"The chief source of art is man's pleasure in his daily work, which expresses itself and is embodied in that art itself."
William Morris (1834-1896)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Prairie Results

Here are the results of the last kiln including some the Prairie pieces shown in the last post here.
The first look inside
The complete picture

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Prairie

Way back when, Steve attended a workshop at the Kohler factories in Sheboygan, WI. The Kohler family has supported the Arts in major ways. One way is their beautiful gallery, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and another is their commitment to providing an interactive exchange of ideas and techniques between the factory workers and artists, The Clay from Molds Workshops. Studying under the example and direction of Richard Notkin and Jack Earl, Steve gained the technical ability to make his own plaster molds and nurtured his creative ability to use a mass production technique as a means rather than an end.
Our web page Showroom in the 'Prairie' style shows the results. Here's how:






















































Assembling the handles
Almost done...



Did you say that casting cuts down the work time?

Lady Slipper

We are in the studio, making orders. Here are some photos of my work on a Lady Slipper:
Incubation

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

2011 NCECA Conference

The 45th Annual NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) conference will be held at the Tampa Convention Center March 30-April 2.
This is THE big national event for Ceramic Educators at all levels. Many potters like to attend these conferences as well because of the caliber of the programs and presenters not to mention the attendees. The Tampa Bay area will be bustling with related activities including many concurrent gallery shows.
Steve and I are fortunate enough to be included in a show called 'Contemporary Traditions of Art Pottery' at The Craftsman House in St. Petersburg, a wonderful bungalow transformed into a gallery and cafe with adjoining ceramic studios. The owners Jeff & Stephanie Schorr(a potter herself) have put an incredible amount of effort in their venture. The result is that their gallery/cafe has received several notable awards and is a vibrant part of the community. If you are in or go to the Tampa Bay Area, don't miss their place. If you are there between March 12- April 10, check this show out.


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Return from Baltimore 2011

Check out www.kazistudio.com
We made in back home though not up the driveway until today. Seems there was a snow/ice storm followed by rain which we were unaware of while we were away. Made a note not to rely on the Weather Channel instead of our neighbors!!
Here are some great photos of friends and neighbors alike along with their websites so you can check them out. The show had 700 artists of the same caliber so if you missed it, you can enjoy these very fine examples.


This is the work of our good friend Marilyn Endres & Eucled Moore...just incredible!
Mary Pratt, former master potter at Ephraim Faience
Check out www.prattclaystudio.com


Right down the aisle from us.. Mikio & Cheryl from CA

Check out www.nichibeipotters.com

Across from us, dear Deborah & David's Teabag Lampshades

Check out www.beelinestudio.net

Gorgeous lidded crystaline jars by Debra Steidel

Check out www.debrasteidel.com
and our good friend from Manhattan, John with his boxes...

Check out www.johnrussellboxes.com