As most of you know, I am a bit camera shy. Last year I did demos on how I create my pottery and I really enjoyed it…… I think since I have such a passion for my work I wasn’t too nervous. It was actually fun, I look forward to more!
http://www.ehow.com/video_4941599_glazing-interior-pottery.html
Have I mentioned my new blog yet? Since becoming a mom, I searched and tried all kinds of ways to share my moments with friends and family who lived across the bay. I wanted something free that could show video, photos and stories. I was lucky enough to have found a great name that matched my new life…. Muddy Finger Prints, perfect.
I have posted my birthstory/experience, my cloth diapering and rants and raves about my new boy: http://muddyfingerprints.blogspot.com
Feel free to comment if you see something you like!
Before my baby boy was born, I already knew I wanted his nursery to be filled with an ocean vibe of violets, purples, and blues…. just like glaze palette.
Thanks to a little help from Vitale Bros. they made my vision come to life!
While I was pregnant, I heard it and heard it, “you won’t have time anymore to do pottery”. No matter what, I was determined to continue to create my beautiful pottery. I love everything about it….getting mud in my nails, the concentration and relaxation when throwing, the excitement of creating something new…I could go on and on here but you get the idea. But here we are 16 months later and I have not fired a single piece. To my dismay they were right…..sigh
I did, however, make a big step last month. I cleaned and organized my studio in attempt to get ready to create again. I came to realize I will need to fire all my work in my studio instead of St. Pete Clay Company where I fired all my previous work. I bought some low-fire clay and some earthy toned low-fire glazes to continue my palette. Since my time is VERY limited now trying to catch, feed, and clean my baby, I decided to make small jewelry pieces at first, to get to know the clay and glazes.
I love being a mother more than anything in this world. But I know as an individual person I must always create.
As most of you know, I was finishing up my photography degree at Eckerd College when I fell in love with ceramics. Photography has always had a place in my heart for many reasons, mostly from memories as a child. The photo album was always there for me to help put faces to stories. To see my mother, grandparents and people I never remembered meeting became fascinating to me. So as I grew into a creative spirit, I bought two steel body cameras and began learning that I could capture moments in time with a dark twist. You see, photography is a vital element in my life. I have learned from it, become saddened by it and used it to express all of these emotions. In fact, for my senior thesis I integrated my photography onto my clay vessels, which I titled a “Nature Urns”. They were to explain the death of nature.
This is beginning to sound drab, but its not. This is to explain the value of photography to my soul and its importance to me. That’s why I choose Warman Photography to capture my personal moments in time. This team of photographers have captured my wedding, my baby shower and my baby…all of critical importance to me. I highly recommend them and have added some information about Meghan, the talented artist below. So if you ever need a talented, skilled visionary, contact warmanphotography.com
About Meghan:
I have had a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember.
The beginning for me was my high school photography class. My dad lent me one of his cameras for the class, and I have never given it back. The camera got a bit dusty through college and for a while after when the real world intervened. Then for kicks I brought it along to a friends wedding. And that was it. I began to apprentice with a number of wedding photographers in Orlando before moving to the west coast of Florida and starting Warman Photography in 2001.
Weddings are special to me because not only do I get to share in the love that the bride and groom have with each other, but every wedding I attend strengthens my own marriage vows. And now that I have children, I see the importance of preserving those special moments as well and all the joys that come along with being a parent.
I consider myself a lifestyle photographer, capturing events as they unfold. Whether it be a bride seeing her groom for the first time or a newborns first smile. There may be times I suggest a location or situation, but for the most part, I want to see you as you truly are and how you interact with each other. I prefer not to have a studio so that I can make images in places that are special to you: your home, your favorite park, even the beach.
I love the relationships that I have fostered over the last 8 years and the peeks I get into the lives of my clients. Along the way clients turn into friends, friends turn into parents and take me along for the ride.
I have been so busy lately with my baby boy that i haven’t even TOUCHED any clay….oh how i miss it. In between feeding, burping and laundry i simply have no time. SO I have decided to move forward with some smaller clay concepts, like jewelry. In the past I have made some necklace stars that turned out really cool, so I will begin with those and see where that leads me, don’t want to over think it.
My goal is to create dramatic pieces to put on a necklace. I plan on using the same patterns and textures I have in all my work but firing it all at home. These will be low-fired, so will the clay and glaze. Using low fire products will change my color palette and open it to a new variety. I have already begun sketching my ideas…….can’t wait to dig in!
Keep posted here for the work!
Hopefully you haven’t caught the cold that is taking over Florida, but if so here is a way to get better faster! It worked for me. My cold only lasted three days.
2 slices fresh ginger (3 if you like a stronger flavor)
1 fresh lemon slice
1 full cup hot water
3 second squeeze of honey
1 handmade mug
Mix all together! Breath in the aroma, sip slowly and enjoy the time….that’s where the mug comes in handy. The comfortable handle and smooth edge lets you reflect on the enjoyment of handmade crafts. ENJOY!
About a year ago, I demonstrated my techniques on expert village. I have been waiting for so long to see how the video turned out…. and after searching, I found the link here: http://www.expertvillage.com/expert/1822.htm
What a great experience!
Maybe it’s the cold weather, or maybe it’s the timing in my life but I FEEL INSPIRED. While my current work is selling well (at the St Pete Clay Company) I am in the need for a new look and feel. My plan is to begin creating a new body of work focused on simple forms and colors. I want to add more brushwork and contrast into my forms.
This weekend I plan on buying some beautiful white lowfire clay and black underglaze. Instead of saltfiring these, I will fire them in my kiln in my studio and experiment with textures from home. Being a mother now has really grounded me at home where i realize i am inspired everyday with personal objects.
I will keep you posted with each step. Here is a sample form of some greenware that has some texturing that will be used again in my new work. I will call this new work “Grounded”
Every holiday season i get so excited about giving gifts. And as you have guessed, it’s usually a personalized ceramic piece. The response i received is heartwarming. I love all the hugs and kisses!
Personalizing any gift really speaks volumes about how well the gift will be remembered and kept. Maybe it will have a favorite color, design or name on it……It can really show your loved one how much you care.
This post is to open your eyes to the value of handcrafted art made with thought and care not machine made imposters…just something to think about during this holiday season.
Happy Holidays to Everyone
