America's ClayFest IV (April 14-May 21, 2016)

I found out recently that I will have a piece of work exhibited in the upcoming exhibition "America's ClayFest IV-Open Division".  The exhibit was juried by Sergei Isupov, ceramic artist, and Leslie Ferrin, of Ferrin Contemporary.  The exhibit will run from April 14-May 21, 2016, at Blue Line Arts Gallery in Roseville, California.

Pictured below is "Ingenuity", the piece that was chosen to be exhibited.  The piece was hand built using Terra Cotta (slabs, coil, and pinch pot method).  Glazes were applied and the piece was fired multiple times to achieve the desired surfaces.  Enjoy!

For more information: www.americasclayfest.org

New Work, "Ingenuity", 2015

My time is usually spent working on sculptural pieces, but for last four months it seems all I have been working on most of the time is wheel thrown work.  I finally took time away from the wheel to get back to my first love…sculpture!

This piece, "Ingenuity", is a sculpture that I had been working on for a short time.  It took me seventeen hours to create this piece, minus the multiple firings I put it through and the build up of multiple glazes. The piece is hand built with press mold additions, and is made from earthenware clay.  It is hollow and was built "life size".

With my exploration into the "object/artifact", I came upon an old 1921 gasoline welder, that my dad had found up in his attic above the garage.  I instantly fell in love with the piece and found it to be perfect to try and create with clay.  I used slabs, coil, and the pinch pot method to create this piece.

The piece was fired to cone 05 bisque and then I used glazes that I created in graduate school, at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.  I hadn't had an opportunity to use the glazes, beyond test tiles, and was happy to finally find a piece that I thought the glazes would compliment.

The glazes are low fire as well, cone 06, and really help to make the piece look like the real thing, only with more rust and decay.

Pictured below are pictures of the piece in different stages of the making process.  Enjoy.

New Work-"It's Complicated"

I finally finished up a piece that I have been working on for some time.  The piece is hand built using slabs and molds and was fired to cone six in an electric kiln.  This piece came to mind when I was thinking about industry and the role in history in which industry has had, when it comes to the creation of weapons used for offensive and defensive purposes.  Ironically the year I was working on it (2014-2015), new turmoil arose not only in the Middle East, but also in the annexation of Crimea.

The creation of weapons is closely tied to industry and technology and sometimes used in situations in which the technology was not intended for.  This idea was the basis of creating this piece, and although it is not new to us, it does deserve a moment of contemplation on the time we live in and how history seems to repeat itself.

Below is a picture of the new work titled, "It's Complicated".

America's Clay Fest III (April 17-May 30, 2015)

I recently found out that I had a piece accepted into "America's Clay Fest III".  Formerly known as "Feats of Clay", the exhibition is an international juried ceramic exhibit.  The Jurors for the exhibition are Tip Toland, ceramic sculptor, and Peter Held, Chief Curator at the Ceramic Research Center at Arizona State University.  The exhibit will take place at Blue Line Arts Gallery in Roseville, California.

For more information check out these websites:  www.americasclayfest.org and bluelinearts.org, for more information.

Pictured below is the piece "Possibilities", which will be in the exhibit.

teapots! 9th Invitational at Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery

I was invited to be a part of a teapot exhibition at the Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The exhibit runs from April 10-June 13, 2015.
I was honored to be asked to participate in the exhibit and those who know me, know I don't usually create pottery, or much functional work.  So, I had to sit down and create a teapot for the show.

It took me some time to figure out what type of form and then how the surface would later be developed.  I wanted it to be functional, although that was not necessary.

If you are in the area (Pittsburgh), you should stop by the Gallery to check out the show.  Here is the website for the gallery:  Morgan Glass Gallery

Below are some images of the teapot that I sent to the gallery.

20th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition

I found out recently that I had a piece accepted into the 20th San Angelo National Ceramic Competition.  I mailed out the piece a couple of days ago and it arrived yesterday.  The Juror for the exhibition is Leopold Foulum, from Montreal, Canada.  There was a total of 764 pieces of art submitted for jurying and a total of 123 works were chosen for the exhibition.

The exhibit will take place from April 11- June 26, 2014, at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Art, San Angelo, Texas.  For more information you can check out the website link posted here:  www.samfa.org 

Posted below is a picture of the piece accepted for the exhibit.  The title for the piece is, "Technological Dependence".

New Work-2013 ("Possibilities", Circular Hand Saw)

I finished up another piece and photographed it with the other new work recently.  This piece is titled, "Possibilities".  It is hand made using slabs of earthenware as well as press molded additions.  I fired the piece to cone 6 and used glazes, tool dip, as well as enamel paints for the surface.  I'm interested in exhibiting this piece, but haven't decided which exhibition I should try to enter it yet.

New Work-2013 (Remnant)

This piece is titled "Remnant" and is hand built using earthenware slabs, with press molded additions as well.  I fired the piece to cone six and used glazes as well as enamel paints.  I'm glad it's done so I can update my portfolio on my web page as well as concentrate on new work I'm creating at the moment.  I fired this particular piece multiple times.

New Work-2013 (Technological Dependence)

Here is an image of a new piece I finished up recently.  The piece is titled, "Technological Dependence".  I hand built the mechanical form using terra cotta slabs, along with press molded additions.  The phone is slip cast porcelain, which I Raku fired, with a Raku glaze I made.

Raku Test Tiles/Cell Phones-Update

Well I have been working on refining the placement of my phones in the kiln I'm using, as stated in an earlier post.  As that work continues... I'm still working on my cup, vessel,  and a plate I threw earlier.  So, as those pieces are going through the drying stages, I'm getting ready to hopefully put them in a bisque firing this weekend.  Here are some images of those tests I did.  I didn't sieve the glaze I made up, so I'm assuming the glaze could look smoother without the larger particles in the glaze.  I've also made up a white raku crackle glaze, but I'll have to take a picture of those phones and post them in my next post.  Enjoy.

                                                              This glaze test was applied with a single thin coat over a black slip.
The more "copper colored area",  is a result of a thicker application.

This glaze test was applied with two
 "normal coats" of the glaze over a black slip. 

Here I applied two normal coats over black slip,
notice the larger glaze particles within the glaze.

Here is another test, this phone also has two
coats of glaze.  Notice that each of these phones
pictured have been placed in different areas of the kiln
and how it affects the glaze (heat differences).

This phone also has two coats,
as stated in the other tests.  With these tests
I tried to keep the application process the same.
The tests are also about location(placement) in the kiln.

This phone has the glaze applied the same as the others.

Here are the glaze tests all together,
as well as some phones that are without any glaze.

Why attend Graduate School?

Since leaving graduate school at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, I've had students ask me what it's like and why should they attend graduate school.  I have had the pleasure to answer any questions they may have, and try to explain the different reasonings one may choose to attend.  It's no easy task and one must understand the dedication needed to succeed.
When I was at Edinboro I had the opportunity to be interviewed about graduate school.  I thought I would share the link of the youtube video explaining graduate school at Edinboro and what I came away from it.  Hope you enjoy the video and I hope it helps to understand at least a little bit more of the reason why I felt it was beneficial.

The link is posted below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEBXSqBvAV0


This image shows work I made prior to the installation of my thesis exhibition, back in 2012.

Hard Ware: National Ceramic Exhibit

I recently found out that I had a piece selected for "Hard Ware: National Ceramic Exhibit".  The exhibit will take place at the Duncan-McAshan Visual Arts Gallery, (May 24-June 22) Hill Country Arts Foundation, Ingram, Texas.

 Here is the website for the Hill Country Arts Foundation:
www.hcaf.com

About the Juror: Juan Granados is an internationally recognized ceramic artist, having participated in well over 100 national and international group exhibitions and twenty-three solo exhibitions. His work has been widely published in more than 50 books and periodicals including: Art in America, Ceramics Monthly, Ceramica, Ceramic Arts, Perception and Ceramics Arts Monthly. Granados is currently Associate Professor of Art at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Prizes will be awarded at discretion of the juror.

Across the Divide Ceramic Exhibition 2012

Here is another show that I will be in this summer out in Flagstaff, Arizona.  I will be sending the two pieces out this week.  I would post the images of the work, but I think I will wait until the show is up and running.  I don't want to give away any sneak peaks just yet.  I'm working on trying to get down there for the opening, but with the end of graduate school approaching this week I'm not sure just yet.
For more information about Coconino Center For The Arts use this link: http://www.culturalpartners.org/acrossthedivide.htm

Opening Reception: June 2, 6-8pm

Across the Divide will encompass the vast array of contemporary ceramics in the sculptural and installation genres. This exhibit uses the Continental Divide as a metaphor for the artist working in clay that has separated them from traditional techniques and stereotypes within the medium. Participating artists were encouraged to submit work that pushes traditional boundaries of the ceramic medium in its treatment of material and subject.

This exhibition features artists from across the country. All forms of ceramic sculpture, installation and new media work will be included. All works will have some ceramic component and range in scale from hand held to monumental.
Across the Divide opens with a reception on Saturday, June 2, 2012, from 6-8pm. Many of the participating artists will be in attendance, and there will be live music and some treats. The exhibition will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11am-5pm, from June 5, through July 28, 2012, at the Coconino Center for the Arts. Admission to the reception and gallery is free and open to the public.

Juror

Steven Schaeffer is a ceramic sculptor whose work has been shown nationally as well as internationally including the Florence Biennale and the Ceramic Biennial International Competition in Korea. Steve teaches Ceramics at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.


Photos: top Christine Golden, bottom Steven Schaeffer

New work under progress Fall 2011

This week has been a busy week for me with mid-term critiques and committee critiques this Friday, so I've been trying to get everything ready to present.  I have been working on a new piece for my thesis work and thought I would post the progress up to this point.  The piece pictured is terra cotta clay.  I hand built this piece using slabs and some carving techniques to create the teeth on the gears and on the "tool".  I bisque fired the clay to cone 05, and then applied a cone 6 glaze and glaze fired the pieces to start with a base to work from.  I have thought about taking my work to the next level by paying attention to the minute details, that I think helps with the overall feel of the work, and the tromp l'oeil effect that I am pursuing.  There is still some minor issues I am still working through with the piece, but I feel the end is near.  I'll post pictures of the final piece when I am done with it, hopefully in a couple of weeks.

KACA Material Mastery and Members Exhibition 2011

"Precious", Terra Cotta, 2011 (KACA Material Mastery)

"Fossil Fuel", Earthenware, 2010 (Members Exhibition)

I found out recently that I will have two pieces in two different exhibitions coming this October sponsored by the Kansas Artist Craftsmen Association.  The first one is titled "Material Mastery", which will run from October 17-November 5, 2011(Exhibition reception is November 4, 2011), at the Norman R. Eppink Gallery, Emporia State University, 1200 Commercial St., Emporia, KS.  The National Juried exhibition was juried by Elaine O. Henry, who is the editor of Ceramics Art and Perception and Ceramics TECHNICAL magazines.  The Members Exhibition will take place from October 25-November 5, 2011, at the Emporia Arts Council, 815 Commercial St., Emporia, KS.  The exhibition reception will take place on November 4, 2011.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the exhibitions due to the fact that I am still finishing up my last year in graduate school at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.  If you are able to attend the shows I would recommend it...it looks like there will be a lot of great art from the list of those showing in the show this year!  The works pictured, are the pieces that will be in the upcoming exhibitions.