benitez and Ninh Truong are also working out of this lovely garage set up, all thanks to Miguel and his mom! It has taken a little getting used to, but It's great to be sharing a studio with my clay mates from undergrad once again :)
I had a blast! I really enjoyed Old Wethersfield--it's so picturesque. I was nervous about setting up the tent, but a few vendors graciously lent a hand, setting the tone for a lovely festival. I'm looking forward to adding to my set up!
As part of the curriculum for UMass Dartmouth's post baccalaureate program, we have to find a location and put together a show. It proved to be quite the challenge, but we made it work. I am so so so happy with the results of our efforts! The reception had a great turn out and some of my friends and family even made the drive up from CT <3 A huge thank you again to all of those who came by and made the show possible! NCECA is the event I look forward to every year! It is the BEST event for a young ceramicist eager for inspiration. What is it you may ask? It's a four day conference focused on the education of ceramics. AKA a muddy gathering of people who love clay in a city who's willing to have their downtown transformed into a dirty paradise. The committee gets as many galleries and businesses as they can to showcase sculptural and functional wares. In addition to that, there's panel discussions, demos, workshops, schools/residency/programs to talk to, vendors in the industry--not to mention all the parties that go on! It's really great. This year it was in Kansas City, MO. I made sure to try out some BBQ, because what does CT know about BBQ? :P Anywhosies, here's some photos from my trip! I'm TOTALLY looking forward the NCECA 2017, which will be in Portland OR! It'll be my first time on the west coast :). The conference hops all around the country so it doubles as a way for me to see different parts of the USA.
One last thing, The Phantastics played for the Potter's Dance (another annual thing NCECA does) and you HAVE to check them out. Slightly obsessed. I bought a shirt and a CD. No regrets. Maybe I'll see you there next year! Once a month Get Baked and The Nutmeg Collective host a pop up market and next month I'm in it! I went this month to see what all the hubbub is about and it's fantastic. Yummy food, chill atmosphere, and quality handmade goods to shop!
I'll be selling work from my emoticup line, as well as a few goodies from my new spongeware line. What would you like to see at my little booth? Cups? bowls? Platters? More animals? Comment below! Click here for the Facebook event page :) Earlier this month I was accepted into The Nutmeg Collective! I'm still blown away! It is a juried group of makers and artist from my home state of Connecticut who work together to build up our businesses and cultivate community in our lil' ol' state. So far this group has been such a huge blessing; we're on to great things! I was starting to get jealous of other states with their cool local happenings. Then something like this comes along and BAM!! CT is cool again. There's so much I still don't know about this state after living in it my whole life.
Be sure to check out the Facebook page, Blog, and Instagram to stay in the loop about markets, fairs, and shows we'll be participating in. Cheers! There's been a lot of discussion lately whether creatives should be on snapchat, and I want to chime in! I personally love sharing my day to day with everyone in my snap story :) SIX reasons to consider using Snapchat to build your creative community:
So are you on snapchat? Who do you follow? Comment below, I'd love to know! Here's an example of one of my snap stories: |
AuthorArtist and maker discussing art and making. Peeks into my studio life, professional tips I stumble upon, and discussions about contemporary art and craft. Archives
August 2022
|