by Carole Epp | Dec 29, 2009 | Uncategorized
I can hardly believe that artist of the day month is almost over…so sad! What are we going to do without our gorgeous daily dose of ceramics? I’m just not sure…
Well lets not dwell on it yet and instead enjoy today’s treasures by Robert Young. I love the carved lines in the first image.
Robert just graduated this month from the University of Guam with a double BA – Secondary Education, and Fine Arts/ Ceramics. Congratulations!
He says; “I am not what you would call a traditional student, as I started my freshman year at the young age of 50. Here I am 3 years later, ready to start a career as a certified teacher for high school, in ceramic arts. I started with painting and drawing, and still love doing them, but really had to work at it to produce anything worth looking at. Then I took a ceramics class, and discovered that I could get lost in time at the wheel. Several times I missed a whole day of classes, thinking I was just taking advantage of a two hour break between classes!”
Ha, I know that feeling all to well. I missed many a class in college distracted in the clay studio, and spent many a late night ignoring the clock, my hunger, the security guards and any common sense to fuel my clay addiction. It’s completely worth it in the end!
by Carole Epp | Dec 28, 2009 | Uncategorized
Speaking of the wonders of Medicine Hat, today is another example of an artist who has worked at the Medalta AIR (I promise I’m not getting a commission for speaking so highly of Medalta) and who has since been returning to fire more gorgeous work in their soda kiln. I love the range, yet cohesion of the design elements in Rob’s work. And I can assure you that they are even more lovely to behold in person. Today’s artist is yet again more proof of the high quality of work found on the Canadian prairies.
Artist Statement:
Working with texturing and layering techniques, I make ceramic tableware (cups, bowls, slab plates) that is both sculptural and utilitarian.
Living in Japan for 11 years in close contact with Japanese culture and culinary customs has had a great influence on my life and work. Mainly, this experience has made me more aware of the importance of clay colour and texture in pottery in relation to the tactile experience of using a dish. Experimenting with local clays in Japan, Mexico and in my native Saskatchewan, as well as using prepared clays, I have centered my interest on the way the qualities of a particular clay and slip inspire surface form and function.
photos: Gabriela Garcia-Luna
by Carole Epp | Dec 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
Well if you haven’t already spent your last earnings on boxing day blowout sales you should consider stopping by Elizabeth’s etsy shop for some gorgeous ceramic jewelery. I’m so tempted….and I’m starting to wonder what is in the water in Medicine Hat as there is so much incredible work being produced there. I’d love to see these pieces in person as I’m sure the imagery is even more stunning in person.
Elizabeth Burritt is an artist and designer who has had the good fortune in the last 3 years to live by the ocean, in the mountains and on the prairie. Her practice includes such media as ceramics, textiles and graphic design and has come to involve creating human life in a recent collaborative project. She currently lives with her husband, daughter and dog in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
“My ceramic practice includes vessel making, sculpture and most recently jewelry. It’s heavily weighted toward surface considerations. Most pieces are made of unglazed porcelain with hand-drawn, monochromatic decoration. The imagery on my work comes from my immediate environment and has transitioned from urban to rural accordingly.”
etsy link: elizabethburritt.etsy.com
(Congrats on that “collaborative project”, Elizabeth. I’m sure it’s keeping you busy!)
by Carole Epp | Dec 26, 2009 | Uncategorized
I really encourage you to go and check out
Michael’s website to get a more complete sense of his amazing work and process. The following images simply scratch the surface. Very cool indeed. There are some incredible macro shots of kiln formed crystals which I just love. I once did a series of ceramic works that I exhibited as macro photographs of the surface, but they don’t hold a candle to Michael’s work. Enjoy!
Images: 1 & 2: Dissolving Tendencies. 2009. Ceramic, Wood, Steel. 40” x 15” x 36”
Statement: At our disposal are all the minerals of the universe, as they exist here on planet earth. The combination and recombination of these minerals into objects can only be limited by human imagination and vision. Through explorations in material, surface, and idea, I create works that are reflections on the beauty and power of the objects and textures that compose the natural world.
3&4: Entropic Adulation. 2008. Ceramic. 8ft in Diameter
My intentions are not to copy verbatim these forms and surfaces, but to use the energy they possess as a catalyst for expression and creativity. To create something beautiful and the start to finish process rooted in an idea, serves as a means of fulfillment and joy in my life.
5 & 6: Specimens. 2008. Ceramic, Wood, Glass, LED Lighting.
Piece consists of 48 individually lighted jars with a ceramic sculpture in each jar.
Each Jar measures 3 ½ inches in Diameter.
Bio: Just an everyday guy living the life I love. While pursuing a degree in Art History at Edinboro University, artist Steven Kemenyffy turned me on to ceramics and since then, it’s been my life’s work. After completing school with a degree in Art History, I continued to work closely with Steve in his studio where we wrote and received a grant for an exhibit called Terra Nova that was featured at the 2008 NCECA conference in Pittsburgh. In summer 2008, I was the studio assistant at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ and directly after went to The Wichita Center for the Arts in Wichita, KS to be there artist in residence for a year. Now I am back in my hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania where my good friend (a lamp worker) and I have opened up a working studio and sales gallery called ‘Interglasstic Studios.’ We now work fulltime- creating artwork and promoting young, local artisans like ourselves.
Website: www.mikeangelotti.com
by Carole Epp | Dec 25, 2009 | Uncategorized
Well I do hope that each and everyone of you are having a wonderful holiday season however you choose to celebrate it. I am finally in relax mode, no work for me for a few days at least, well that is except for sharing more beautiful work with you all. Enjoy today’s eye candy hopefully you haven’t filled up on too many treats so far today!
BIO:
“I am a clay artist living in Chapel Hill, N.C. I combine wheel throwing and hand building in my work and fire Raku and cone 10 reduction. I teach hand building and Raku classes at the Artscenter in Carrboro N.C. and sell my work in local galleries and art festivals. In 2008 the Orange County Arts Commission awarded me an artists project grant for a gas/raku kiln. I have been experimenting with raku glazes for the past year and in August of 2009 I attended a Raku workshop at Penland with Steven Forbes deSoule. The metal stand for the pear was found outside the metal shop at Penland and the chartreuse glaze was a glaze we experimented with during the workshop. Chartreuse glaze Raku fired to 1950 f in an Olympic torchbearer gas/raku kiln”
by Carole Epp | Dec 24, 2009 | Uncategorized
Today you get an extra artist of the day thrown in just for fun as I’ve been dying to share the work of Chandra Stubbs with you. I’m loving the combination of felt and clay.
These pieces are hand made needle felted Merino wool encased in extruded and hand thrown porcelain. Clear celadon glaze, gas fired to cone 9.
The following are slab constructed stoneware clay with paper clay and felt accents. Shino glazed with raw ash application, gas fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. Hand needle felted Merino wool accents.
Here’s her bio:
“Over the past twenty years I have evolved from a third generation production potter to mixed media fine art sculpture. My current work combines stoneware and porcelain clay with my love of needle felted wool. I like the control and detail needle felting allows me. I am able to create wonderful texture and pops of color. The wool compliments the hard surface of the clay and I find the combination both familiar and comforting. I show my work at fine craft shows and art venues across the United States. I am a current member of the American Craft Council.”
View her web site www.chandrastubbs.com for current show schedule and more samples of her work.
