emerging artist: Don Reynolds

Artist’s Statement:
My influences include all of the spectacles of modern times including the circus, the rodeo, county fairs, Mardi Gras / Carnival, rock and roll, casinos, and other assorted roadside attractions which exude a gaudy specialness. My work is an attempt to combine these influences with an archaeological interest in cave paintings, Greek story pots, and ancient stelae to create objects for the modern stone age family.

Here is short bio:
After a series of unfortunate delivery room high-jinks (sic), Mr. Reynolds found himself being raised by a ruthless pack of cruelly discarded professional sports team mascots who sometimes shot him from a canon for their own amusement. As a child, he was forced to dig up un-civil war relics from an ancient battle site to trade with members of the intergalactic jet set that frequently made visits to the abandoned rail yard where he lived. At night, while the elders of his pack were off performing the rare and sacred mascot family dance, he would secretly refine his skills in “the craft that dare not speak it’s name” to pass the solitary hours. As soon as he was old enough to cross the tracks by himself, he discovered an entire underground network of others engaged in the creation of something out of nothing. Mr. Reynolds then joined this troupe of merry pranksters on their non-stop tour of the finest shopping malls around the world. He continues to marvel at the never-ending cleverness of those that make and of those that make do. If you spot him these days, and are confident that you remember the secret handshake, feel free to approach him and ask for the cosmetic secrets of your favorite pop stars. He’ll know! (to be continued…)

emerging artist: Judy Abdelaziz

My
journey into clay began with my love of all things beautiful (art,
music, nature). After taking a pottery class in 2004 I fell in love with
creating beautiful things out of clay. Although in the first few years I
took a few pottery classes, I have further developed my work through
attending many demonstrations and workshops. Most of my development has
been through experimentation.

In 2008 I started selling my work
at art and pottery festivals where my work was done primarily on the
potter’s wheel. My work was functional and very colorful. Then in
December 2012 after taking the class at the John C. Campbell Folk School
with Sylvia Coppola, I now enjoy making most of my pieces with a
combination of slab and wheel techniques. The new pieces are more
decorative, though some remain functional. 


 
My
work has been exhibited at various shows at Mint Hill Arts where
recently I won first place in the 3D category at the Winter Juried show
and in 2011 I won an honorable mention for my tall coffee pot at the
Juried Spring show. Recently I also won first place for my butterfly
cruet at the Summer Art Explosion show at Falling Rivers Gallery as well
as an honorable mention for my Teapot on Fire at the Members Only show
in November. My goal in 2014 is to have my own show at a local gallery. 

New Day Pottery can be found at Art Fairs, exhibits around North Carolina and in various gift shops and galleries. 
Check out my blog or Facebook page for more information and for updates on what’s happening in the studio.

 
Judy Abdelaziz
New Day Pottery

Overlooked and Overlapped by Meredith Host @ Mudfire

January 24th – February 24th, 2014

MudFire welcomes Meredith Host for a return visit to our
gallery. This show, titled “Overlooked and Overlapped” is Meredith’s
first solo show at MudFire Gallery. Her layered content and
sophisticated color schemes are a real treat for any table.

Show opens online Friday, January 24th at 12pm and is also on view in
the gallery. Also in the gallery our Editor’s Choice show featuring
work that we didn’t get a chance to feature in our bustling holiday
sale.

www.mudfire.com/meredith-host-2014.htm

MUDFIRE

175 Laredo Drive
Decatur, GA 30030

[email protected]

FUSION WINTER WORKSHOP 2014 presents CATHI JEFFERSON

Kitchener Waterloo Community Theatre
9 Princess Street East, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2H4
February 15/16, 2014
9:00 am to 5 pm

Cathi Jefferson will start the weekend with an overview of her 40 years
of making in clay, her inspirations, and progression. Over the course
of the weekend she will throw, alter, and assemble a variety of pieces:
yunomis, mugs, latte cups, cruet, teapot, an upside down bowl, and do
some slab building. She will discuss her salt firing process, as well as
her underlying views about principles of form, movement, and functional
considerations in her work. This will be a weekend of stunning visual
presentation and inspired making by one of Canada’s greatest ceramic
artists.

REGISTER ONLINE at www.clayandglass.on.ca