High Fired

I have two passions that rule my life; ceramics and graphic design. I have had the honor of working with some great people in both industries. In fact, recently while working as a freelance art director for St Pete Clay Company, I had the great opportunity to meet one of the biggest influential ceramic artist of this century, Don Reitz. It’s these moments that I feel so lucky to have my two passions overlap.

At a very young age and as an only child, I found a closeness to music and art. I bought records/tapes (guess I’m showing my age here), art books and visited the Dali Museum every chance I got. My mother was an actress and signer so she supported any art interest I conveyed.

During my teen years, I starting questioning how design influenced everyday life. I wondered why common commercial objects used certain colors or text styles (later to find out those were fonts) on their packaging, on billboards and even traffic signs. At that time, I had no idea what graphic design was but knew I loved the way typography and imagery looked when mixed together.

I have been a ceramic artist since 2002, but have been creating graphic design since 1993. These days I have combined the love of ceramics and graphic design. By creating ceramics forms and adding graphic textures and patterns to the pieces, I create unique works of art that relate directly to my influences. I am currently exploring text and photography on my round forms. It’s an exciting challenge that leads me to new ideas about clay and design. I promise to post some of these pieces from my “Reliving Design” series once fired.

The first annual Thro - a - Thon was a hit! People came out just for the event. Charlie Parker ended up doing two demos with 100lb of clay. Amazing. I have a feeling St. Pete Clay will continue doing an annual Thro - a - Thon next year and I hope to be there again, and get a chance to win the Highwater Clay gift certificate. Here are the pieces made by each team during the 45 minute team build game.

Our team was me, my husband (his first time playin with mud) and Charlie. We created the Sea Grotto:

Here are all four team builds:

And the winner is…..

“Rocker Dude”  The team consisted of three new visitors of St Pete Clay Company.

Darin and Daniela Griggs, and Shannon Lafon laughed and giggled as they added details to their “Rocker Dude”. Thanks guys! Hope you enjoy your $25.oo Gift Certificate. See you at the next event!

This weekend I have planned a fun event: St. Pete Clay Companies first annual Throw-a-Thon. I’m looking forward to seeing who will attend, but mostly the clay events. Check out St. Pete Clays website for additional information. My husband will be the DJ (of course) and Charlie Parker will be the host. Here are the events scheduled: mud toss, musical throwing and a team build project.

It all begins at 4:00 this Saturday, March 8th, and lasts until 7:00, or until we close up. There will be a 100lb. bowl demo given by Charlie “Big Bowls” Parker around 6:00. This, alone, is worth seeing!

In the gallery, I will have my all atmosphere work displayed, right next to work from some of the most respected ceramic artists in the world. Artists such as Don Reitz, John Balistreri, Matt Long, Steve Loucks and McKenzie Smith. This show will last through April and I am honored to be a part.

Hope to see you there!

Here are my friend Laura’s daughters enjoying their tea in my Ocean Series coffee mugs. They are very creative as well and really enjoy using handmade products. They say they would choose handmade items over “cookie cutter” products anytime.

Brittany is 14 and plays soccer, volleyball and is teaching herself Korean. One day she wants to become a foreign exchange student in Asia. Kylie is 15 and is also athletic. She is truly a computer genius and currently make codes and layouts for Myspace…amazing talent!  Thanks girls hope you love em’!

Many people are calling St. Petersburg home these days. St. Pete is a cool, laid-back town that is beginning to show its face on the mainstream art road map. There’s always been a underground awareness of artists but big city folk have found us out. Recently, there have been new art businesses popping up in our cute downtown district, which I completely support if they would just give back. Tampa is even maneuvering there way over the bridge. New galleries are opening but they are only thinking of themselves. 

I understand the monetary needs of our town, but their forgetting about why they came here in the first place.What about the st pete artists whom have laid the groundwork? Big city folk have egos and think their place is only for big city artists, and the tampa peeps want to only promote tampa artists. What made St. Pete the reason for their move? I’ll tell you, it is the artists and artists community. They want to profit from our work.  

I am thrilled st pete is growing, I’ve seen alot of changes for the better in my 32 years of living here, but I feel like these selfish business owners have overstepped their boundaries. It’s not very St Pete of them to charge $15 (for-profit gallery) to walk and see an artist only they know from their city? The owner of the gallery is from New York, where $15 for a art show is cheap. Here’s my point, what made St Pete is now getting stepped on by the new deep pockets that have overtaken our quaint town and pushed us artists trying to promote ourselves under the carpet. 

SUPPORT ST PETE ARTISTS!     

1. Throwin - This is the first step of production. During this step I have an idea, a drawing or sudden impulse to create. I keep this spiritual walk open to direction and pay attention to the clay, but the ultimate goal is to be centered and balanced.

 2. Refinin - The time on the wheel represents about 10% of the commitment the piece requires. While the time on the wheel establishes the pieces basic form and function, it doesn’t represent the final appearance. The piece is set aside to firm up so that I have time to handbuild the detailed accessories, handles, etc. to attach. This has become my favorite aspect. During this time I also trim the  excess clay and its final form is established. 
  
3. Bisquein - This is the first firing to set the stage for glazing. I bisque at home in my low fire kiln for about 8 hours. Let it cool for about 12 and unload.
  
4. Firin - Typically I use a soda kiln and reach 1800 and 2350 degrees respectively. While I have a vision of what i expect, the kiln can alter the final product in a heartbeat - place a piece in a cool spot or a hot spot and the outcome can be very different. Being open to the surprises is both joyous and interesting.    

I wanted to share a new member of our family, his name is BLUE, and hes only six weeks old. My cousin Jayme just brought him home and he is the cutest puppy ever…Of course I plan to make him the perfect doggie bowl….always thinking ahead!    

I had some new friends over recently and proudly showed them my home studio. Usually I get the same questions so I have really perfected my answers to make them clear and concise. Like, “How long will it take you to finish a piece?” or “Is this where you fire it?” but the statement I received from my friend’s husband was a bit strange.

Now keep in mind, I may have been a bit sensitive (the Libra in me comes out sometimes), but it was the first time someone said the words. After showing the studio he responded with “Aww, a hobby… that’s cute.”

My response was, “Well, no not really. I’ve been doing this for a while now and am selling most of my work.” That was that. But I felt degraded and realized the public is truely uneducated on pottery and ceramics. He meant no harm, so I thought about how I should educate the public on the process of pottery.

My next entry will show and explain the detailed steps of creating high fire ceramics. Stay posted!

I am offering private lessons and also teaching in March. In my studio, I have two wheels — perfect for you and a friend. Give me a call if you are interested in fun, private lessons 727-560-0340.

I will also be teaching on Wednesday nights from 7-9 at St Pete Clay Company. Here’s the info: Level 1 - 3: This is the ideal class for those new to the pottery wheel. From centering the clay to trimming and finishing, students will learn all the essential steps in creating and bringing home their own piece of functional pottery.  $115 S.P.C.C. members/$130 for non-members + $30 material fee

Simply call S.P.C.C. at (727) 896-CLAY (2529) and sign up today. Spots go quick!

Under this category, “Where in the world is Saltwater Ceramics”, I will showcase where my hand-crafted pottery currently lives. Most of my clients have a passion for their piece, why else would they buy it? So it makes me feel good to know its going to a good home. Thats why I wanted to share an image of the piece and its new owner.This one shows my friend Brooke. She purchase two of my fish bowls with bamboo. She is a fond lover of Saltwater Ceramics and has actually begun a collection,which I deeply thank her for practically on a daily basis. Thanks Brooke ENJOY!