Linda Fahey at Ruby's Clay Studio

Ruby's Clay Studio in San Francisco

Today was a great day to learn some new skills. My friend, Christine, and I drove to San Francisco, only getting a little bit lost on the way to Ruby's Clay Studio. We watched a slideshow of Linda Fahey's work, and then watched her demo the process of using transfers and luster glazes on porcelain. It was a treat to see a complicated process, clearly explained, step by step. She's a great teacher, and it was nice to finally meet her in person!  We watched her carve effortlessly, and learned about the tools that she uses to achieve such lovely lines. Favorite quote: "The glazing process is a deep pool." Truer words were never spoken.

After leaving Linda, we headed to Grant and Susie's. Susie has built me a plate rack to hang on the wall above my sideboard for Open Studios. I can't wait to hang it up and to place the plates. Christine

and I had a great conversation on the ride down Highway 1, about not having patience for people that behave badly. I'm really struggling this year with some interpersonal issues, and it's comforting to hear good advice.

All in all, a wonderful day...

Working with Luster Glazes

Transferring Imagery onto the Plate

Carving

The Birdie Grows

Applying Floral Transfers

Cobalt and Transfers Together

Susie Made a Beautiful Plate Rack

Where Are We Going?

Nice pitcher with a heavy bottom, captured in a horrid photo...

Sometimes it's good to take a moment to stop and reflect on where we're going. I've had a kiln for a few years now. And, I feel like I've produced a lot of work. Am I getting any more skilled? Is my work staying true to my style? Has my craftsmanship and execution improved?

These are all good questions to explore. I usually like to stop working right before Open Studios, and then take a little break right after as well. It's a time to regroup, and reflect. It's time to make plans for the coming year. Do I want to make more wall pieces or do I want to head off in a sculptural direction? I would like to explore making more organic shapes in glass jars, so that will be November's startup project...

Canister with a heavy bottom in a terrible photo...

Freeform teal vase...

Recent vase with sanded finish...

Open Studios Art Tour Preview Exhibit

Loan Agreement

Today was the official day to drop off a piece at the Santa Cruz Art League Gallery. Part of participating in Open Studios, involves being a member of the Art Tour Preview Exhibit. It's an opportunity for people to visit the gallery before Open Studios, in order to get an idea of how the art actually looks in person. So, I drove my piece there after school. I also picked up some calendars, and my road signs. As the deadline draws nearer, the living room is basically empty. So this weekend, many pieces will be moved from the shed and placed in the "gallery".  I put up a few pieces last weekend, and am pleased with how the work looks on the orange walls.  Hopefully, everything will start taking shape!

No Seatbelt

Love the Cover

Road Signs

Birdie Wall Box

Cone 3 is the Cone for Me

Brown washed...

Cornflower shapes need a brown wash...

Coral and chartreuse shapes need a brown wash, too...

Sad party girl back view...

Cone 3 really makes the colors pop...

Facing the Music...

Clear glazing went surprisingly well...

The faces are finally done. We survived underglaze coats of turquoise and black. We made it through the process of sponging off those layers. The clear glazing process had three casualties. I warned the students that if they were not making eye contact, and listening carefully, they would not be able to clear glaze their faces. After all, kiln shelves are at stake. I made the directions very simple, and thought through every step. Three students were not paying attention, so I took their faces away. They were sad, but everyone else paid excellent attention afterwards. It's no big deal, because actually, their faces look better without the clear glaze, in my opinion. We'll add hanging wire to ALL of the faces tomorrow.

Love this one...

We will wire them up with hangers tomorrow...

Wrapping carefully for the drive over the mountain...

Ready to go...

Nuggets for the Glass Jars

Golden Yellow with Cornflower Blue on Top

Chartreuse with Coral on Top

Sanded to Show Yellow and the Clay Body

Taking a Break from Sanding

Stop Sanding and Pay Attention to Me

Tiffany Schmierer Redux

Tiffany and Liz

The Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center in Ben Lomond...

Several years ago, I took a wonderful class from Tiffany Schmierer as part of the Cabrillo Summer Arts program. That class was all about surface decoration. Tiffany pulled out all of the stops, we tried so many techniques. There were boxes of wonderful sprig molds and stamps that she kindly shared. My absolute favorite was a sprig mold of a saucy baby. She was definitely a generous, talented, and inspired teacher. Consequently, the pieces that I made in her class, are some of my best work. 

Today, Liz Crain and I attended Tiffany's demo at the Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center. She showed us how she constructs her narrative slab sculptures. Then, she devoted the last part of the demo to surface decoration. It was fantastic! I feel like my work has really grown since purchasing a kiln and setting up my own studio. So, it seemed like I learned so much more this time around. Thanks for the wonderful day!

Favorite quote of the day: "I'm a maximalist, not a minimalist." 

Sculptures in the art center gallery...

A giant ceramic cupcake in the gallery...

Constructing an air-filled base...

Adding dimension to the base...

Using a variety of thicks and thins...

Building it up...

Adding smaller elements...

The surface treatment part of the demo...

Love this biological piece...

The newest addition to the Hansen home...

Annual Wright/Hansen Birthday Dinner

My cigarettes match my outfit...

Grant demonstrates smoking like a man...

We talk about getting old, then head off for mocktails...

Downtown Los Gatos...

Awesome present: jars of goodies...

Totally cool metal letters and heart pin...

Sunset above Manresa Restaurant...

Take home treats...