by Carole Epp | Mar 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
There was far too much to do, far too much to see, far too many lovely people to meet over the last week in Milwaukee at NCECA. It had been the Portland NCECA years ago since I had last attended the annual conference. The clay world, and my role and engagement in it had changed substantially since. Take any full time parent and artist out of their day to day and place them in the all inspiring world of exhibitions, talks, and 2 in the morning late night chats with old friends about art and the result will likely be the overwhelmed yet childlike wonder and excitement that I felt over the last week. It wasn’t an exaggeration that I felt like a kid at Christmas. Seeing some of my favorite artists’ work in the flesh meant more in depth investigation and engagement in their work. Having my eyes opened to new, vibrant and challenging art also meant that I felt I needed to spend more time researching and expanding my views on contemporary ceramics. I have had my eyes and mind opened to the value, strength and support that this inclusive clay community offers.
There were so many ideas and discussions that I want to continue here online, and hopefully over the next few weeks once the thoughts have peculated and settled a bit (and of course when i can carve out some time) I’ll try to get posting some more thoughts on the blog again. I feel like that’s been something that has been missing over the years, something I’d like to grow. Perhaps I can try harder to get some of the amazing minds of this community doing more guest posts on the blog as well. If you’re interested or know someone please drop me a line!
For now it’s time for me to dive back into the studio; for 2 reasons. One because the last week was so damn inspiring and 2 because I’ve got bare shelves and a major sale at the end of April!
Thanks to everyone that made the point of stopping me and introducing themselves. I can’t remember the last time I received so many hugs or felt so happy. It really meant the world to me.
xoxox
Carole
by Carole Epp | Mar 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
The news had spread quickly throughout conference goers about Don Reitz’s passing. There was something very touching about receiving this news at NCECA. Anyone who had known him had stories to tell. What I kept hearing over and over again was not so much about his work, but rather who he was as a man. His warmth, generosity and positive attitude were what he was most remembered for.
During the last day of the conference, while we sat together in the darkened auditorium listening to the emerging artists talks, a moment was taken for remembrance. Together we clapped in rhythm and held hands throughout the crowd, sending his soul onto the next adventure. The emotion of that moment was powerful. You could sense in that room all of the lives that he had touched.
Rest in peace Don.
The following is a quote from an artist statement of his that was included in the obituary posted by the American Craft Council. You can read it in it’s entirety here: http://craftcouncil.org/post/remembering-don-reitz
When I work I think a lot. Mostly it’s not about that which is in front of me. That action is generally a spontaneous response. I just think, tell ridiculous stories, or pretend I am the greatest artist of all time. I think about who is really forming who at this moment and other seemingly unrelated stuff, an integral component. Lately, due in part to the passing of my dear friends and heroes, I have been thinking about time. Surely the greatest gift of all, yet we take it for granted. This gift of time what shall I do with it? How much time is there? Will I waste it by worrying about the RULES, yesterday’s idea, or about laborious, extraneous techniques before I need them? I choose not to.
Over the years time has allowed me to manipulate my forms and surfaces with some degree of innate intelligence and personal satisfaction. Time, an essential ingredient in firing, hardens and colors the clay, but also gives me time to think and look inward.
Time has enabled me to bring to my work a personal uniqueness, a clarification of purpose. These works serve as a bridge which allows me to move freely from reality to REALITY. In the interface I am free of convention, opinion, and burdensome history. My work becomes a personal iconography enabling me to visualize and organize my information. My marks are there in the clay. My signature.
It’s a good day.
–Don Reitz
by Carole Epp | Mar 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
Wednesday, March 26th
Join me at Uof W: The Fantastic Story of Porcelain
with Chris Antemann
1:20 – 3:40 Seminar Ceramics Lab 111 N. Frances Street, Madison, WI
4:30 – 5.30 Lecture Elvehjem Building 800 University Avenue, Room L160, Madison, WI
All events are free and open to the public.
by Carole Epp | Mar 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
Wow. A whole week has gone by since I posted. Ummmm….errrr….I have an excuse, I swear! It’s called NCECA. I had good intentions to stay on top of blogging while I was there, but I guess I forgot how crazy NCECA really is. So stay tuned, there will be an epic post NCECA wrap up blog post forthcoming……
