Our culture and environment has a big impact on how we create. Here is an insight to what curves our art as potters living in 2010:

Charlie Parker’s influences include people, food and how it relates to pottery, music and pickle ball (of course). For Laura Irmis her influences relate around music, museums, movies, beer, nature and travel.

As potters, daydreaming is part of our job….Come see what we’ve dreamt up this summer at our inaugural summer art show this Saturday.

From stunning big bowls created by Charlie Parker to surface treated vessels created by Laura Irmis we, at Saltwater Ceramics, turn our daydreams into reality.

Join us for our inaugural summer art show Saturday, July 10th, 5pm-8:30pm
at Cakewalk Artists’ Co-op:
• Saltwater Ceramics art show
• Silent art auction for The Seabird Sanctuary
• Pottery demonstrations
• A Seabird Sanctuary presentation
• Delicious tropical tiki punch & expressive
hula hoop dance entertainment
Open to the public!

Cakewalk Artists’ Co-op
1114 Central Ave. N
St. Petersburg, FL 33709

During the art show, a silent auction will be held for The Seabird Sanctuary.

seabird sanctuary

I frequently visit the Seabird Sanctuary and know how desperate they are for supplies these days. Since I have lived in Florida and am very familiar in what they do to help our feathered coastal friends, I hope you can help as well. Here is a bit about them and their current needs:

“As the Sanctuary moves into the millennium, it is growing and evolving in order to meet new challenges. Educating the public about wildlife and the environment continues to be a high priority for Heath (the one who started the non-profit organization). While he works and cares for the sick and injured, Ralph Heath is ever working and dreaming of a better world. The birdman and others like him are our only hope for the future of this planet.”

Listed below is their “wish list” anything you can give is appreciated:

Please take a moment to read the list below and please donate! Thank you.

1.    Financial Donations  (Very much needed during this difficult time. ) 
2.    Power Snake
3.    Laundry Detergent – Any type
4.    Liquid Dish Soap
5.    Heating Pads without auto shut-off
6.    Batteries, AAA & AA
7.    Bath towels and hand towels for Baby bird season
8.    Liquid Bleach
9.    Stamps – 41 and 63 cents
10.    I.V.  Infusion Pump ($500) (Please call)
11.   Power Tools (Call for details)
12.   HD Garden Hoses/Small Garden Rakes
13.   Heavy Duty Rain Ponchos
14.   Stainless Steel Scrubbing Pads
15.   Appliances, i.e. washer, dryer, refrigerator
16.   PT Lumber (2″ x 4″, 4″ x 4″, and 1″ x 6″)
17.   Plastic Sky Kennels – Medium  to Extra Large
18.   Call for details – Nat’L Wildlife Rehab. Assoc. books:
NWRA Wildlife Under Microscope ($48.00)
NWRA Topics in Wildlife Medicine
NWRA Vol 12
19.   Vehicles of all kinds, boats, trailers & marine equipment for resale
20.   Homeopathy Software Upgrade ($500). (Call for details)
21.   Volunteers
22.   (2) New/Used Hand Trucks (dollies)
23.   Generator to power our freezer & hospital (Please call)
24.   Wheel Barrels
25.   Deck Brushes
26.   Raptor Gloves $58.00 ( Please call )
27.   Gift Cards: Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Office Depot Staples, etc **
28.   Kiddy pools (Without holes)
29.   Mulch – red or tan for our gardens
30.   Newspapers to line our hospital cages *
31.   Office Supplies: white out, pens, scotch tape, packing tape, etc.
32.   Filing Cabinet: Three or four drawer
33.   GAS CARDS for rescuers
34.  Kiddy pools – no cracks please
35.  Cat litter pans
36.  Ground sprinklers (non-osculating)

Charlie Parker is known for making large post

Charlie Parker is known for creating and teaching beautiful function pottery and large pots. He works out of  his St Petersburg studio, located at St Pete Clay Company. We are thrilled to have him join Saltwater Ceramics.

“I derive the greatest pleasure in transforming the earth’s raw material into functional works of art that enhance everyday life.   While my techniques are derived from traditions and techniques of the past, I am continually influenced by nature.  The forms, textures and colors I see and feel become a part of the clay. ”

Teaching Experience:

• 1996-Present Instructor, Private Lessons, St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL
• 1996-2005 Teacher, Clay For Everyone, The Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL
• 2004 Instructor, Charlie’s Got Big Bowls Workshop, Carla’s Clay, Sarasota, FL
• 2004 Instructor, Charlie’s Got Big Bowls Workshop, St. Petersburg Clay Company, St. Petersburg, FL
• 2005 Instructor, Hands On Workshop, Carla’s Clay, Sarasota, FL
• 2005 Instructor, Hands On Workshop, Longboat Key Art Center, Long Boat Key, FL
• 2006 Instructor, Charlie’s New Wave, Carla’s Clay, Sarasota, FL
• 2008  Instructor, Workshop, Carla’s Clay, Sarasota, Fl

These pieces were created specifically for the spring art show, Camille Leone

I have been super busy in my studio creating new work for the upcoming Camille Leone show presented by Square One taking place on Saturday, April 17th at the Ritz in Ybor.

Let me tell you, Square One puts on more than just an mixed media art show, it’s an EVENT…yes in capitals. With over 80 local artist showing their work, a fashion show by Disco Dolls and Lauren Kroeger along with another dance performance by Bella Danza this will be a party for sure! Oh and the other best part is that is it free to the public (2$ donations accepted).

Notice the texture on the pot.

Each show put on by Square One is themed, which makes it even more fun to be envolved with. I plan on creating a mask since this theme is based on CAMILLE LEONE, the name of an imaginary woman who will come to life through the artistic expressions of participating artists and performers.  It is a play on the word “chameleon” since this woman will have various identities. And to add to the theme the colors are red, gold & green, a nod to the Culture Club song “Karma Chameleon.” (I’m a BIG fan of Culture Club)

I hope to see everyone there. I will be staying all night from 7 – midnight, close to my space in hopes to meet new people and answer any questions about my new work.

These photos are a sneak peak at my work created just for this show..before they are glazed. You like?

Laura Irmis at Cakewalk

March Reception at Cakewalk Artists’ Co-op

Don’t you ever want to be part of something? To feel pride in your life? To give back , help or support something bigger than you? I do.

Time is my biggest obstacle these days. With my baby boy walking and requiring most of my attention it is a challenge to continue to create my work as much as I would like to, but I’m getting use to it. Located in downtown St. Pete are several beautiful galleries but Cakewalk is more than a art gallery. They are managed by Creative Clay a wonderful art center with a wonderful mission: Creative Clay’s mission is to make the arts accessible for every interested member of the Tampa Bay community regardless of age, gender, ability and/or race. Since 1995, Creative Clay has been providing local artists with developmental, physical and/or emotional disabilities an opportunity to pursue their passion for art making. Our arts programs consist of studio and community based activities for exploring unique personal realities in an inventive, professional environment.

I was already familiar with Creative Clay since I spend time volunteering there in 2005, so I was delighted to join Calkwalk Artists’ Co-op and be part of something great.

Saturday was the first gallery walk I was involved with and it was packed!