by Carole Epp | Dec 16, 2009 | Uncategorized
There are a few good reasons why I’m looking into applying for a residency at Medalta International AIR program; one of the reasons however is unrelated to making any of my own work (or maybe not) – it’s to go and meet today’s artist. I’m completely taken by Aaron’s work and the translucency of the clay body he’s developed. (yes he developed it, you can’t buy it in a store…sadness) Maybe if I get to go to Medicine Hat, i’ll find a way to get my hands on the recipe – as I reckon it’s got my beloved Southern Ice Porcelain beat….
About the Artist
“Inspired by the translucent nature of porcelain and the deep rich colours of his glazes, Aaron Nelson creates unique designs that are influenced by traditional Asian aesthetics as well as modern European design.
Currently Aaron is working with experimental, highly translucent soft paste porcelain that matures at an extremely low temperature. His interest in this new material, for which there are few historical precedents, grows out of a concern for the environment and reducing the carbon footprint of his practice. With his new porcelain body, he is able to marry the gesture, spontaneity and aesthetics of hand-thrown ceramics with material a generally associated with industrial ceramics. He is intrigued by the capacity of ceramics to engage global ideas that are both ethical and technological in nature.
After previous studio practices in Victoria, Chicago, Vancouver and Montana, Aaron Nelson is currently the Artistic Director of the Shaw International Centre for Contemporary Ceramics in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Aaron has taught in Canada and the US.”
You can contact Aaron about his amazing work or about the Medalta International Artists in Residence through their website www.medalta.org
or
Aaron Nelson
Artistic Director
e. [email protected]
(oh and keep yours eyes peeled for info about the Medalta AIR, i’ll be posting the 2010 info very soon…)
by Carole Epp | Dec 16, 2009 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
January 20, 2010 Entry Deadline
Armory Art Center, Florida, West Palm Beach
Exhibition Dates: March 2–16, 2010
Open to all craft media focusing on the theme of fun, wild ‘n wacky teapots, sugar & creamers, tea cups, sandwich plates, spoons, forks, knives and cake platters. Mad Hatter’s Tea-Party is open to all artists in the United States and its territories. Works must not exceed 36 inches or 90cm in any direction. Artwork entered should not be so fragile that shipment of public display is potentially harmful to the work or viewer. Art must be properly prepared and presented for display.
Accepted artwork which differs greatly from the slides may be disqualified. No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition. CDs of accepted work will become the property of the Armory Art Center. This is an open jurying and all slides are viewed anonymously. All accepted work must be available for sale.
The Artist will receive 50% of the retail price of all works sold. Proceeds from the Mad Hatter’s Tea-Party will benefit the Artists-in-Residence Program at the Armory Art Center. Participants wishing to donate a greater percentage of their sales are invited to do so. For more information and to download prospectus visit: Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
by Carole Epp | Dec 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
Last month when I was posting about some great Etsy finds I posted some of the work of today’s artist, Laura B. Cooper. You can see that post here. I loved the subtlety of her work, how a minimalist approach to decoration really worked to highten the reading of her forms and textures. So it’s with pleasure that I post some new pieces of hers today. Enjoy!
In her words:
“My name is Laura B. Cooper and I am a ceramic artist based out of Athens, Georgia, where I live with my husband and daughter.
The work I am currently focusing on deals mainly with gestural interpretations of various types of vessels. I am interested in texture, repetition, subtleties, and cadence that can be found in forms. I also find that irregularities which may disrupt the form and throw the viewer off a bit to be very fascinating.”
Make sure to stop by her Etsy shop for more images and to purchase her work.
by Carole Epp | Dec 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
When you’re away from an academic environment, whether you were there as a student or faculty (i’ve been both and I miss both tremendously) studio practice seems to be so focused on productivity and we (I speak for myself here) rarely afford ourselves the time for creative research, ie: messing about in the mud and trying out fun things with the kilns. When your livelyhood depends on successful firings and pleasing your customers and gallery owners, sometimes we miss out. It’s hard to remind ourselves to play, even a bit each day, as a warm up even. Maybe something I should add to my new years resolution list…
Anyhow I got thinking about this after looking at the remarkable work of today’s artist: John Dorsey and reading his blog dedicated to an interesting collaboration and an even more interesting kiln design…it reminded me of the community spirit, collaboration and fun that I miss from an academic environment. Time for this tired brain to be re-invigorated with a residency I think.
Here’s a bit from the blog:
“Welcome to the Green Fire blog where we will be bringing you the on going story of the Nobles and Harvard kiln building collaboration. This summer ceramic artist Masakuza Kusakabe conducted a workshop where participants helped build his innovative smokeless wood kiln.”
The kiln is a small, woodfired kiln that is smokeless, designed by Masasaku Kusakabe. This project is a unique collaboration between Noble and Greenough School, where John teaches, and Harvard University Ceramics Program, under Nancy Selvage.
And here’s John’s stunning work:
More images of his work are available on his website:
http://johndorseyceramics.com/home.html
In his email John told me that, “This collaboration has really changed my approach to my work. The availability of wood fire is so exciting and the immersion into Japanese ceramics in recent months has significantly charged my batteries. We’ll see where it all ends up.”
Indeed I’ll be looking forward to hearing more from John about the kiln as well as the impact of the collaboration on his studio practice. Please keep us posted John!
by Carole Epp | Dec 14, 2009 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday
Pete Pinnell
January 18, 2010, Entry Deadline
The Western Colorado Center for the Arts will present a juried/ invitational competition of ceramic artists from across the country.
Exhibition dates are May 14th – June 26th 2010
Deadline for entry is January 18, 2010.
Juror will be Pete Pinnell.
This exhibition is open to all clay artists residing in the U.S.
Artists may enter up to three works, which use clay as the focus material. Works must not exceed 48 inches in any dimension (exceptions will be handled on a case by case basis). Works must have been executed over the last two years and not have been previously exhibited at this location. Artwork entered should not be so fragile that shipment or public display is harmful to the work or the viewer. Accepted work which differs significantly from the submitted images will be disqualified from the exhibition. No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the closing date of the exhibition.
This is an open jurying: all images are viewed in an anonymous manner. The Art Center encourages all works to be for sale. Artwork must not be sold prior to shipment to The Art Center unless “NFS” is clearly stated on the entry form.
For more information call 970-243-7337, visit www.gjartcenter.org or email [email protected]
About the Artist
You can contact Aaron about his amazing work or about the Medalta International Artists in Residence through their website www.medalta.org
