Summer Time

I'm so glad for summer - it doesn't always mean a slower, more relaxed time.  But it does always feel like it should, so here's to trying.  For a little more family time, a little more outside (when it's not too hot) time, and a little more studio time.

Here are a few finished things - 

and a few more in the works . . . 

Some of these are already at Society Hills Designs in Falls Church and some may make their way there in the next few weeks.  I hope to do a few local shows this year and still hope that some will fall in the late summer.  I'm still realizing there is never quite enough time to do everything you want to . . . and still wondering why that is.

Fresh Baked Clay

Doing a little spring cleaning - swapped out the stock at Society Hill Designs shop 

(inside Stifel & Capra) in Falls Church today.  A few shots of the new work below.  

This batch was a little more experimental - different clay bodies, finishing techniques 

and firing methods - which proved very interesting.  Hope you think so too!

My first attempts with porcelain.  What fun!  These were all
gas fired which gave some lovely rich colours to the pieces. 

 

Branching Out

For a short time - just two days overlapping, I'll actually have two pieces of work on view at the Torpedo Factory.  

The first show to go up is the Art League Student/Faculty Show where I have a grouping of three square dishes titled "Repeating Bird Series" similar to the ones pictured below left.  

The ones in the show are made with the studio standard white clay which has been my clay of choice for more recent works.  But the ones above are my first attempt at using porcelain clay - it is soooo soft and I'm already totally hooked on working with it.  I've yet to see how it progresses through the firing process though.  It's going to be an interesting study . . . but enough on that for now.  Back to the show - as it includes works from multiple areas of study through the Art League, it's incredibly inspiring to walk through and see what everyone else has been working on.  Show opens this week on February 22 and ends with a short ceremony on March 4, 2012.

And, switching gears almost completely, the second piece is in the Target Gallery March Madness Exhibition.  Another big show - with approximately 200 pieces of work included, from almost as many contributors.  All 10x10 inch square, like the one in the first photo below.

Panel Before

Panel In Progress

Panel Finished

I had planned to take shots as I worked but got on a roll so my "in progress" shot (in addition to being a terribly out of focus) is really about one step away from the finished product, titled "Goodnight".  I saw a few other works going in when I returned my panel this morning.  This is the second year I've participated in this show and once again, seeing what others have done with their panels is even more exciting than working on my own.  I can't wait to see all of them once they go up on the walls!  The show runs March 3 - March 18, 2012.  There is even a party on March 16.  10% of all sales go to March of Dimes.  Great fun for a great cause.  

Happy New Year!

2012 is here!  And I wasn't quite ready, as usual.  But a week later, it's feeling more like a new year.  We finally took down all of the decorations and are getting back to "normal" routines.  Which for me includes sending out much earlier promised gifts to their new homes.  

Now, just to pack them up carefully and they'll be on their way!

Lucky Me

Took the day off last Friday and spent the morning in the studio and the afternoon dropping off a few new pieces at Society Hill Designs (inside Stifel & Capra) where amazing designer/metalsmith Christine Bartoletta has given them an incredibly warm welcome.  

It was such a rush to see the lovely display she has created there! 

Collaboration

Trying out something new . . .

I'm doing the clay work, but the quotes are from a collection we've started with our daughter.  

Yikes! (Ceramic Works on View)

Art League Ceramics Show & Sale Table 

Final setup (after a LONG time moving, re-moving, and moving all of the pieces around . . .  again).

Close-ups of a few pieces.

 Should be a lot of fun!  Come out to the party tomorrow / sale through the weekend.