by Carole Epp | Dec 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
There is something about this small creature inside of Eva’s pot that is so compellingly sweet to me. All I want to do is curl up inside of a gorgeous object like that and see the world from the inside out. Enjoy today’s pots
“BiographyIn 1968 when a painting course was cancelled I ended up taking a substitute – Raku. Clay, I discovered, had much more potential for creative expression. Through the 1970’s and 80’s I worked with stoneware and electric kilns, and sold my functional work at craft shops and fairs in the Ottawa Valley in eastern Ontario.After a 15 year hiatus, I returned to ceramics in 2002 with a renewed vigor to explore more varied work. Today I work mostly in cone 10 reduction, in porcelain and stoneware, focusing mostly on one-of-a-kind functional pieces. Working with gas has made me re-evaluate my work and I find techniques such as stamping, carving and appliqué the most satisfying.In 2008 I signed up for the year-long journey workshop with U.S. potter Steven Hill. As a result of studying with Steven I find my work is becoming more focused and contemporary. He has given me the courage to freely transfer my ideas and emotions into clay.After decades of work I feel that maybe my pots are finally beginning to talk and sing to me – and truly satisfy me.”
“Artist’s StatementThrough my ceramic pieces I strive to give outward expression to my inner feelings about various issues facing us today. At times it feels we are in an irreversible death spiral of consumerism, conflict, over-population, and environmental degradation.I trace my enjoyment of clay appliqué back to childhood when my teacher would illustrate stories with felt board cutouts and I would spend hours cutting out paper figures. Now it is my turn to tell a story about what moves me, using clay, glazes and my creative and artistic expression. I find that the exacting detail required in working with appliqué challenges my skills. The design has time to evolve as it is being constructed, giving me time to explore my feelings, with the end result frequently surprising me.Life is not always happy and cutesy as illustrated in children’s stories. There is always an opposite dark side. As in my ceramic works, we may choose not to look at it unless we deliberately make an effort to do so.”
CV 1967 – B.Sc. Zoology – McGill University 1968 – 1982 – member of the Deep River Potters Guild and self-directed learning with workshops Bob Bozak, Ken Cumberland, Sam Moligian, Keith Campbell and others. 1980 – 2002 – Public Affairs Assistant, Atomic Energy of Canada 2002 – returned to ceramics 2005 – Deep River Library Arts Juried Show – 2nd prize and Hon. Mention in 3-D 2006 – Valley Arts Council Professional Juried Show – 1st prize and Hon. Mention in 3-D Media 2008 – Valley Arts Council Professional Juried Show – 1st and 3rd prizes in 3-D Media 2008 – 09 Taught children’s pottery workshops at the Killaloe Youth Group, the Golden Lake Algonquians Cultural Centre, and the Arnprior Recreation Department. Workshops were sponsored by a Ministry of Culture grant via the Deep River Potters’ Guild and focused on aboriginal pottery. 2008 – 09 Steven Hill Journey Workshop – currently halfway through this year long study with Steven Hill. Work available at: From the Valley Artisans Co-op in Deep RiverThe Red Canoe Gallery in Wilno.
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
“BiographyIn 1968 when a painting course was cancelled I ended up taking a substitute – Raku. Clay, I discovered, had much more potential for creative expression. Through the 1970’s and 80’s I worked with stoneware and electric kilns, and sold my functional work at craft shops and fairs in the Ottawa Valley in eastern Ontario.After a 15 year hiatus, I returned to ceramics in 2002 with a renewed vigor to explore more varied work. Today I work mostly in cone 10 reduction, in porcelain and stoneware, focusing mostly on one-of-a-kind functional pieces. Working with gas has made me re-evaluate my work and I find techniques such as stamping, carving and appliqué the most satisfying.In 2008 I signed up for the year-long journey workshop with U.S. potter Steven Hill. As a result of studying with Steven I find my work is becoming more focused and contemporary. He has given me the courage to freely transfer my ideas and emotions into clay.After decades of work I feel that maybe my pots are finally beginning to talk and sing to me – and truly satisfy me.”.jpg)
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