Saturday's Show

Saturday was loads of fun! Linda Susak hung colorful oil paintings on the walls of the gallery, and I had five pedestals of work. I sold some pieces and got a commission, so it was a success!  Plus, there were plenty of fun people to talk to.

Sipping Tea with the One I Love, Fragrant Steam Curling Around Fresh Blossoms

Tea Set 1: Timid Blossoms  (Can you see them?)

Tea Set #2: Tumbling Blossoms

Floral Refreshment; Service for Four

Fresh Blossoms for the Kitchen

The last pedestal is away from the front window, by itself.

Where Flowers Come From

This is the blurb I have accompanying the work:

I studied ceramics in college, working both on and off the wheel.  Nearly ten years after graduating, I still adore how slow, thoughtful hand building complements the fast pace of throwing.  It is a joy to create these floral pieces: first, I throw the utilitarian shapes on the wheel, then while I wait for them to dry I form the flowers and carefully attach them.  For each piece, I imagine I am creating an arrangement in a vase.  Some blossoms are poised upward, soaking in the sun; others face forward confidently; my favorite ones are floating lazily, perhaps caught in a breeze, snagged just before they fall to the ground.

Getting Ready

This Friday I'm setting up a show at the Breckenridge Theatre Gallery.  The reception is on Saturday, from 4-6pm.  Here's a sneak peek at one of my teapot sets:

The flower glaze is less yellow in person.

I have a bit more to do to finish the rest of the pieces, but I think I'll be ready.  I'd better be ready!

On September 13, I fly off to Turkey with one of my best friends (Eric) for our other best friend's wedding (Zeynep).  Eric came up with the idea of giving a pitcher as a wedding gift because it can be functional or displayed, depending on the couple's whim.  He also came up with the glaze combination, which I really like - neutral enough for everyday use, but lovely enough to show off.

Hmmm. The glaze looks kinda messy in this photo.

There are two roses on the front of the pitcher to represent Zeynep and her husband, and the little rosebud symbolizes their future together...

Here you can see the glaze better, a nice honey color.

I can't wait for the Istanbul adventure!  I'm sure I'll get tons of inspiration from the food, the colors, the culture, and of course the beautiful wedding!

Sneak Peak! Teapots out of the kiln.

The teapots turned out really lovely with the flowers! I really like this glaze combination; it's the same I used for the last teapot set, the creamer/sugar set, and the leafy espresso cups.

I like these leafy tea cups with swoopy handles.

The cups I made to accompany the teapots are drying for a bisque, as well as flour, sugar, and coffee canisters. The canisters look pretty small behind the tea cups, but they're rather large.  Or rather, they're probably about the right size for what they are.  I don't actually know if there's a standard size for these items. Now I have to think about glazes for these; same green/tan combo, or something else? Maybe I'll wait until I make more pieces to make a decision.

The left two cups go with the left teapot above; the right two go with the right teapot

Meanwhile, I've been making more work for Coyote Creek Gallery in Fairplay.  Here's a sampling of some of the work I'll be bringing on Saturday when it's my day to watch the shop.

3 mugs out of a 4 mug set; small green vase

Med-large slightly squared bowls, blue and yellow.

Finally, I wanted to share a quick shot of my muse resting on the couch this morning, clutching a pillow I made, pretending to be asleep so that I don't feel badly walking out the door, away from him and the studio...

See the open eye and twisted ears? He's watching me...

I'm coming back this evening to work on water goblets, a pitcher, and more!

Flowers Everywhere

Last week I realized--in a moment of panic--that I have a show coming up in September! Thankfully I've already made some pieces I'd like to display. I'll continue with other household items (Piers is pressuring me to make a bread box, although I'm pretty skeptical at this point). Oh yes, and I want flowers EVERYWHERE!

The teapot on the left is 7" tall at the height of the handle; the pitcher is 11" tall.

 The pitcher might actually be a wedding gift. That's the intention I had when I made it, but it also fits in well with my flower theme for the show. I'll leave it to my best friend to decide, since it was his brilliant idea to give a custom water vessel in the first place.

I need to make flowery tea cups next.

In other news, Piers is building a wood shed! I'm really excited about it, and it's in a great location. It's below the height of the deck (that's where I'm standing, pointing the camera downward) which means no shadows to block the sunshine. The door frame has a lot of clearance at the bottom so it will be easy to keep the snow cleared away. The large windows are actually shower doors, which won't shatter if hit by a wayward log. Obviously it's not quite tall enough for him to stand inside, but it will be very comfortable for me!

Piers waving the hammer wildly, showing off for the dog (can you hear Vlad barking?)

I'm off to check on my glaze firing, which includes mugs, bowls, leafy tea cups 'n' saucers, and the large columbine planter (which might go in my September show). Then it's time to brainstorm more pieces.

Vlad stays inside the studio on a rainy day

Today I loaded and fired a bisque load and made new clay. I also threw 5 new bowls, 4 mug forms, and 2 cups/saucers à la leafy espresso cup set.

It may not look productive, but it's been a quality day.

Here's a look at the photos chronicling the day's events:

11 am. I pour myself some coffee as I realize Vlad and I are quite bleary-eyed and sleepy.

Vlad chooses the path less caffeinated.

Cannot..... fight.... gravity....

A much-needed bathroom break.

Where was I? Oh yes. Back to the studio.

One must throw oneself wholeheartedly into each task.

Another bathroom break at the end of the day.

There you have it! Tomorrow should be just as enjoyable, and will have a lot more pottery to show for it.

Alma Fest Preparations

It's Friday! Alma's Festival in the Clouds begins tomorrow at 10:00 am. I'm looking forward to listening to music all day.....

Every year, I donate work to the Alma Foundation for my name to be on the Alma Fest T shirt. Here is Vlad displaying this year's bowls:

It rained yesterday afternoon and my pottery collected the rainwater.

 

I hope we have sunny, dry weather this weekend!