I'm asking for it...

Yesterday, my niece, a joyful little 3 year old, came over to play. She sat at the wheel and poked, prodded, and embraced the clay. She sat across from me at my second wheel. It was all very cute, etc. etc. As she finished a "pot" and wanted me to come cut if off, I said, "Ok, let me finish this pot... Just sit there and be patient and watch me throw." She looked at me and then quickly looked over her left and right shoulders, looked back at me with a questioning look, and said, "Where?" HA! I laughed and explained that the word "throw" in pottery is the word for turning the clay on the wheel into a pot.

She is growing up, just as I did, with an insiders view of the artist at work. Seeing an artist really working at their craft, day after day, with a seriousness far beyond what some people see as a "hobby" makes a huge difference in a child's understanding of art, both past and present, famous and local. Basic education used to include pretty serious drawing and painting lessons. Among many things, this would show the difficulty of the craft and stir a profound respect for those with the skills to make a living from it (or try!). Unfortunately, a lack of art education has been going on long enough that we have even gotten to the point where many adults have no concept of this. And unless an adult seeks out a deeper understanding of art, there will not be any reference point for their children... and pattern continues.

This subject fascinates me. It gets very messy because it is the result of an amalgamation of pretty heavy subjects: cultural changes in freedom of the individual, religions and philosophies, public sentiments toward art, educational policies, technology, mass production and outsourcing, and even the role of the family. As you study art history, you can see the gradual decline of public desire for and understanding of the modern artist. Some of the modern art and most of the post-modern or contemporary art is alienating in its very core. And it has done just that. Alienated the individual from art. Rather than engaging the viewer in any capacity, its purpose, as stated by the artists themselves and as spoken by the artwork itself, is to shock, to push away, to elude.

Well, we have gotten our results. The public has a natural desire for art and beauty but no where to turn. Educating kids in art and art history is seen as dispensable. Some are angered, confused, apathetic towards the art world and turn away or ignore. People's experience with art consists of elementary crafts, color by number, and second grade tracing mixed with a head knowledge of a few names... The Mona Lisa, The Waterlilies, Sunflowers, The David.

Art is a skill. It is a gift that some people have, just as a mathematical mind or a natural born leader. But just like those things, it requires massive amounts of time in practice, honing, developing and enhancing. I have all the patience in the world for adults and children alike who have no background or beginning of understanding about art. We have to rebuild the understanding. Let me encourage all of you: don't let it elude you. Don't be intimidated. Like what you like and learn more. Ask questions. Seek out beauty in your life whether it be in the color of your walls, the shape of your kitchen cabinet knobs, the mug for your coffee, or the painting above your mantle.

An idea

The Freer and Sackler Galleries in downtown DC often have events and lectures open to the public. A recent email from them included this wonderful picture. Wanted to share a great wall o pots!

I've also been doing some research on third world pottery and potteries in Asia for various reasons. I recently came across these photos of Potter Square in Baktapur. Incredible! All hand made.

A little bit of trial and a lot of error

Yesterday I tried my hand at a new technique. I've never thrown a huge pot, I've never learned how to! But a fellow potter posted some pics from a recent workshop so I thought I'd give it a shot. I threw a few bases a little small so that I could just try out the technique without the added pressure of keeping an enormous amount of clay under my thumb! After throwing a base, I let the pot "set up" a bit. My blow torch was a hair dryer. Then you add coils.

My coil adding went pretty well. I tried it a few different times but ultimately something failed each time. The first base wasn't tall enough to begin, I didn't let another get stiff enough (patience is key), I threw the coils of another out further than the base could handle and it split where the wall meets the wheel. I loved it. I'll give it another shot some time soon and let you know how it goes! Any potters' have advise?

Glenfidich

Over the weekend Jennie and I got a chance to go to Glenfidich Farm. The farm is just west of us, near Leesburg, Va. We've been there before but it is always a delight! Richard Busch and Olwen Woodier own Glenfidich and have what I think is a dream of a set up.
The Farm: Glenfidich is a "170 year old former dairy farm located near Hamilton, just outside of Leesburg in the beautiful Virginia Piedmont region of Western Loudoun. Originally called Gobblers Knob after the multitude of resident wild turkeys on the farmlands, it was later renamed Glenfidich -- Celtic for 'Valley of the Deer' -- to celebrate the many deer that continue to reside on the property." After a long way down a pebbled drive you come to a few humble buildings and converted barn with gorgeous land surrounding them. Richard and Olwen grow vegetables and herbs and keep chickens (for fresh eggs!).
The Pottery: Richard Busch is a wonderful potter with incredible knowledge, experience and talent. He has created a work and living space that is ideal for a potter. The land around him must be so refreshing and inspiring. He was outside under a porch with his wheel set up when we arrived. Throwing outside may be one of my favorite things! He had the ease and friendliness of a potter and graciously showed me around. He has a huge Japanese influence, reminding me of the potters I most admire. His pottery is graceful and substantial at the same time. His vases and large bowls have an ease about them that reminded me of him. They were definitely my favorite. The seemingly spontaneous decoration on his pots is very traditional of Japanese aesthetics but he makes it his own.

The Cookery School: Olwen, a wonderful and energetic British woman, runs Glenfidich Farm Cookery School. Anyone can go take classes with her! Check out her classes and themes on the website. Makes my mouth water just reading it. A little while ago she bought some of my sister's handmade aprons for her school. She has written cook books and used to write for the New York Times Living section. Richard invited us up to their kitchen/living area where I fell in love with the light and airy ceilings, hand made pottery, exposed woodwork, and open cooking space. You can see that their creativity is bursting!

The Wheel

Yesterday, at one of my many jobs, a co-worker told me that she had a surprise for me in her car. A few hours later we went out to her car and a Brent Potter's Wheel was waiting inside! She used to do recreational pottery and the wheel had been in storage for 15 years so she kindly passed it on to me... I couldn't believe it!

The wheel is the tool a potter uses to spin or turn the clay and form it. Wheels can spin either direction and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, from kick wheels to these motorized ones. And just like cars, wheel motors make a big difference in what the machine can handle. You woulnd't try to pull a stump out with a Mini Cooper and a potter wouldn't try to throw 50 lbs of clay on a lower model wheel.

I will have to take it apart and check out the motor but I'm looking forward to having two wheels for a little while. I may eventually sell my Shimpo (another brand of pottery wheels) because the foot pedal is a little bit of a pain. As you can see in the pictures, the Brent Wheel (top left) has a foot pedal that you can move into a comfortable position as you throw. The Shimpo's pedal is attached right to the side with a metal stick jutting up which is supposed to be for adjusting the speed with your hands. I detached the metal stick on my Shimpo to get it out of my way but still get a little frustrated with the pedal itself.

Why would I want two wheels at a time? Well, if I throw a large pot or a pot that requires a second step (meaning that I need to let it stiffen up just a little bit), it would be convenient to be able to leave it on the wheel and come back to it rather than moving it to a shelf and back again, allowing for any number of "whoops!" moments. Its a young potter's luxury...

Inspiration

Junk shadows. A crazy idea.... check it out.

Thanks to SLM for the heads up!

[Warning: may be some offensive content]


Also, if you are interested in installation art or sculpture check out Oddee, a website devoted to finding and sharing really wacko, interesting things. See below:

Typewriters:












Pencils:








Storm Drains:

You're a what?!

"What do you do?" is a common ice breaker question along with "where are you from", etc. While it can't completely define someone, context is important for getting to know a person. Its a quick little introduction and insight into what they've chosen and what values they have. For a few, it is an easy answer: their full time job is what they "do". For many though, it brings a rush of confusion: Do I tell them my full time job even though that's not me and I don't want to be pigeon-holed? Do I give them a list of my hobbies? Because money and circumstances play such a huge part in what a person "does", many times what they "do" and who they are don't necessarily match up.

Even though I am currently hold about 4 jobs to bring in income, I have one way to answer that question: "I am an artist." Every time I tell someone new that I am an artist, a potter, an apprentice and the like, I know people will wonder at what I "do". It is an unlikely job in this city of politics and engineers. Its like having a great party trick to pull out.
I rather expect people to question my legitimacy in claiming I am an artist but I've come to realize something even more simple. Most people want to say, "You are a WHAT?!", not questioning legitimacy but questioning what that word means. Naturally, when something is not clearly defined or is uncommon, there is a little confusion or hesitancy on the subject. Even after explaining a little of what "artist" means in my case, there are usually blank looks. An "artist" does not have the same head nod of understanding that a "government contractor" or an "engineer" or a "consultant" has, yet all of them have extremely vast and open ended possibilities of meaning. After saying I am an artist I have gotten responses on a wide spectrum. There is anything from the 1. Vague, faraway comment and avoidance of further inquiry, to the 2. Genuine excitement and questions, to 3. Blunt, a little hostile questioning of what the flip that is supposed to mean, to 4. A good-for-you, isn't-that-nice attitude where a head pat and assumption that I must not really need to work would be right in line.

Sadly, many people's experience of art comes from a mixture of make and take crafts in elementary school and a historical memorization or recognition of some famous artists or pieces of artwork. At times it is disappointing to constantly have to explain, no, more than that, defend your calling. But I can't help but be refreshed by the fact that each person I tell is a new person to introduce to the long forgotten but oh so vital and natural side of humans that craves, enjoys, needs beauty in their lives.

Line and Design

[WARNING: This is not a pottery post!]
One of my favorite things to do is take an object or image and turn it into a design by paying attention to line: lines that are visible and lines that are invisible. Invisible lines?! Yes. They are the lines that are not really there but have a strength of presence because your eyes follow them around the composition, they separate shapes or colors, they distinguish shadows, etc. I find a wonderful challenge in figuring out which are those most vital lines and watching the object or image appear with just the suggestion or outline. I think this sort of drawing lends itself well to logos and textiles, two avenues I may pursue on the side in the future. I've been able to do a little bit of it in the past few years. I designed the logo (see image on right) for a local Library Friends group in Reston, VA (FRRL). I also designed the letterhead for the Maryland State's Attorney for Baltimore County, Scott Shellenberger (image at top left).

Recently, a friend of mine asked me to draw an image for her wedding invitation and program. I was so excited to oblige! She will have delphiniums as her main flower and wanted an image of that flower to continue the theme. I came up with four choices as you can see in the sketches below (sorry they are crooked!).
She chose the one below:It will be interesting to see it printed!

OUR SHOW!

Thank you to all who made it out to our show this past weekend! Everything went better than we could have expected and it is always fun to see friends and make new friends.

I am anxious to get back into the swing of normal, nonshow life! Regular postings will hopefully begin again.

What the show holds....

Hope to see you this weekend! If you can't make it, I'll see you on here again in a few days...

Kiln loads

We unloaded a glaze kiln tonight. Like I said before, its like Christmas! I am trying a new glaze combination of a bronze green, blackish blue, and cream and am SO pleased with the results! I can't wait for the show but there is so much to do in the mean time.

I will take some teaser pictures tomorrow!

All in the Family!

As is often the case, the art gene runs strong in a family. Many of my relatives have pursued or are pursuing art, all in varying degrees and fashions. My cousin Cameron is graduating from high school and is hoping to be an artist. Here you can see some of his wood carving work. He carves so quickly and really has an eye for balance and proportion. He is creating a lot of faces and people right now, even making his little busts into wine stoppers. Besides wood carving, for which he has won various awards, he is trying his hand at drawing, painting, and even some pottery! It is great to see an artist starting out, figuring out the perfect medium, the right path.

Most artists get their hand in every art form they can and the hard part is focusing. Some find their focus pretty quickly, others take much longer, and the really intense ones keep their hand in a few, becoming accomplished in all of them. One of the failures of an artist is, I think, when the dabbling becomes the focus and no real skill or eye is acquired in any one area. I found it hard to "just say no" in order to devote myself to really learning pottery. I have come to realize that "no" does not mean "never" but there must be a strong sense of responsibility to your craft, just as with any other calling or vocation. Without that sense of responsibility and personal dedication you get yourself fired ... though in an artist's case your public and, ultimately, your own identity are the ones who "fire" you.

Go, Go, Go!

We are in full show mode down in the studio. There are lots of things happening all at once. I came home from one of three jobs today and threw a bunch of things including a planter! Not a huge one but pretty good size. I really like it and think I'll do more planters eventually. I work part time for a garden center and love the enthusiasm for planting from coworkers and customers. Planters seem like a natural outpouring of that. Will post pictures as they develop.

Also excited about the numerous bud vases I've thrown. I'll be glazing a bunch tomorrow and can't wait to see the results!

Hope you are saving the date for the show... Less than two weeks!

Summer Studio Sale!

New Clay

I bought some new clay a little while ago and was able to use it for the first time this week. I have wanted to try out a really dark, almost black, clay and this is as close as I've come so far. I threw a bunch of things and the color was hard to capture but I think these little bud vases and platter show the color pretty well. I'll let you know how the clay turns out after firing and glazing. I have to do some tests since I have no idea what our glazes will look like on this clay. Just a fun little jaunt from the norm.

We are getting ready for a home sale (I'll post our card pretty soon) and are throwing, firing, and glazing like crazy. These next two weeks should produce some great pots! I've been drawing a lot lately too, just little things, but I'm trying to organize my time so that I'm able to do both. Maybe I'll post some of those as well.