Tracy McEvilly

This is What I have Time For

2011-03-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

I have been neglecting to post much since I started my new project. Mostly because conditions aren't perfect. For example, I have an idea for a great lighting set up that I can never complete for a multitude of reasons including my ever present infant under tow. So I shot some photos of some great pizza I made using a point and shoot camera in our regular lit kitchen because this is what I have time for. My little guy held still just long enough. In other happenings I have made it back to the studio for some brief moments and I am planning a cup sale in my online shop. I know it's spring everywhere else, but in New York we are deep in mud season.

Gluten Free Pizza Two Ways

I have been making this Bob's Red Mill recipe for pizza crust since it has been necessary for me to make Gluten Free Pizza. It is good every time, but it is especially good when I take extra care to time the yeast and warm water as the recipe calls for and lightly fill the cups with flour, not pack them. I always make a double recipe and cook the pizzas in cast iron skillets with olive oil and a sprinkle of cornmeal in the bottom. The first pizza is a more traditional Pesto Pizza that my partner prefers. The second pizza is a fancier Arugala and Brie pizza I prefer. Since moving to New York I have discovered brick oven pizza. When done well the crust is thin and crispy and the cheese is well done on top, when done poorly....it's just poor. This is the kind of pizza I prefer with gourmet toppings and just enough cheese to make it taste good, not ooze with cheese. I always use fresh mozzarella, which tastes better and spreads a lot so you don't have to use much.

After making the crust place it in your pan, when handling the crust make sure your hands are very wet, you may have to re-wet as you work the dough into a flat pizza crust. The next step is toppings.

For the Pesto Pizza:

You will need, about a half cup prepared pesto. Here is my recipe. 1 ball of fresh mozzarella, 1/4 cup diced tomatoes. Spread pesto over crust, top with tomatoes then, slices of fresh mozzarella. Be sure to give the mozzarella plenty of room to spread out, you may have left over mozzarella, I usually use about 1/2 a ball per pizza. Bake according to directions.

For the Arugula Brie Pizza

You will need 1 small round of brie, I used a really delicious goat brie, 1 cup arugala, 1/3 cup carmelized onions, 1/4 cup dried porcini mushrooms soaked according to package directions, capers and sundried tomatoes to taste. Slice brie and cover crust with evenly spaced slices. Again you want to leave room between the slices of cheese, brie is very rich. Top with onions, mushrooms, and as much capers and tomatoes as you like. Bake according to directions. Add arugala piled on top for the last five minutes of cooking.

I totally made up all the measurements for the toppings :) So use them as a loose guideline! What do you like on your pizza?

P.S. These are featured on a lovely test for a cake stand I made last summer.

Recipes

2011-02-20T12:20:00.000-08:00

There are a few problems with my new project that have been causing me to put it off. It's not for lack of ideas and yummy cooking that's for sure! One problem, I don't make plates. They are finicky, difficult, use a lot of clay, and for some reason never work for me. So I foresee some interesting cup presentations. Two, all of my pottery is packed up from the last show I did. Three, I need to clear a path to my photo area and set it up so that I can take stellar photos instead of mediocre ones. The list goes one...but enough excuses. I will be doing some pottery/recipe posts this week, however I have some recipes that are too delicious not to post, although I didn't manage to take any photos until they were half demolished.

A Heart Shaped Chocolate Spelt cake, with Candied Blood Oranges and fresh whipped cream. It is essential that this cake be eaten with fresh whipped cream, and be shaped like a heart! If you've never made fresh whipped cream it is so easy that I can't really believe we eat it out of cans. Buy a carton of heavy whipping cream (I certainly advise you buy organic, the small Organic Valley carton makes a great deal of delicious whipped cream), pour into a tall bowl and use an electric mixer or whisk to beat into fluffy whipped cream. You may also add sugar or vanilla to taste. I usually eat it plain. Another word about the cake, it can be a little dry, so I recommend subbing maple syrup for half the sugar, and pouring all the syrup from the blood oranges on top. Also I use white spelt flour, and instant coffee powder if I can't find espresso powder.

Next up from one of the richest meals ever.....Pesto Risotto!

I love making risotto. Lately I have been making a great butternut squash sage flavored dish, but on our family trip to NYC, we were lucky enough to discover the Risotteria, via a good friend. This is a great choice for those who can and can't eat gluten. Their risotto menu is amazing, so for Valentine's day I made up this rich dish. I used the basic risotto recipe here, but instead of chicken stock I used veggie. I wanted a rich flavor, so I used half porcini mushroom stock half veggie, and also steeped fresh thyme and sage in the stock. Also I usually use less butter. Prior to cooking the risotto I whipped up a fresh batch of pesto-

Pecan Pesto

2 Cups fresh basil, packed

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup pecans, toasted

1/2 cup fresh parmesan, grated

2 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

To make the pesto first mince garlic, I do this buy putting it in the food processor first and processing alone. Next add pecans and cheese, pulse together. Finally add the basil and oil, reserve some of the oil to stream in while the rest is processing. Add vinegar or lemon juice, then salt and pepper to taste. Process one last time. I usually use pecans or walnuts in pesto, because I just can not spend the money on pine nuts....they have gotten so outrageous! Also, I prefer the taste of the lemon here, but vinegar preserves the green of the basil better, so it's up to you.

Prepare pesto, dollop a quarter cup or so on top of freshly made basic risotto....enjoy all the calories!

Floral

2011-02-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

I have always found that my work reflects my life, and evolves as I change locations. When I lived in Florida my work was very bright and cheery. It was fun to make and fun to use. At the very beginnings of my pottery career in Southern Illinois it was very earthy, yet delicate. And now, in bitterly cold and gray, rainy and snowy New York State (not city) my work has taken on a black undertone. When I lived in Florida my favorite color was pink, pink, pink. When I lived in Southern Illinois my favorite color was green. In New York my favorite is gray, it comes in so many lovely shades. And adding a black undercoat to my work gives it dimension. I love the effect it has taken. But this is quite a shock to my pink, pink past.

The black started innocently, I needed a gift for a friend that wasn't so bubble gum colored. The results were interesting, but I wasn't sold quite yet. And then, close to a year later I was pregnant and needing to steer clear of anything not commercially mixed and stamped non-toxic. And I had been doing some drawing. I came across an interesting technique using wax resist to inlay underglaze on bone dry clay. I will give the details of this process later, but it led to drawing on pottery which led to more drawing. What I want to mention here is that I have been doing some drawing lately that will translate well with this process.

Here are some of the floral drawings I have done since Silas was born. And then I think I'll wrap up this post before Mr. Snuggly wakes up....I tried to finish this yesterday to no avail.

So this is a start, although a little lacking in concept. I am hoping to push this imagery further, into something more complex. I always appreciate feedback!

xoxo

New Project Part 1

2011-02-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

This is the first post regarding my new food project-displaying exciting and delicious recipes in my handmade pottery. I am making this project while staying home and taking care of my baby boy, Silas who is now seven weeks old. Silas's birth has brought so many wonderful things to my life, but in terms of creativity I was really stumped. I spend a lot of time feeding him and looking at recipes which is how I came upon this idea. The other night after spending a weekend mostly on the couch I decided I must get started. I learned a lot from my first try at food photography. Here is a link to one the best food photos I have seen lately. It is beautiful and on one of my favorite food blogs, Phoo-D. So I started with a meal I had been thinking about in my head for a while, an earthy vegetable rice dish, with a side of oven fried zucchini. It tasted great, but prompted the response, what kind of pretty food can you make for this project? Ha-ha, it is true, winter food is usually roasted, stewed, homey, and delicious....although not nearly as beautiful as say a summer time meal inspired by the garden. So here is a very loose recipe for a very yummy and satisfying lentils and rice with roasted butternut squash.

For this recipe you will need:

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 cup dry black lentils

2 1/2-3 cups veggie stock

1/2 carrot diced

1/2 onion diced

1 tablespoon fresh sage chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped

as much garlic as you want, minced I think I used 3 cloves

1-2 Cups butternut squash peeled and diced

Olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and red wine vinegar for flavoring

One thing you should know about my cooking is that I usually don't measure anything and I cook things until they are done. I also cook by tasting, when something tastes good it is done. For this project I am trying to change my ways. I also have a heavy hand when it comes to spices and herbs. and garlic. For this recipe feel free to use dry thyme if you don't have fresh. Also I often cook based off of leftovers, so use as much butternut as you think you want.

Step 1-Cook rice, I have never had success making any pilafs or rice dishes with brown rice where everything is cooked together, so I always cook the rice separately.

Step 2-Toss butternut in olive oil, season with sea salt and pepper, then roast at 400 F, for about 20 minutes or so.

Step 3- While butternut and rice are cooking, sautee onions and garlic in olive oil, until onions are translucent. Add carrots and herbs, season with salt and pepper. When carrots are soft add lentils and stir, then add 2 1/2 cups veggie stock. Bring to a boil, then let simmer with the lid on for about 45 min or until stock is absorbed and lentils are soft. Add more stock if needed. When lentils are cooked add cooked rice and season with sea salt, pepper, and red wine vinegar until tasty. Gently mix in roasted squash and serve.

I also made this delicious oven fried zucchini recipe to eat with this meal. I threw together a very tasty chipotle mayo to dip them in-1/4 cup vegenaise (you could also use mayo, but I much prefer vegenaise), chipotle in adobo and white wine vinegar to taste. (of course) I can't recommend this recipe for oven fried veggies enough! Fried veggies are one of my weaknesses and I can't wait to try some more vegetables with this recipe.To end this very long post, I have learned quite a bit. One, I have a ways to go with my food photos. These were taken with a fussy baby in the background in natural light, with a point and shoot camera. I found my SLR and have plans for better photos soon. Two, food looks much better warm than cold. Three, I am going to have to transition into being a night owl again. Sigh.

Some exciting ingredients I picked up this week- almond flour, blood oranges, porcini mushrooms.....

New Year, New Projects

2011-02-01T10:31:00.000-08:00

Well, now that we are almost one month into the new year, I am back to the blog! Hopefully for real this time....although during my pregnancy I learned that I am not very good at sticking to internet goals, so I certainly won't be making any for myself while I have an infant at home. On that subject...V and I welcomed a baby boy last month we named Silas.So this leaves me lucky enough to spend my days watching my baby grow, thus limiting my time for any projects. But we still have to eat. And since I spend much of my time in front of the computer reading and feeding someone else I have become a bit more food obsessed than usual lately. Oh and I've been eating chicken. and some bacon. For anyone who knew me years ago this is probably shocking news! I will say I limit my meat consumption to supporting farmers who are raising meat organically or locally or if someone happens to bring over something I want to try... I know that often cooking is one of the first things to go for new parents, but I really look forward to it and plan for it. forty garlic clove roast chicken, pecan chicken breasts, banana bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with walnuts, risotto, oven fried zuchinni These are some of the things I have been up to when I have a minute. But, my pottery is always on my mind, so I have created a new project for myself that I can do from home and combine with my food passion/obsession. I am going to be cooking new recipes and photographing the results in/on my pottery. It's a great way to showcase my work. I am also going to submit the really great results to Tastespotting, a food website I love to skim through and get ideas from. I am also going to share some of my recipes as well. I have also been drawing as you can see from my new header photo-my other project to keep myself busy is one drawing a day....I'll be posting those too, but for now I must go feed someone!

Finally!

2010-10-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

That's really the best title I can come up with. My blog is always on the back of my mind, but things get away from me. I have been super busy working full time, getting ready for the holiday season, and you know being pregnant! This season I will be doing two holiday craft events, one is November 6th in Rochester, NY. MayDay Undergound! It looks like it should be a really fun event, and my mom will be there helping us out. Also depending on when baby decides to come out, I may be joining some other local artists here in Cortland for an evening of shopping, wine, and appetizers at Hairy Tony's. This was a great event last year, so I am hoping that little baby stays in until at least his due date. The event is December 8th, and I'll try to post more details later. Here are some shots of what I've been up to lately. I'm trying out a more graphic look and would love some feedback! Thanks! xoxo

As always all of these treasures can be found on my online store......and these new works will slowly replace any sale items, so get the sale items while you still can!

The Best Laid Plans...

2010-08-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

I think I said in my last post I would be posting more often....that was almost a month ago! So my new goal is just posting, periodically. When I can. Between my pregnancy induced nesting and our whirlwind wonderful summer I haven't found much time, and work is starting up again. We have been to London, Wales, Chicago and back, and then an extended stay in the Hudson Valley. All the while enjoying summer's best sweet corn, tomatoes, green beans, basil, peaches, and berries. Unfortunately I forgot my camera when I went to Hudson and I think I took about five photos in Chicago. Including our lovely cupcake tower from my baby shower!

While in Chicago we managed to checkout an Alexander Calder exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. This exhibit is beautifully arranged and I really recommend checking it out if you find yourself in the area. The same day we enjoyed a great meal at Mana Food Bar with great friends. I loved that most items on the menu came in small and large portions so you could order more than one thing. They had great outdoor seating as well.

In the Hudson Valley our main mission was a certain set of twins fabulous 6th birthday party where I did a little face painting and we all ate some delicious food. The cakes were beautiful butterfly cakes and I wish I had a picture of them and the face painting. We spent the rest of the week playing with said six year olds, lots of drawing (including some new surface design ideas), and the above mentioned summer harvest goodies.

Before leaving I did get some work done in the studio that I am pretty excited about. I have a bunch of new shelving (really need to fill it!) and a new glazing station. This is pretty much a set up I have been wanting for several years and I am so happy that it is finally ready for me. I have been toying with a lot of new ideas for surfaces. I am trying to only use commercial products during my pregnancy and I haven't really glazed much. With the holidays approaching I will have to finish some work, and I think I've got some tricks up my sleeve....more photos of that later. Here are some shots of my new studio lay-out and do check out my summer sale in my etsy shop these prices won't last!

Summer Cleaning???

2010-07-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

In lieu of spring cleaning (in spring I was in the first trimester and glued to the couch or bed most of the time) I have done a little "Summer Cleaning" in my online store. I don't like having a lot of old work sitting around especially, because I have been doing a lot of new things this year. Anything that was made a year ago has been marked down 50%. This is obviously a pretty significant savings. I also have some pieces in my sale section that are seconds. These are less than perfect items and the description clearly states these flaws. I won't be keeping these up for too long, because I also really don't like selling a bunch of cheap stuff. Grab these up while you still can!

Brownie Sundaes

2010-07-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

I made these sundae cups over a year ago. They have been featured on blogs, in treasuries on etsy, and I have gotten a lot of feedback from them. I also marked them down to a ridiculously low price as I often do when items have been sitting in my shop for a while. I just don't like keeping old inventory around as my work is constantly evolving. But, still no one snatched them up. So last night when it was time for dessert, (this happens every night now that I am pregnant) I decided why not just keep this set for us? I rarely keep things I make, but I like having a sundae set. They looked great and worked great with brownies and ice cream. I do have plans for more ice cream bowls, but I think they will be more bowl-like so they are more versatile to a potential buyer. Later I'm making frozen greek yogurt to go in them with local blueberries mmmmm......

Back

2010-07-19T06:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finally back after a shocking five month hiatus from the blog. And it has been a busy five months! My work was featured in several exhibits around the country, I participated in my first local craft fair, traveled to London and Wales, and got pregnant. So really I have to blame the exhausting first three months of pregnancy on my absence from the blog. I am proud to say I am feeling much better and I am also off for the summer. Hopefully, I will get back to my once per week goal of posting at least a picture or two of what I have been up to. It should be an interesting time with my growing belly, and the impending balance of motherhood/artist. Here are a couple of pics of what I have been up to....
Getting ready for Ithaca Fest 2010. I'm really proud to say that most of this work was made, fired, and glazed while I was working full time during the first trimester. Anyone who has ever been pregnant can tell you this is no easy feat! I couldn't have done it without the support of my partner Vaughn. Here are some shots from the show.
A shot of my whole display, once again I really have to thank Vaughn for staying up very late to put together these display shelves and make me a simple elegant sign. I'm really pleased with the shelves, they're something I've been wanting for a long time.
I had to include this because it's always inevitable that someone will be undercutting you at these events, but this is possibly the lowest I have ever seen. And ironically her name was Tracy, too. I've learned to just let this stuff go. At the end of the day I won't sell as many items as Miss $2 Treasures, but I will still walk away with my dignity intact and know that people went home happy with something they will actually 'treasure'.
Shortly after Ithaca Fest we were finally off to Wales via London! This was such an amazing trip for us. I always feel very inspired to work after travelling and London had the most amazing museums. We are really only getting a tidbit of what is out there in the states. I spent two days at the Victoria and Albert Museum, if you are in the decorative arts you need to go visit this museum. It has the largest ceramic collection I have ever seen, among others.
Here are some textiles...I'm off to make some more wall paper inspired stamps after this. Tons of pattern sources at the V&A.
One small section of the ceramic collection on the sixth floor. I think they have four or five of these rooms filled with pieces. If you ever find yourself at the V&A it is very hard to find this floor, you have to take one of the elevators, but not all the elevators go there. It took me two trips to find it, but well worth both trips!
And finally the Dutch tulip vase I was searching for. I first saw this on Arthur Halvorsen's blog which is how I learned of the V&A. Thank you Arthur! This museum made the trip for me. I'm off now to post some new work on my online shop-I have already added quite a bit, so please check it out. Next week I'll be posting some pics of my newly organized studio-after one year I think I finally have what I've wanted for quite some time. And new stamps. Stay tuned, because I am definitely back! At least until the baby is born....

What to do With A Snow Day

2010-02-26T06:43:00.001-08:00

After living in Florida for four years I forgot the beauty of a snow day. (And yes, these icicles are attached to my house) Yesterday was all about cleaning, relaxing, and then making a mess again. Today (Snow Day 2) will be an extra studio day.

Step 1: clean house til satisfied, take online yoga class, then make delicious lunch, while preparing for making a massive amount of cookies.

The lunch if you are wondering was eaten off bowls made by Jeff Huebner, and was a salad of Fingerlakes lettuce and Tofu Khan with capers and rice noodles tossed with leftover curry sauce. I spent most of the afternoon doing nothing while waiting for V to return from his snow sculpting adventures with chocolate chips for Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies. One evening, 18 inches of snow, and some serious shoveling later I return to the kitchen to prepare a big breakfast (grits, collards, eggs, AND potatoes) and am back at square one with the mess.
But, who cares about the mess, I've got another snow day!

Step I'm not sure which number: Create promo in online store to celebrate the gift of two free days the snow has given. Save 20% all weekend long!

F-U-N

2010-02-01T04:44:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since I've posted anything, not that I haven't been meaning too, and mentally beating myself up over it. A lot has been going on! I started a new job working with a Montessori school. The children are ages 3-6. It has been rewarding, challenging, all that jazz. I am really enjoying it and learning a lot! I am looking forward to my summer off, when I plan to make a big inventory of work. Also it is dead winter in Central New York. So I really have to challenge myself to actually leave the house. When the holidays were over I decided to just make something fun! As an artist I sometimes forget that making pottery actually is fun. Making cups with hearts and strawberries? Super fun.

Of course after I made these I came down with a serious case of the winter blahs and it took me forever to get them finished. So I am offering them with free shipping for the month of February in my online store.

A lot of the work I did in the fall came together and will be featured in these exhibitions:

Pour

Fourth International Small Teapot Show

8 Fluid Ounces

I am really excited about starting the year off this way! An exhibit from December just closed, Objects of Virtue. This weekend I really accomplished a lot and decided that winter is for planning. Sometimes, it's for lounging and keeping warm, but also for planning for spring. I got some library books about gardening, and berry bowls are up soon in the studio. Happy Valentine's Day!

The Little Things

2009-12-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

Today I was having the worst day! None of my clothes were fitting, I was trying to make appointments and meeting dead ends, my camera battery died just when I got the settings right, and I ended up going out wearing five shades of gray. (I'm not sure why, but all the warm clothes I seem to find are black or gray) But then, the little things started happening. I made a sale on etsy, I found a seashell in my seaweed salad, got a note from a gallery, and found the most beautiful piece of fresh fish on sale at the market. My boyfriend came home with a lovely shelf he made for my cup collection. Instant turn around. Now dinner is on the stove, my camera is set to go when the light is better in the morning, and I have a package to ship. And two show applications to go out, including these little teapots.

I'm Shooting Slides in My Pajamas

2009-11-03T04:54:00.000-08:00

Well, not right now, but I have been all week. I just wanted to take a minute and post that I LOVE digital photography. Gone are the days of spending all your money on film to find out that your pictures suck. Gone is the wait. You don't even have to take a straight shot, picasa will help you do that. And copies of slides, what? You can copy a digital image at home for free. You're applying for a show that requires slides? iprintfromhome will help you with that, in lightning speed. Here is an image of my home-made slide shooting kit.

It's been tweaked a little since I took that shot, I put a board under the light box to make it wider, and lowered the backdrop. It's also now permanently up in my office, so all I need to do is bring home my work, plop it on the back drop. My camera is conveniently located next to the computer, I can upload immediately. All while drinking coffee in my pajamas. I used to hate shooting slides! I would of course always do it at the end of the day when I was too tired to take a good shot, spend all my money on it, and not get really great results. When I got my new camera, I started to love shooting slides. I also really like immediacy in my work, so now that I have a permanent slide set up, the instant results keep me really interested and engaged. Here are the things that make my slide set up work: a flo-tone I used to have a large one that got wrinkled when I moved and I ended up ordering a smaller one that is more manageable and appropriate for my work. I can't afford really nice light boxes right now, so I started making them out of white foam. When I started making shinier work I needed more lights, and Vaughn figured out how to rig this one to light from both sides. I just use books or boxes to make it higher. I think I might add a third light because I am getting a little shadow and glare. I also use tungsten bulbs and set the camera on tungsten. This makes things very hot and it is necessary to turn off the lights frequently and let them cool off. Be very careful with this! Seriously!!!! That's all, just a short note on a modern convenience I love.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

2009-10-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

You can make the most delicious risotto.

For the past few weeks I have blatantly ignored my once per week goal of posting. What have I been doing? Living. As an artist I usually get a feeling of anxiety when I feel like I'm not working enough. Balancing a part time job and studio work can be stressful, and often times simple joys in life get pushed to the side. Since moving to New York I have been able to add to my studio time a lot, and I have felt calmer as a result. So last weekend I trekked to Ancram, New York in the Hudson Valley and met up with some friends and headed over to Ayumi Horie's studio sale. Ayumi is a kind of a household name amongst contemporary potters, so it's really exciting for me to be able to make my second visit to her studio. This year her sale featured another potter and a furniture maker as well as her own work. I was so overwhelmed to see so much work in person! Usually I look at things I like online or in books, but here were hundreds of pots to choose from. After some cider and treats and much back and forth I left with a great plate, and an ice cream bowl. I spent the rest of the weekend at a harvest party, picking apples, playing with five year olds, and enjoying great food and wine. It was the perfect weekend for driving through central New York. Fall is my favorite season, and I didn't realize how much I missed it over the past four years. When I got back I made a gluten free apple crisp with my apples.

I like all the steps involved in cooking, peeling the apples and the way the different shades of the peels look so beautiful together. Chopping, mixing, the smell from the oven. Oh, and the eating. Yes, the eating. And the way the ice cream melts into the crisp.

So, the theme of the past few weeks for me, has been enjoying fall and the simple things around me. My days at the co-op go fast and I relish the time I can spend on my work. But, I also have to remind myself to relish the time I can spend doing simple things at home. With the cool weather, risotto had been on my mind. When I spied some meyer lemons in the produce department, I knew that this would be perfect for the dish. Risotto is a slightly longer process than most dishes, and requires care and patience. But it is worth every minute. As I prepped my kitchen before friends came over I was struck by a parallel feeling I get when making work. The thing about risotto is that it needs constant attention. So I had to get all my ingredients within reaching distance. The other two requirements are a glass of wine, and a back up person in case your arms get tired. I began stirring the rice and adding the ingredients. Anxiety set in. What if it doesn't turn out? The guests will be here in 30 minutes. Similarly, what if the kiln I am firing right now shuts off early or over fires? Ok, if the risotto is gross I have some pasta I can boil really quick and toss the ingredients in, Vaughn can't eat pasta, but he doesn't have to eat does he? I keep stirring the rice, is this how it looked last time? Should I be doing this in a cast iron skillet?

This must be life imitating art at it's best. Because I'm also thinking, did I put the glaze too thick? Was I rushing? Do I use too much of that new celadon glaze? Do I have other pieces I can apply for shows with? And then, the rice starts gently puffing up and getting creamy from the starches, and I know instantly that it will be good. I sip my wine, and get back-up help with stirring. The remaining ingredients are added right before the guests arrive. I sprinkle the top with meyer lemon zest and relax. Once I get out of my pajamas I'll open the lid of the kiln. I can only hope the kiln is as good as the risotto was.

CSMA Arts for All Marathon

2009-09-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

I've realized a lot since moving. Sometimes I hate the process of moving, the packing, the money, the changing of jobs, the stress settling into a new studio can create. But I also love moving. I love shedding all the junk, I love decorating a new apartment, I love starting fresh. I have also discovered, surprisingly, that I really like the Northeast. I also discovered that over five years in Jacksonville I had made a lot of contacts that it's hard to walk away from. I've been invited to do several really excited things since I've left Jacksonville that I had to turn down, because I am no longer their local artist. So in the central New York area I am going to proactive in building those connections. My first step is participating in the Community School of Music and Arts "Arts for All Marathon". The Arts for All Marathon lasts 26.2 days just like a regular marathon is 26.2 miles. Artists can basically create their own way of participating, which really drew me to their cause. They are also having a post-it note show that Vaughn and I will donate an item to. Artists donate art on post-its that are sold for $5 each at the closing show. I really like how accessible they are making art to the general public while raising money. The CSMA offers a great variety of classes, and the money raised in the marathon goes to their scholarship fund. For the duration of the marathon, September 26th-October 24th I will donate 26% of sales on regularly priced items in my online store to the CSMA Arts for All Marathon. In addition my sale items are now 26% off. And I am promising to post new work before the end of the marathon. You really can have it all...fabulous pottery and donating to a good cause all in one!

Clay Tests

2009-09-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

I've been diving into my clay tests head first. Let's start with the line-up, above from gray to white we have, Sheffield Pottery's #92700 Porcelain Clay, Sheffield Pottery's #108300 Elaine's Crystal Cone 6 (I think we all know which Elaine they mean), Standard's #365 English Porcelain Cone 6, Miller's #15 Porcelain, and Laguna's Frost Porcelain.

My love affair with porcelain began when I was in a college with a grayish slop called SIUC domestic porcelain, the summer I graduated my professor gave me a bucket of well aged grolleg porcelain. After one firing the gorgeous color of the clay body had me hooked. When I moved to Atlantic Beach, Florida for a residency at Atlantic Pottery Supply I didn't anticipate that I would start purchasing my clay. I think it only took one bag of well aged porcelain to convince me that I did not need to mix my own clay. This is the first time that I have tried several clays with similar ingredients side by side, however, and I am a little shocked at how different they can be. Working for a clay supplier can evoke all kinds of conversations about clay, which is essentially mud. These conversations drove me nuts, to me clay is clay. And porcelain is of course, porcelain. WRONG! I can't believe how different these clay bodies are. To begin my testing I am making a large bowl, a cup with a handle, a pot with a lid, and some test tiles with each body. I was having a some trouble with large bowls lately which prompted me to start testing all this clay I had sitting around. The large bowls went pretty much as expected the Frost, which is a beautiful white color and turns to glue when you wedge it, flopped over and the grayer clays had a nice plasticity. I have always been pretty puritan about my porcelain and have never wanted to use these darker bodies, but now I am thinking if they fire white and crack less why not?

After I let the bowls dry a little I did some decorating and moved on to the new forms. In between this time I read some great reviews of Miller's #16 which is the dirtier cousin of the #15 I am testing. I have personally never heard of Miller before, but they apparently started somewhere in New York and their clay is now mixed by Laguna in Ohio. So far I am liking the #15, but the handle will be the true test. I am curious to try the #16 now, as it seems well revered. I am also really curious about Laguna's Frost, after drying the clay out a little I threw a decent bowl with it today, so we'll see where that goes. Standard's #365 has been a vast disappointment. I had really wanted to switch to one of their clay bodies, but this clay is mixed too stiff for me and it's gray and blah so far. I am impressed with both of the clays by Sheffield and they might be the underdog of this group, but the Elaine's has already cracked where I cut the foot and that just won't do. The real test of course will be the firing, and I hope to do some of that this weekend. PS I just put a deposit on a used Skutt 1227 in great condition!!! Too excited about this. And finally some mugs in the studio. Bigger than usual.

Interim!

2009-09-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hey there...I've been plugging away in the studio. But here are some highlights:
Customized vases for my cousin Brigit's wedding, I didn't know I could do lettering so easily. Meaning I didn't know how well it would show up under my glazes, and my stellar cursive techniques. Although I have to admit, that I am nothing compared to my sister Caitlyn's calligraphy! This girl is seriously gifted.

If you or someone you know has an event you would like to customize with handmade pottery, contact me for more details at: tracy@tracymcevilly.com

As for the rest of my studio, I'm still working on inventory and I have been checking out what is available to local potters. I basically stumbled up Clayscapes Pottery in Syracuse, New York. The owner Don is really friendly and helpful, and they have clays by Standard as well as Miller. I am really excited to try out the samples I got last time I was there. On a trip to see some family in Hudson we also went to Massachusets to check out Sheffield Pottery. At Sheffield they mix their own clay and I'm also excited about these samples. So basically I should really be working in my studio right now, instead of sitting at this computer....For the past four years I have been a die-hard fan of Highwater Clay's Helios Porcelain but I know that shipping it in isn't practical, so when I run out of what I brought I will be switching to something available locally. I will post some tests when I make them. I have really been settling into life and getting a new routine. I'm excited about the work I've made, and want to make, but I'm also really happy with where I'm at and with what I have in my life.
I've also been making pancakes:

This recipe comes from potter and foodie, Stepehn Grimmer and it was basically as delicious as it looks. A perfect Sunday morning with pottery made by friends!

The Walk to the Studio

2009-08-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

If you've been reading then you might have picked up on the fact that I recently moved to a new studio I am VERY excited about. Here is the moment you've been waiting for, some pictures! One of the things I love about my new studio is the short walk from my apartment to the studio. Here are some shots along the way:

Right now the queen anne's lace is everywhere. I remember it growing along the railroad tracks by our house as a kid, and now it grows near the tracks on the way to my studio. I had kind of forgotten as I don't think it grows much in Florida. After I cross the railroad tracks, I reach the Cortland Corset Company, affectionally referred to as the Corset Factory.

The Corset Factory does manufacture undergarments under the label "Cortland Foundations".

The building also houses graphic design firm Hopko Designs and photographer, Roger Williams and has provided temporary space for sculptor Vaughn Randall an assistant professor at SUNY Cortland and his National Endowment for the Arts project this summer. So the building has already been a really exciting place to be. On a side note in the right hand corner of the shot below is my new car. After several months of being a full time pedestrian, I know have four wheels instead of two. Although I am not sure that these wheels will inspire any blog posts or revelations about function vs. form. Time will tell...

I thought I would miss Singleton's Seafood Shack, but now all I have to do is cross the railroad tracks to get some delicious fried seafood, or fresh seafood to take home. And they have real shrimp! I'm not sure if they supply us with any fuel at the Corset Factory, which is run on biodiesel, but something tells me they have plenty of fryer oil, as that is the only utensil in their kitchen. So up two flights of stairs, through the room of sewing machines, and then the pattern room:

And then I arrive in my studio, when I took these photos they were still in the process of finishing the walls.
So far my studio set up is some carts, a huge table, and my trusty old kick wheel I bought from Keith Renner about six years ago. I intend to put a glazing area in the right hand corner of this photo. Also more shelving will probably be in order.

My main focus right now is building up an inventory of work. I began with a series of dress vases which was really fun, and some larger bowls. I just finished a big quantity of cereal size bowls and big tumblers. I am focusing on making much bigger cups now thanks to a little nudging from Jeff. Next in the plans are more big serving pieces, single serving teapots, mugs, carafes and pitchers, working big, testing new clays, an earthenware project, the possibility of plates, and breathing.

Pottery Tour 2009

2009-08-05T04:15:00.000-07:00

I had really intended to get this post together shortly after the last one....but I can't seem to get into a schedule here. Mornings are spent in the studio. I come home for lunch, and then my day goes in several different directions. I told a friend that I just don't know what to do with myself while I settle in, and she said enjoy your life! Yesterday afternoon instead of going back to the studio I watched a movie, folded laundry, and sat on the porch with my boyfriend. It was simple fun, but it's sometimes hard to have as I usually feel like I should be doing something all the time. After a discussion of work and budgets (over gin and tonics), we enjoyed a late dinner of pakoras, an Indian fritter. I've never made them before and they are not only easy to make, but delicious with yogurt sauce. I think cooking might be the only time I don't feel a kind of guilt that I should be working.

Which leads me to the point of this post; how our vacation which now seems like it was so long ago turned into the Pottery Tour 2009. Basically we moved all of my stuff from Florida to central New York. In a Toyota Corolla. Packed to the gills. Literally. And then we bought more pottery. Sounds crazy to any logical person I am sure. After a tearful good-bye to North Florida and a stop to see family in Georgia we ended up in Asheville, North Carolina.

Asheville is one of a few places I have been where you can be right in the downtown enjoying restaurants, galleries, and more and then within minutes you can be hiking or enjoying beautiful views like this. They also have lots of pottery in Asheville which we spent two days looking at. If you like traveling and looking at art they also have some unique destinations like, Woolworth Walk and the River Arts District. I was looking for a really beautiful pot, but also I couldn't spend a lot. And I have more cups than my cabinets can hold. So that left a narrow market, for something I liked, could afford, and wasn't a cup. While driving to Philly to see friends we stopped in Floyd, Virginia (thank you Kari Radasch for the suggestion). It was a bit of a gamble, because it was Friday at dusk, and July 3rd so we thought there could be a possibility that the town could be dead, and it was a bit of a drive off the highway. By some stroke of luck, we came right during First Friday. We had fun walking around looking at galleries, and then we came across the perfect pot.

This is a beautiful, small batter bowl by Silvie Granatelli. She is a very well-known pottery living in Floyd. We were lucky enough to stumble upon a new gallery featuring her work, Troika. Also, the owner told me that I made their first sale. And this bowl is perfect. It is elegant and the edge is perfect for cracking eggs. As a potter, I love looking at pottery, and when I can buy it I love using it. So, I've realized those are the times I feel most at rest. Working in my studio, or using pieces from my collection while cooking. Here's a view of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which we took out of Floyd, Va towards Pennsylvania.

Back For More

2009-07-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

I have been on a bit of a blogging break as I settle into my new digs in Central New York, silly me I thought this was as upstate as you can get! Believe me it's as far as I'm going. As I gather up some images of new work and my new studio. Here are some shots from along the way. I already mentioned that we went to Moore in America, I really enjoyed this piece which has a beautiful patina. Overall I thought that it was a really lovely way to view art, through a walk in

the gardens. My favorite part of the gardens was probably the orchid house. There are so many more species than the ones you see at the grocery store. I never buy them although I am tempted to, as I don't really have a green thumb. I think it may be turning a bit, I have been gardening in my new home, but more on that later. The best part is the orchids that smell like cinnamon:

It was so lovely to walk around sniffing these. The roots that grow from the ceiling were just as mesmerizing in a different sort of way.

Although I really need to get another lens to do it real justice. I also found some other beautiful textures and shapes scattering amongst the grounds.

I had really intended to post these images early, so this week I will re-create the highlights of the 6 day trip up the east coast as best I remember with some photos. Also look for a "Welcome to My New Studio" post.

An Interim

2009-07-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

This Monday started a time period I have been waiting for for quite some time, my road trip on the way to moving! I decided, just now, over luke warm coffee that this is "the interim". It was supposed to just be one week on the road relaxing seeing friends, and family, etc. Then I would settle in New York look for a part-time job, start making work, and begin my new routine. But now, I am lucky enough to be going to Penland in about two weeks. For two and half weeks. This means I get even more time "off". Of course I immediately feel like I'm on the verge of freaking out, because I have nothing to do! Nothing to worry about, no job, no obligations. All I am supposed to be doing right now is....having fun. In fact I shouldn't even be checking my e-mail or anything, but then I would probably really freak out. Last week during my yard sale I was constantly re-arranging everything. I organized my boxes at least twenty times last week as my boyfriend watched in horror. I really don't know how to not be busy. So this is a real test, but I am hoping I will pass with flying colors. Yesterday we spent the day at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens for the "Moore in America" exhibit which is a fabulous way to explore the gardens, and if you can go their Orchid Garden is seriously a tiny piece of heaven. The afternoon was spent at the High Museum, a neat trio of buildings with a great collection, including a lot of folk art. Today we have a hike planned, and my first camping trip in a few years. I won't be able to update for a few days, but next week I will post a lot pictures from the trip. For the rest of the week, and the Fourth of July all I will be doing is having fun. And checking my e-mail nonstop of course!

The Process of Good-Bye

2009-06-14T13:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I loaded the gas kiln for the last time at Atlantic Pottery. I still have two weeks in North east Florida, but our class session just ended. For the rest of the month I am having a big sale in my online store. I'm struck by how thoughtful I've been lately about moving. The past four years have gone fast, and at times really slow. When I was in China last summer, the process of leaving was lengthy, and I'm feeling the same way as I prepare myself for the next chapter in my life. At least this time I gave myself three weeks to pack and prepare, but I think that sometimes when I'm packing I'm not making much progress, I'm just organizing and purging things from my life that I don't need to be attached to. Papers, clothing, random objects, so many things that I want or need and don't need at all. This is the part of moving I love, compacting my life into boxes and shedding all the dead skin. The personal good-byes are harder. As an adult I've never been afraid of picking up all of my stuff and moving somewhere else, this may have something to do with the fact that I don't really own any furniture, and since college I can't say that any of the places I've lived (mostly cheap apartments) really feel like home. I'm starting to relish things that I do for the last time here, like the kiln loading yesterday. Usually when I load the kiln I've got it down to a science, where some people may spend a day, I take two hours. I knock old glaze off shelves with a chisel, and don't think twice about anything, after all I've done it a hundred times. Yesterday it was hot, hot, hot! The heat index was 105 or something. But I got out the grinder, and really paid attention to the shelves, as I put them in. It didn't take much longer than usual, and I felt better about it when I was done. I have a lot of spare time right now, since I'm really only packing and working part time. But I think I'm learning full-time about the process of good-bye.

Function Follows Form?

2009-06-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

The other day I was hanging around the studio, glazing and waiting for the rain to stop. Currently this fabulous beach cruiser is my only mode of transportation. So while I could catch a ride in a car, I really don't want to leave my wheels behind. Finally the rain slowed enough for me to put on my windbreaker and go...my colleague thought I was nuts and it was way to wet to ride a bike. Which brings me to...the form. I bought this bike because it looks so rad. I don't think there was really any other factor that influenced my decision. I learned the value of it's function this year when my car broke for good, the fenders allow me to ride through puddles, and in light rain. Thursday night I enjoyed a lovely twilight bike ride, and arrived home to a rainbow over my house. My bike fabulous for it's look and it's functionality. So, are the things that are most pleasing to the eye also the most functional? For me this usually rings true, like in this style of teapot. The handle is nice to hold, and also allows you to hold the lid down while pouring. And I like the way it looks! This leads me to wonder do we automatically pick functional items based on the way they look, or the way they function, or do we choose them as the form and function go hand in hand?

MOVING SALE

2009-05-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Rumors are true....I am relocating and having a big sale in my online store! Come July, my studio will be in Cortland, NY a small town outside of Ithaca. The area is beautiful and a huge change from my beach life style. I couldn't be more excited. As I spend the next three weeks packing and saying good-bye to northeast Florida, YOU can benefit from my need to downsize. For the month of June anything I made in 2008 is marked down 25% off, a significant savings. Please visit my online store for more!

Some Things Never Change

2009-05-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

Lately when I've been working in the studio I keep seeing shapes and surfaces that I have used before. And it has struck me that no matter how far I feel I have come or how hard I work I am still constantly coming back to the same shapes and same thoughts about my work. It makes me wonder if there is some kind of blueprint to my work and when it was developed or how.

This is my latest cup, which took two tries to throw and some sketching, and is basically a variation of a cup I made for about two years before really concentrating on just throwing a simple shape. The dots, feel new, and the handle is a new method and form, but it's the same shape. The line design I used to paint with luster and is now applied with slip, but I didn't notice this until after the fact. And the foot I think is new, although I know i tried to create cut feet several years ago without success. I think this kind of phenomenon applies to other aspects of my life, for example the way I dress. No matter how many new things I acquire I still mix the old with them, and sometimes maybe like the old ones better. So it seems that in life and in work, I am searching for something better, or newer and coming to rest on the same ideas.

Identity Crisis

2009-05-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

So for months now I have been trying to establish myself as TRACY K MCEVILLY. I thought that it was a better "artist name". Sort of like when in fifth grade I insisted on spelling my name Tracie, because I thought it looked better. This name changing poses a few problems, one most people who know me don't know that my middle initial is K. So if someone wanted to find my work they would probably search "Tracy McEvilly". I hate to publicly admit that I "google" myself, but it's true. And more info comes up under Tracy K McEvilly, than plain old Tracy McEvilly, but Tracy McEvilly is more familiar to most people. Everytime I fill out show submissions, etc. I put in the K, to make myself sound more important. Then a few days ago I received a postcard for Jersey Shore Clay National. There it was plain old Tracy McEvilly. And it didn't bother me in the least. So I am updating myself to plain old Tracy McEvilly. It's who I am.

Fresh Work

2009-05-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

It's all flowers and bubble gum colors for spring. When I lined up all my work I wished I had finished it for Easter. I've never been very good at planning for holidays, I'm hoping I'll get better at it as time goes on. So here is the infamous tulip bowl, stage one. Some of the work I made this firing was more about the form, and less about the surface. I tried restraining myself, which of course backfired because I became less interested in the work. I did, however come up with some good basic ideas.

Every firing elicits a different reaction from me. In the past firings I have peeked in the kiln and prepared myself for disaster, only to be pleasantly surprised; fired a kiln load almost completely full of pots for the shard pile; and most recently had every emotion possible about my work until arriving in a satisfied place. My good friend Mandy told me as I was about to fire my first load of glazes I had mixed myself, you won't get the glazes exactly how you want them until about ten years from now. At the time I was a little discouraged, but of course hindsight is 20/20. I know that I probably still won't get the glazes exactly how I went them, but that feeling now relaxes me, and sometimes allows the "happy accidents" I wouldn't otherwise experience.

In my next firing you will see some more of these bubbly gummy colors, and my new forms playing dress-up with different embellishments. As I was loading up the kiln this morning with student work, and I remembered a critique where someone commented on my work, "You're going to hate this, but it's like venus flying trap playing dress-up" Now who could hate that?

Glazing Studio

2009-04-27T14:57:00.000-07:00

Last week I switched over to my glazing studio. I am a "process person". To me this means that I like to be making, then glazing, then I decompress, and then I start over. I think that a lot of potters in some kind of cycle. For me sometimes it's hard to take days off because I feel a looming guilt that I should be working, but at the same time I feel that it's important for my mental sanity to do that once in a while. I'm sure that people around me appreciate it too. Since graduating from college and learning to balance teaching, working, and creating I have found that re-arranging and cleaning my studio in between my processes makes my working process more efficient. It helps me set a clear beginning and ending to each phase. Here is a shot of my glazing studio all ready to go.

You might be noticing my fabulous Shimpo banding wheel. Lucky for me my boyfriend knows the value of a good tool. This is an essential in my studio that I use in every part of the process. I also love my stacking porcelain trays I got in China for mixing stains in, but I still use my ice cube tray from the dollar store too! This glazing load is a little small for me, but I'm trying some new things and also testing some new colors.

There are also some new forms in this batch for me which I am excited to see. I decided to leave my tulip bowls simple and glaze them in a similar fashion...for now. I also made a new vase form that I took a little further in the decorating process which has led me to a new conclusion and direction. This "new" direction is really a continuation of my work. If you know me you might know that I love dressing up, or you might only see me in dusty clothes at Atlantic Pottery Supply
I restrained myself in decorating my bowls, which led me to feel a little detached from them. So, I am going to be working an a series of "dressed up" forms, inspired by tulips and lotuses, then embellished with sprigs, slip trailing, stamping and maybe some sgraffito. If I can't wear a dress to work everyday at least my pots can! Of course once I got through my technical difficulties and finished this post....my kiln is downfiring right now, and I'll soon have some results. Check back for more.

Instead Of NCECA

2009-04-20T09:33:00.000-07:00

So while thousands of clay heads flocked to Phoenix to eat, drink, and talk dirt at the National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts Conference, I went to Chicago for my sister's baby shower and a quick dash through the art museum. I always love how rejuvenated I feel after a break, and the fresh perspective I have on my studio after walking away from it for a minute, or five days.

A party with this many cupcakes is right up my ally! I love the monochromatic scheme the bakery went with, and my parents kitchen walls matched perfectly. After a quick stay at my parents I spent the night in downtown Chicago. The cast iron architecture in Lincoln Park caught my sculptor boyfriend's eye, and mine too once he pointed it out to me. The Art Institute of Chicago had some snippets we saw up close the next day.

This particular piece is very thin, and I think copper plated. I love the intracacy in this pattern. In my own work I use a lot of color and pattern, but I like that this piece is one one. I think it really emphasizes the repetition. We really only had a quick run through the art institute as we had pizza on the brain, but here are some other highlights:
I really love the ridiculousness of this bird shaped casserole dish, I think it's the shear audacity of it that gets my attention. When I was still in college I hated work like this, in fact I referred to one of my current favorite potters as "that girl who makes chicken pots" Now these are the kind of things I want to take home and use, or put in my kitschy korner in the dining room. I enjoy being able to reflect and see how full circle I've come, it makes me wonder where the next circle might start and end.

Finally, The Bean!

The Ups and Downs

2009-04-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

This past week I experienced one of the main parts of being a working artist. Rejection. With a capital R. Now this is really nothing new to me, in fact often rejections don't phase me or slow me down. But three short polite letters in two weeks is a bit of a blow. Or so it felt like Friday night when I consoled myself with peanut butter cups and beer. I think it's a little difficult to accept that a cd of images and a resume doesn't really convey to the rest of the world just how hard you've been working or how much you feel that this time you really deserve it or have earned it. It being an international show, fully funded residency, scholarship, or grant. Luckily for me I had an awesome teacher who I haven't seen since my freshman year of college. I remember him saying that a critique should get you so spitting mad, that it should make you want to run to your studio and show them how good you really are. Which is what I am reminding myself to do after allowing an indulgence here and there and a little self pity. After all I still have two applications out, and five in process. Good thing the organic peanut butter cups I like are significantly smaller than a Reese's.

Still in Progress

2009-03-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

Ok Chickens, it's been a busy week. First I decided to roll with the tulip bowls and am now obsessed with tulips. Similar to my recent strawberry craze, and maybe just as short-lived. Here although are some gorgeous gerber daisies from the Fresh Market, where they must just be selling fake flowers disquised as real flowers because these are still kicking after over a week. I am hoping to have a pottery sale sometime soon with friends, or perhaps just sell some f-in pottery. I went to the library and paid my fines. $14! That is pretty shameful, and instead of getting books I had already paid fines on in the past I checked out two books about the arts and crafts movements, and one specifically about William Morris. This proved to be a good choice. First I discovered jewelry that looks likes it would translate beautifully to the silhouette of a pot.

Then last night I sketched some notes on this funny paper a friend gave me as I had left my sketchbook at the studio. Lately I have been watching tv and sketching, strange? Maybe. I used to listen to npr, but hbo just has so much to offer. I am thinking about trying some sgraffito, carving through colored slip, sometime soon, and I think this is a good start.

Works in Progress

2009-03-23T15:32:00.000-07:00

Today I continued a series that I have decided to call my tulip series. My boyfriend was sweet enough to buy me some beautiful tulips a few weeks ago, that I then did a water color photo of just before they wilted and fell apart. I love tulips because they remind me of when I was a kid and my mom would cut them for us to take to our teachers. I remember being young and going to school when school was still fun! She would always wrap the stems in a wet paper towel and then foil. After a few years it became seriously uncool to give teachers presents or even like them, but I remember when it was still ok, too. Here I have a new shape I am exploring, the sundae cup. You can view the first ones I made on my etsy page. I have made the new bowl lower and wider, and the stem taller. I am trying to avoid them looking like a goblet. For some reason I hate clay goblets. They make me cringe, something about a goblet just requires it to be made out of glass. For me. I don't care if people use my sundae cups as goblets. That is up to the user. I am also working on a different shape of bowl. It is made with slightly less clay then the one I have been making for the past year, and designed for a single serving. I made the bowl cup in slightly, and then cut the edge, in a lotus style, kind of like something I saw in China this summer. It really does look like a flower. I am covering it up in plastic for the evening, amd trying to decide if I stop myself, and excercise some "economy of design", or indulge myself and end up making something that might appeal to a smaller audience. It is really a question that is coming up for me now that I have more work available online. Who is my audience? Tulip lovers?

Welcome to my Studio...

2009-03-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

For the past four years I have been living and working in northeast Florida at Atlantic Pottery Supply. I think the best way to introduce myself starts in my studio. First, my apron collection, I always pick out an apron when I arrive at my studio, and I usually match it to my clothing....ridiculous, I know, but part of my process. To the left are some of the more delicate and less wearable type. Above are the functional ones, highlights include the rooster with the rhinestone eye, and I saw the apple apron worn by one of the crazy head wives on "Big Love". That pretty much made my weekend! Said apron was also given to me by a student which ups it's special factor. Sometimes I am jealous of my friends who get to dress up to go to work, and I am always dirty, I remedy this with a fabulous collection of aprons, go ahead be jealous!

Besides looking fabulous or fabulouso as my former boss used to say, I do actually make things in the studio. Most of my forms start on this kickwheel that I purchased from a friend while I was still in school. I think I paid about $120 dollars for it, on a whim, I had never even tried a kickwheel. This was worth every penny and more! I've had it for 6 years now. I am considering getting an electric wheel for bigger pieces, and the occasional terra cotta series, this one is impossible to clean, and will always be a porcelain wheel. I like using a kickwheel, because it's much quieter. Somewhere along the line I developed a ridiculous aversion to annoying noises, we all have our quirks I suppose....