Wordless Wednesday

After Glow

I'm still basking in the whole experience of NM. My trip was so excellent. More to share than I have time for. One day in Taos was too little time to see all I wanted to; and then I stumbled on some great finds by accident.

Ceramics is a big draw for me, so when I passed Taos Clay I had to go back. A working studio/gallery making it possible to see the process. And here are the results.

You asked for it!

Because some of you have asked to see masks here are a few. The first two are after the bisque firing.

These three are after glaze firing but before embellishment. Actually the masks don't photograph well because of the shiny surface of the glaze. Embellishment is the last step. Sometimes I know as soon as I place the clay slab on the form how I will glaze and embellish it, and sometimes the mask evolves in stages of inspiration. Many ideas come to me just as I wake in the morning. These three masks are done now and packed away in boxes waiting for their debut.

Working at Art

As I entered the art building I was greeted with a stack of boxes each containing 25lbs of clay: newly arrived order. The ceramics lab was busy even though the crowds of students are gone for the summer. David Elder was getting ready to use the extruder to make some handles for vessels that he's completing to replenish stock at a gallery that represents him. Brent Shoulders was at the potters wheel throwing one bowl after another. He's attacking a huge project mapped out on the white board of 100's of pieces ( probably a show coming up). And student Josh Hogge was painting a clown with full red lips and a ruffle at his neck.
Things in the art building are always changing: new ideas, new work. And my own work? I have done 7 more masks so far; they are waiting for bisc firing. I need to go to Santa Fe to get more of the clay I like for hand building.

Sign Sunday

This sign is in the ceramics lab a OPSU. Alex & Mandy are graduates who have gone on to advanced degrees and establishing a working studio & gallery in Amarillo. They were on campus to inspire art students and did some great demos.

There were even a group of area fifth & sixth graders who showed up for the raku demo on Thurs afternoon. Follow the steps below.

This is the raku kiln as it is opened. The glowing pots have reached 1800 degrees and are ready for the next step.

The hot vessels are sprayed to produce a chemical reaction before they are put in the trash cans full of newspaper and left to smoke (see foreground of above pic).

Here is Alex holding a finished pot.

Art Jubilee

OPSU was all abuzz with activity this week as the Art Jubilee took over the campus. High School students from a three state area (500 plus) arrived to be exposed to art demonstrated by a great faculty and guest artists. Workshops started on Tuesday with Carol Beesley from OU Norman showing students how to use oil sticks. Wednesday Alex & Mandy Gregory, ceramic artists from Amarillo, demonstrated: slab construction, wheel throwing and Raku firing.

There was art judging including the sidewalk chalk art (pics from last year's Jubilee) with prizes and certificates awarded. These kids have a rare opportunity to be exposed to a small campus with a talented and enthusiastic faculty. I hope they went home inspired.

Ceramics

I was in the ceramics lab yesterday trying to accomplish some serious glazing. I have about 12 masks yet to glaze.

Here is Luz Angela Crawford, a ceramic artist who gets great results without traditional glazing. She turns out wonderful decorative pieces using stains and acrylics for coloring. In her studio/gallery you can see her large sized pots and wall hangings that are highlighted with great texture; texture you want to touch. Luz is one of those fortunate artists to have her studio at Sunset Center in Amarillo, TX. The center will be host a Friday night art walk this Friday, April 1, if you're in town. All the studios will be open and there is so much energy as you stroll with the crowd. Otherwise you can see Luz's art at her web site: http://www.luzangelacrawford.com/.

Ceramics lab

Today I spent a couple hours in the ceramics lab. OPSU is on spring break so there were only a couple of us up there working. I've counted 17 masks and my goal was 20; and it would be easy to make three more (plenty of ideas in my head). But then the real challenge is the glazing. Picking color combinations from what is available in the lab; I have mixed my own but that takes time. Visualizing how they will turn out, and there are always surprises. A mask that takes an hour to make will take an hour and one half to glaze and then more time to embellish. I have hours of work ahead of me.

Wordless Wednesday

Ceramics

I'm back in the ceramics lab for spring semester at OPSU. It's very exciting to know that my creative juices have a place to spill out onto, and I'm expecting productive lab time. I have some new ideas for designing more masks and using the available glazes and maybe trying acrylic and WC to add color as well.

Here are some of what I produced last semester. My facebook avatar is now one of my masks; check it out!

Thankful

I assume this pic was taken by OPSU grad Cobos Leon.

This is Katy; she is glazing her pot in the ceramics lab.

Thinking today about how thankful I am for Oklahoma Panhandle State University; that's OPSU. I always enjoy my time there; a time of creativity that replaces all other thoughts and cares. OPSU has just celebrated it's 100th birthday. But it didn't start out as OPSU; it has always been part of the OK state university system but only under several different names.

Right now I once again have access to the ceramics department, and continue on my series of masks. I need to get some pics of masks on this blog.

Sweet

Ceramics class at OPSU. Creativity and production abound.

Here is Hannah Sweet with a before and after of a hand built vase.

Great weed pot. I can just picture the cat tails in it.

Mitch Lyons

Ceramic artist Mitch Lyons is coming to Oklahoma City Oct 26-29. He'll be teaching "clay printing". Oh my, would I love to go! But it seems silly to cut my ceramics class and drive 300 miles one way.

I have just watched his DVD, Handbuilding with Mitch Lyons in which he demonstrates his famous "Broomstick" method. Very inspiring; really triggers the creative juices. I'm wondering how I can adapt his methods for my masks. He also demonstrates some "new" tools like a ping pong paddle; I must keep my eye out for one when I make my next thrift store visit.

Check out his web site: www.mitchlyons.com for examples of his work and teaching schedule.

Sign Sunday

Well, surprise, surprise! Two of my ceramic masks sold. Good news/bad news; I had committed to put them in another show. I need to make more. Actually the thought crossed my mind to challenge myself to make one a day for a month. Something to think about.