I Like These

Sometimes being an artist can be exhausting. My mind spins at a warp speed with dozens of ideas at one time. It is not fun. But when I can calm the flow of thought a little bit, I am able to create at a good pace. 

Here are some new small dishes that I made using the new techniques used from the recent workshop I attended. I am happy to have some new colors and surfaces to explore!

First, I created these forms using pinch pot techniques. Basically, hand-forming. Once I got into a rhythm, it was very relaxing.

After bisque firing the pieces, I used glazes and underglazes to decorate. The sky was the limit here. The colors stay true, but soften a bit. I am still learning more about this method and enjoying every minute of it.

Maiolica Watercolor Workshop

On February 22, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop taught by the lovely and talented Laurie Curtis of Point Reyes, CA. Laurie has been a ceramic artist for over 15 years and creates beautiful hadmade pottery featuring subtle and delicately painted fruit and botanical themes painted on maiolica funtional wares. Her pieces are constructed from Italian terracotta clay with a white base glaze. Motifs are painted on the surface of the unfired glaze using pigment stains and underglazes. The effect of this watercolor style painting on her pieces offers depth and uniqueness to all of her work. I really like the painterly style of this technique and wish to explore it further in my own work.

Maiolica Bowl by Laurie Curtis

Laurie Curtis' Studio

Learning new techniques from other artists and connecting with creative people really gives me a boost and inspires me to push myself in new directions. Please check out Laurie's other workshops, which she offers ongoing throughout the year. The setting is peaceful and the views are fantastic in the coastal community of Point Reyes. And Laurie is very generous with her sharing of information. Below are some photos of pieces before and after kiln firing. Also check out Laurie's video of the technique! (Links do not show up in Internet Explorer).

Tile and small bowl decorated with white glaze, stains, and underglazes before firing.

Plate decorated with white glaze, underglazes, stains and wax resist over cat figure before firing. 

Cat plate and bowl after kiln firing.

Tile before kiln firing with scraffito.

A New Painting

It has been a while since I had the time to sit and paint. I wanted to share it with you and show you some of the progression in creating it. I used transparent watercolors, gouache, acrylic, colored pencil and ink. Stay tuned for more new work coming soon. Enjoy the view!

Paying It Forward

One day, late in January, this post appeared in my Facebook news feed. It was a large block of text and that caught my attention. I see dozens of news feed posts every day on the FB feed, and this one stuck out from the others. It didn’t have any glitzy photo or a cute puppy with big eyes. Here is the post from January 24, 2014:

To start this year off in a loving way, I'm participating in this Pay-It-Forward initiative:- the first 5 people who comment on this status with "I'm in" will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year - anything from a book, a ticket, something home-grown or made, a postcard, absolutely any surprise! There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I... find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy. These 5 people must make the same offer in their FB status. Copy this text on your profile (don't share) so we can form a web of connection and kindness. Let's do more nice and loving things for each other in 2014, without any reason other than to make each other smile and to show that we think of each other. Here's to a more enjoyable, more friendly and love-filled year xoxo

I cannot even remember who initially posted it. It only took me a few moments to read the post and decide to participate. I quickly imagined what kind of piece I would send to the 5 people that decided to take this journey with me:  a handmade Valentine! As soon as I re-posted the Pay –It-Forward Initiative, I had my five fellow  travelers. Upon commenting, “I’m in!” these individuals also commit to carrying on the paying it forward movement by posting the info on their own page and gathering their own peeps.

Just think what a little thing like this could do for the world. Spreading a bit of cheer and loving thought around the globe! I challenge you to consider taking a small step in your own lives and beginning your own “Pay-It-Forward” project. I have had a great time creating special artworks to send out to my participants.

 

Another Collaboration!!

We had so much fun combining our hands and hearts together, Christine Phelps and I made another artwork!! This jolly fellow is available for purchase in my Etsy shop just in the "nick" of time.

Crafted with great care and love, made from fired ceramic, spun cotton, and Paperclay, this piece is a lovely collectible, not to mention just great eye candy. Please refer to my shop for price and more details. Merry Christmas!!

And the Winner is........

The winner for the Gelli Arts 6 x 6 plate giveaway is ................

SHARON LANDON!!!

Congratulations Sharon and a BIG THANKS to all who participated in left a comment here. I wish I could give you all a Gelli Plate.

If you are Sharon Landon, please contact me with your shipping info.

Gelli Plate Giveaway

I'm excited about Gelli plates! It is a newer kind of printing plate that you can use to create monotypes right at home! It is made from a polymer material. It works well with acrylic paint and cleans up easily. Read more about it here:  http://www.gelliarts.com/pages/faq#sixteen.  There are great video tutorials on the Gelli Arts blog as well as YouTube.
Think of the possibilities.........your own prints, collage, journal pages/covers, fine arts.......your imagination is the limit!

I will be GIVING AWAY one 6" x 6" Gelli plate on my blog October 25th! All you need to do to enter this giveaway is to leave a comment why you want a Gelli plate and what you would do with it. Winner chosen at random and will be notified. The actual Gelli plate will be shipped to you from Gelli Arts.

 
So let's have some FUN and create Gelli prints!!!

Vintage Halloween Collector

Read a little interview about me at Vintage Halloween Collector's blog! This is a great blog to find great Halloween items and learn the history of some of the vintage décor we all treasure.

East Meets West

It was a fortunate day when I met artist Christine Phelps via an Ebay transaction some 10 plus years ago. We both admired each other's work, but were timid to communicate. One day I decided to send her an email praising her folk art that I coveted on the computer screen. Once we made contact, we never have stopped talking. Having long phone conversations about art and creative process take up a lot of minutes and there is still time for the stuff of good friends. This friendship is one of my life's great treasures from California (Sharon) to Connecticut (Christine).

We have been tossing around the idea of collaborating for awhile now. This is our first piece together! I am SO excited about the possibilities of two perfectionists putting their creative hats on and going for the gusto.

I work in clay, paint, and like to bead. Christine works in just about everything from paint to spun cotton and does it well. She is developing her surface designs and patterns, so watch out! We hope you like our new work and look forward to more in the future.

This piece is available in my Etsy shop!

Halloween Boo-Tique!

Please visit my Etsy shop and pick yourself out a treat that you will love for all eternity.
OPEN NOW!!
 
There are plenty of Halloween goodies to delight!

Tinsel & Treasures!

I will be at the Tinsel & Treasures art show this Saturday, October 5 with many new pieces and a lot of Halloween designs too! I hope to see you there. Please refer to the website for the address to the Veteran's Memorial Building in Danville, CA for more info and see the list of other artists on display.

Waiting to meet you..........

at Halloween & Vine!! Be there if you dare!

Sneaky peeks.............

I know, I know. It's been a while since I have visited this screen. I am SORRY! But I am back and ready to share all of the newest and most exciting works to date. Please visit my Show Schedule page too and see where I may be popping up next. Currently, I am getting ready for Halloween & Vine on 9/28, and Tinsel & Treasures 10/5. Whew! It's gonna be a busy month.

Sneak Peeks

Here are some of my newest friends waiting to meet you this Saturday, June 15 at the Northern California Art by Fire Show/Sale!!

Shepard Garden & Art Center
3330 McKinley Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Northern California Art By Fire Show/Sale at the Garden

You are invited and encouraged to stop by the NOCA (Northern California Art By Fire) Show/Sale at the Garden. This show is located next to a beautiful park with ducks and a rose garden. Our group, NOCA features handmade pottery and glass artworks created by its members. The show is this Saturday, June 15!!

Here's the info for the show:
Shepard Garden & Art Center
3330 Mc Kinley Blvd.
Sacramento, CA
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

I have new work and new designs to present to you.........I hope you can stop by!!