Applying for Open Studios

Ceramic Miss Havisham Cake

I took last year off from applying to Open Studios. I definitely needed a break. And, it enabled me to work at a leisurely pace, making things without worry. I made a lot of stuff that I didn't like very well, but I also made some things that are happy inducers. I am going to download these to the application website. It's up to the jury to decide.

Mixed Media Ceramic School Lunch

Kitchen Wall Plates

Totem

Saucy Ofrenda Vases

Marie Antoinette Tricolor Ceramic Cake

Worries 

Coffee Waiter

Giant Ceramic Molars

Ceramic Nests

Ceramic Cupcake Boxes

Mixed Media Bottles

Attention Hackers:

Dear Hackers,

This is me. I teach fourth grade. I am a ceramic artist. What are you hoping to gain from constantly poking around in my blog? I have next to no money. I am small potatoes. Literally, I am a tiny, impoverished potato... Please go bother someone else.

This blog was started to give me something to work on during teacher staff meetings. Now, it's just a receptacle for photos of my work, and for my memories. I'm not sure what possible interest it could hold for you.

Sincerely,

PolkaDotClayStudio

Sergei Isupov Demo

Sergei sketches out the three dimensions with watercolor first...

I bought one of his porcelain pins...

He curves the bases, to prevent cracking on a flat bottom...

Had an awesome catered lunch...

Painting monkeys on the darted, slabbed head...

He made a hand in literally five minutes...

These were some little cooking pots made by his daughter...

Detailed back side of the sculpture...

This is his workspace as he paints with underglaze...

Civic ineptitude on view at my sister's flooded house...

"C'mon Baby, Mama Needs a New Pair of Teeth."

Filling holes and cracks, just like at the dentist...

Spent all day glazing wall plates and other work...

Sanded and ready for the second trip to the kiln...

This egg salad sandwich is going on a lunch tray...

This cutie can hang on the wall...

Another egg salad, this time, a wall sculpture...

Tonight's firing is pretty full with kid work...

Dental worries and dependent animals...

My recent dental troubles have been haunting me...

Sanded, aged, and ready for the second kiln firing...

A Riot of Color

Love the variety of color schemes...

Each year, I teach my students about Native Californian basketry. They learn about the variety of basket styles that were created for use in the early days: Decorative Storage Baskets, Conical Burden Baskets, Winnowing Baskets, Food Preparation Baskets, and Fish Traps. I like the idea that it requires a great deal of focus and patience. Once you learn how to make a basket, you never look at another basket the same way. This year's crop of baskets were very colorful, just like my class! It was a pleasure seeing students sitting together, talking while weaving, during center time.

Jasielle focused on purples and blue...

This one is one of my favorites...

Jennifer gave her basket a handle...

Anthony used variegated string...

All of them started out as purple dots...

Love the patterned rim of the dark one...

Mia's purple and blue decorative basket...

That black pattern repeating...

These little guys pack a wallop...