Back

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....

An Interim

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!

Instead Of NCECA

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!