emerging artist: Shannon Butler

by | Jul 28, 2013 | call for entry, emerging artist, job posting, monday morning eye candy, movie day, residency opportunity, show us your influences, technical tuesday

Artist Statement

My aim is to create progressive, dynamic work that engages with the reality of the place where I live and the people I live among. My biggest thrill is when I realize I have created something the likes of which I have never seen before.

By “inventing” ceramic objects, such as letter holders or antler buckets, that have practical as well as aesthetic purposes, I am attempting to create a space of my own within the ceramic field. I feel that by marrying local materials, such as naturally shed antlers and vintage horse bridles, with my ceramic vessels, I am both upcycling and creating something that functions at a “higher” level. At the same time I engage the public and my northern community in the act of having a daily relationship with handmade objects.

It is a somewhat uncommon existence I lead here in this northern oilfield town. I am inspired by the irony of my situation, and by nostalgia, popular and northern culture. I explore these inspirations in my work, juxtaposing ceramic techniques against each other while making objects that function in an extraordinary way. I am compelled to challenge conventional ceramics and myself by mixing ideas from pop culture against historical tradition, and vintage aesthetics against contemporary. This creates a sort of bricolage, a complicated and layered presentation that defies traditional notions of authenticity and, even, beauty.

My work assembles diverse elements that celebrate and investigate the nuances of contemporary life, pop and northern culture, the art of making things by hand, and the practice of incorporating interesting and useful ceramic objects in everyday life. Art should be all around us, not just in museums.
shannonbutlerceramics.blogspot.ca

Potters Council upcoming workshop

by | Jul 26, 2013 | Uncategorized

ALTERNATIVE FIRING SURFACES
October 11-13, 2013 | Minneapolis, MN

REGISTER NOW | READ MORE

Playing with fire
We
have five talented presenters who will provide instructions on
alternative firing surfaces, firing processes and different types of
kilns. We will be doing three hands on firing sessions: raku, aluminum
foil saggar, and pit firing. You’ll learn skills to create your own
approach to surfaces and how they relate to different alternative
firings. Presenters will show you how to play with fire and have you
ready to experiment in your studio.
Whether
you throw or handbuild, this conference has something for you to take
back to your studio. This conference is open to artists at all levels:
from enthusiastic amateur, to the teacher, and for the professional. No
matter your skill level, if you’re open to learning and connecting with
other ceramic artists then this is the conference for YOU!
Deadline to SAVE $50 is Sunday, July 28 Register Now
Limited Spots Available
Highlights:
Discuss
how to fire a raku kiln and how to convert an electric kiln into a
gas-fired kiln suitable for raku; Learn how to fire large work in a
small kiln; How to apply decoration in alternative firing processes:
raku, carbon marking, saggar, smoke firing, drawing on bisque slabs,
applying latex and glaze, and the addition of luster lines; to create
rich colors and microcrystalline surface details; Participate in hands on firing: aluminum foil saggar, pit firing, and raku horsehair and feather. Read more…  
Presenter: Billy Ray Mangham
Billy Ray Mangham

Presenter: Marcia Selsor
Marcia Selsor

Presenter: David Sturm
David Sturm
Presenter: Ken Turner
Ken Turner

Presenter: Sumi von Dassow
Sumi von Dassow

    

 

Upcoming exhibition and workshop at Plinth Gallery – Mary Fisher

by | Jul 26, 2013 | Uncategorized

PLINTH GALLERY
(303) 295-0717  
 
Mary Fischer
“The Architecture of Space”
 
“Flaming Roof”  Mary Fischer                      
                            
Please join us for an opening reception with the Artist
 
First Friday, August 2, 6-9pm
 
Exhibition on display through September 29
Mary Fischer’s ceramic forms are reminiscent of the land 
settled by her great-grandparents
and where Fischer grew up. Her sculptures of barns, water towers,
granaries and other farm buildings are influenced by her surroundings on
the Texas landscape. Fischer has always been fascinated with buildings and architecture, 
“I’ve been interested in buildings and photographing buildings and
reading architectural magazines ever since I can remember”. Fischer’s
constructions are all hand built from slabs and extruded sections of
clay. Using a paper maquette as a pattern, she assembles the clay parts
much like, “playing with Legos. The more pieces there are to play with,
the more ideas there are to explore.” Mary began her studies in ceramics
at an arts center in Austin, TX after returning from a tour with the
Air Force as an Intelligience Officer. She has been an exhibitor at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival
in Denver for the last seven years, and now we are delighted to
showcase her unique yet familiar ceramic constructions at Plinth
Gallery. Please join us for our opening reception with the artist on
First Friday, August 2nd, from 6-9pm.                              “Covered Silo” Mary Fischer
Mary Fischer Workshop: “Printing on Clay”  August 3-4
In
this two-day workshop, Mary will demonstrate her process of
handbuilding, printing images on clay and using ceramic stains and
slips. Techniques include use of plexiglass plates to transfer images,
using printed images from magazines or other sources, image manipulation
using Photoshop,
and use of paper or fabric to transfer images similar to a monoprint. 
There will be discussion and demonstration of correct pigment
formulation, and plenty of time for hand-on practice of the
techniques.   
Class size is limited and registration is first-come, first served. Fee of $250 includes all materials, and lunch catered by Fuel Cafe.  Participants can receive graduate credit through Adams State University.  Check our website for more information and contact us to register.