Today was the first time I have ever been asked to write a true artist statement pertaining to a show I would like to have. I generally abhor putting things like that into firm writing because my emotion/brain changes so often that usually it is not a wise life choice. However it had to be done soooooooo........................here it is. I am hoping to have a show at some time in the coming year in which I explore function and the idea of whimsy......hopefully it will develop a little more by then!
Clay is my current obsession. I enjoy the deep connection between my hands and a medium that requires constant touch. I have chosen to move out of my comfort zone of more traditional thrown forms and into a space where the function of a piece is played with. This show will illustrate the ways in which function can be humorous and deceiving. I believe that even a sculptural piece can be functional when its purpose is to provoke thought.
I am deeply influenced by my desire to make pieces that are structurally sound while still being whimsical in their essence. This show is meant to toy with the definition of both function and whimsy and how they can be partners in the way the different thrown, handbuilt, and combination pieces relate with one another. These pieces are an expansion of my love of the very basic thrown form and transforming that to be more complicated and amusing with handbuilt touches.
Ta da heres to hoping I can make it happen!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
New Bisque
I had an embarrassing moment today.
Let me preface with the fact that I am not a trained dancer and in no way claim to be talented in the area of dance. However, my body just starts wiggling when I get really happy. Thus, today when I got to my current ceramics class and there was a bisque kiln that had just come out I danced/wiggled/made happy movements. These movements were misinterpreted by a guy in my class who asked if I was ok and if I was feeling alright. Apparently my moves are so sexy they make people want to have a doctor examine me. Oh good.
So despite the fact that I am no dancer, I was pretty ecstatic about the kiln that came out. It was the first firing from this class so far and I haven't thrown with this particular clay before so it was interesting to see how it came out. It is a Cone 6 clay and when bisqued it comes out a lush pinky color. I had some cups with handbuilt saucers come out that completely exceeded my expectations. They are the true manifestation of my idea that the less I try to be perfect, the better my work is. This said please be aware that I consider myself nothing more that a total novice, however it is still delightful to see your work come out without exploding or anything of that nature! Also I am thinking about applying to be in my first art show in the next week or so........we shall see. Hopefully they aren't to selective or it will be a while before I can show.
I need to sleep now and sadly I am totally going to calm my brain by imagining new teapot designs. But obsession will do that to you.
Let me preface with the fact that I am not a trained dancer and in no way claim to be talented in the area of dance. However, my body just starts wiggling when I get really happy. Thus, today when I got to my current ceramics class and there was a bisque kiln that had just come out I danced/wiggled/made happy movements. These movements were misinterpreted by a guy in my class who asked if I was ok and if I was feeling alright. Apparently my moves are so sexy they make people want to have a doctor examine me. Oh good.
So despite the fact that I am no dancer, I was pretty ecstatic about the kiln that came out. It was the first firing from this class so far and I haven't thrown with this particular clay before so it was interesting to see how it came out. It is a Cone 6 clay and when bisqued it comes out a lush pinky color. I had some cups with handbuilt saucers come out that completely exceeded my expectations. They are the true manifestation of my idea that the less I try to be perfect, the better my work is. This said please be aware that I consider myself nothing more that a total novice, however it is still delightful to see your work come out without exploding or anything of that nature! Also I am thinking about applying to be in my first art show in the next week or so........we shall see. Hopefully they aren't to selective or it will be a while before I can show.
I need to sleep now and sadly I am totally going to calm my brain by imagining new teapot designs. But obsession will do that to you.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Humour in the Muffin
This seems almost heretical that the first ceramic piece I write about it not the kind that I would ever encourage anyone to believe is art. The piece to which I refer is the large ceramic muffin my sister gave me for Christmas this year. It is a mass-production piece cast in the shape of a giant blueberry muffin. Though I don't even care for blueberry muffins this one is dear to my heart simply because it makes me happy. Someone asked me the other day what I would save from my house if there was a fire. I said the blanket my mother knitted for me and well my giant blueberry muffin.
Favorite things about the muffin:
1. The two fat blueberries sitting on the top that act as a slippery handle.
2. The sound the top makes when you set it down. It has a very satisfying clink.
3. The looks I got when I carried the muffin into my apartment building.
4. This muffin has the perfect amount of inner storage space.
5. I will never put muffins in this muffin.
6. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.
This muffin though it is not what I would consider authentic ceramic art work is totally inspiring to me. It is very pleasing. I want to make things that please people, I can only imagine making something that someone would save from the collapsing flame filled remnants of their house. The muffin was most likely intended for some adorable housewife who had a baking themed kitchen. I can only thank my lucky stars that my sister was smart enough to scoop up that thrift store find and open me up to a world of muffins and art. Maybe this muffin is not art, though who can really say. But it still finds a place in my heart and I find it totally aesthetically pleasing. In the end that is enough for me. Mmmmm muffins.
Favorite things about the muffin:
1. The two fat blueberries sitting on the top that act as a slippery handle.
2. The sound the top makes when you set it down. It has a very satisfying clink.
3. The looks I got when I carried the muffin into my apartment building.
4. This muffin has the perfect amount of inner storage space.
5. I will never put muffins in this muffin.
6. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.
This muffin though it is not what I would consider authentic ceramic art work is totally inspiring to me. It is very pleasing. I want to make things that please people, I can only imagine making something that someone would save from the collapsing flame filled remnants of their house. The muffin was most likely intended for some adorable housewife who had a baking themed kitchen. I can only thank my lucky stars that my sister was smart enough to scoop up that thrift store find and open me up to a world of muffins and art. Maybe this muffin is not art, though who can really say. But it still finds a place in my heart and I find it totally aesthetically pleasing. In the end that is enough for me. Mmmmm muffins.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Slurry to Spectacular
So in the past year I have developed what I would personally like to deem a healthy obsession. Anything to do with clay and I am pretty much ready to go. Hopefully this blog will be a good way for me to document my clay inspired transformation. Going from uptight art isn't good enough for me girl to full art/ceramic addict.
I may not be the most gifted ceramics student out there, but being passionate about something feels quite delightful. So until that ever so seductive connection with that ball of earth goes away, I am declaring that clay will be a part of me. When I tell the kids I babysit for that I like clay they say is high pitched mocking voices, "ooooooooh do you like it so much you wanna marry it...hahahhahahha?" So without shame I say basically yes. I dream in clay and if I can get a few of those dreams to come true my luck with clay will far outdo my luck with men. So I now declare clay my husband, and I declare myself to be clays happy wife. Yes I am taking it a little far, but it does make a nice little metaphor for the way that clay has sucked me into the art world again. So oh well.
Throw some rice. Call me crazy. I will only agree.
I may not be the most gifted ceramics student out there, but being passionate about something feels quite delightful. So until that ever so seductive connection with that ball of earth goes away, I am declaring that clay will be a part of me. When I tell the kids I babysit for that I like clay they say is high pitched mocking voices, "ooooooooh do you like it so much you wanna marry it...hahahhahahha?" So without shame I say basically yes. I dream in clay and if I can get a few of those dreams to come true my luck with clay will far outdo my luck with men. So I now declare clay my husband, and I declare myself to be clays happy wife. Yes I am taking it a little far, but it does make a nice little metaphor for the way that clay has sucked me into the art world again. So oh well.
Throw some rice. Call me crazy. I will only agree.
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