Glazes for Dummies

I fully intended to write a blog post yesterday, but I just never made it to the computer. It was a really good weekend, though. I got to hang out with my friend Erin (of eef-etc), drinking wine and eating pizza, and not really watching stuff on Netflix because we were too busy yapping. It was our intention to get together to geek out over marathon episodes of Doctor Who and some other UK tv shows, but we just never got past talking, which was fine. Drinks and conversation with Erin are always a good way to spend an evening. Plus, we got to discuss my new website that she's working on for me, which I'm super excited about!

I've been thinking for ages that I needed a real website for my work, to serve as a portfolio, business landing page, and sort of portal to all my social media and photos scattered across the web. I considered building one myself, but then I remembered my last foray into webpage design... sometime back in the 90's when people still had Geocities pages. (!!!) Page after page of sparkly animated gifs, crappy midi music, anime drawings, and bad poetry! I shudder at the memories. I never did learn more HTML than how to make text bold and italic (and now there's buttons for those things), and I knew if I waited until I had time to teach myself how to put a simple blogger or wordpress page together, it would just never happen. Good thing Erin does these things for a living! I love having talented friends:) So as soon as I write the copy for the site, and update my resume, I should have a real website!

I also managed to study up on glazing a bit more, reading the appendices and skimming back over the rest of Mastering Cone 6 Glazes again. Once I started playing with the Glaze Master software, it all finally started to click. The Digitalfire Material database was incredibly helpful for understanding all of the materials I was using, and I wish I'd remembered it sooner. I realized that my brain has just gotten very lazy, and looking at long lists of numbers and chemical formulas just wasn't making sense to me without a lot of effort. Being able to look up materials and have their chemical makeup broken down for me in plain English really helped. (I always joke that I'm an artist - I don't do math!) I tell my students that everything worth doing takes hard work, but apparently I'm a huge hypocrite. Glaze chemistry doesn't come easily to me, and I was getting frustrated because I was actually having to do work and research to understand what I was doing, instead of finding some easy fix for our unstable studio glazes.

I think I'm on the right track now, and I've got a new set of test tiles sitting on the shelf, ready for tonight's glaze firing. I'll post pics of the results, and then on to more testing! If I learn anything useful from all this, I'll be sure to share it with you. So stay tuned, maybe there'll be some new fancy glaze recipes to share.

Owl rattle

Hiya:)

The Science of Story

Got my sketchbook in the mail yesterday for the new Sketchbook Project: Limited Edition. My theme is "The science of story". For once, I decided to get crackin' on this right away, rather than procrastinate. 

I've been thinking about how to interpret this theme. The themes always hang me up a bit. I decided to start a pinterest board for sciency-type inspiration: vintage pop science magazine covers, scientific illustrations, medieval diagrams of plants and animals, etc. My idea so far is to think about story writing and telling as if there were a scientific method to it. Chemical elements to combine into a story reaction. Specimens of story archetypes to document. What would the scientific formula of creating a story look like, if there were such a thing?

I was just reading a note on Facebook about how too many people are trying to pass off "good enough" or "satisfactory" art these days to make a living, rather than really going for broke and making the best art they possibly can (which, according to some survey data he examined, is actually more lucrative and efficient). I don't know if I agree with that 100% (not sure whether artists today are any lazier than they've ever been; maybe we're all just more aware of each other), but I do think I personally settle a lot in my own work, rushing to finish before my idea is completely fleshed out where I want it. Seems like I'm always rushing last minute to fulfill a deadline, or to get my stuff into the next kiln firing, and I'll sacrifice some elements I wanted just to have a finished piece. I think maybe it's time to spend more time on fewer, better pieces, rather than making lots of little, less than satisfactory pieces.

Each one of my sketchbooks so far have been unfinished, and far less than I originally envisioned. I hope I can push this one closer to excellence. Just for personal pride. It would be nice to have a finished sketchbook that I actually felt proud enough of to put in my portfolio.

We'll see how it goes. I hope I'm not all talk this time around!

Good Morning

Last night I told myself I was going to start my day off today with a sketchbook and a cup of coffee. No computer, no distractions, just sketching some ideas out in peace and quiet.

I should know better than to make plans.

I've spend the last hour scrubbing every known surface in the kitchen because our male cat, Andre, decided to go on a spraying spree. He even left a puddle on the floor, which Maddy joyfully crawled over to and started sliding her hand around in.

I am sooooooo angry and grossed out right now. I couldn't get Maddy to the sink fast enough. I'm sure she wondered what all the fuss was about. I've got a headache from the smell of ammonia, and I'm going around the whole kitchen sniff testing everything to make sure I got it all.

So much for my peaceful morning.

I am never, EVER having more than 2 cats at one time ever again.

Ugh.

Paper Bag Princess

I was inspired by a post on Rae Dunn's blog, in which she writes about some pieces of hers that turned out completely different than what she expected, but their "uglyness" became beautiful to her the more she looked, and reminded her that sometimes having certain expectations for clay can leave you disappointed, until you let them go.

I went into the studio after reading that post, determined to try something different and let the clay speak to me, without expectations of a certain outcome. I expected uglyness, and possibly something that might fall apart or collapse. What I got was this lovely girl. I call her my Paper Bag Princess, and I just painted her yesterday. As I was making her, I cut out the crown shape in a nod to Rae, who uses the image a lot in her work.

I'm definitely getting a taste for building with soft slabs. I made another one the next day, a sort of a sack shaped Queen bottle figure. It feels totally different from my struggle for perfection on the wheel, and it's very freeing.

The 11 Meme

I don't normally do these kinds of things, but my friend Erin over at Eef-etc tagged me, and she's pretty awesome, and also I like her questions.


Here are the rules.

1. You must post these rules.
2. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
4. You have to choose 11 people to tag and link them on the post.
5. No tag backs and you legitimately have to tag 11 people. (I'm cheating - I don't want to tag anyone!)

11 things about me:

1. I am obsessed with Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics. Enough so that I have read both The Sandman Companion, and the Sandman Papers, just to learn additional facts and insight into the comic. I'm also a Gaiman fan, so I rabidly devour every single thing he puts out.
2. When I was an elementary school, I wanted to grow up to be a writer. My first poem was about cats, and it was published in the school paper.
3. I used to love video and computer games, but I never have time for them anymore. I live vicariously through my husband, and still read online articles about all the nifty indie games that people are coming out with these days. I believe video games can be art, just like anything else, especially when the visuals and the story are interesting and compelling.
4. I used to be a goth kid. I would read anything having to do with vampires. Yes, I've read all of Anne Rice's vampire books, and Poppy Z. Brite too. I've since grown out of this phase, and I hate Twilight with a passion, FYI.
5. I adore sci-fi and fantasy - literature, movies, comics, anything. I'm picky, but I think these genres have such brilliant potential to delight and inspire, and be absolutely brilliant.
6. I love children's books, and movies. Having a kid just gives me an excuse to spend more time enjoying them.
7. Our household collectively has 7 cats, although only two of them are mine. 
8. I am in Indianapolis because of Hurricane Katrina. Unlike many people affected, my family and home were unharmed, and my stay in Indy was supposed to be temporary. It just happened to be the big change I needed to make me get off my butt and get into a real art school. I'm incredibly lucky to be where I am today.
9. I have worked as a vet tech, a video store manager, an ice cream server, a video arcade monitor, a consignment shop clerk, a "small animal specialist" (cleaning animal cages), a sculpture shop monitor, and a 1-hr photo tech before teaching at BGCW. I've had a lot of jobs!
10. I didn't get my license until I was 18, and I didn't have a car until I was 21. Biking was my main form of transportation for most of my young life.
11. Nich and I really want to move to another country, but we have difficulty agreeing on where we want to live, and we have no idea how we'd go about doing this. We like the idea of Finland, but I can't deal with months of no sun. 

11 Questions to Answer

1. If you won the lottery, what would you do? I'd be really boring and hire an accountant and a financial adviser first. Then I'd build a modest house on a few acres with a nice clay studio, hire an intern, and keep working. I'd set some money aside for travel, and to go to clay residencies, and I'd set aside some money for Maddy's college/business/travel/being-an-adult-is-hard fund.
2. Would you rather be a vampire, or werewolf? Why? I'd rather be a vampire, so long as they don't sparkle. They've just got ages old sex appeal, and they're immortal. Can't beat that. Besides, I have no desire to be a hairy dog. I'm a cat person.
3. Would you rather be AMAZINGLY smart, or AMAZINGLY beautiful? Why? (be honest!) Honestly? I'd rather be brilliantly smart. I love learning, and reading, and problem solving. Being beautiful would be great, but I'd rather get recognition for what I do than what I look like.
4. What is one skill you wish you had? Why? I wish I could play an instrument! I just love music, and I've always secretly wanted to be a rock star;)
5. What is something you are proud of yourself for? Finishing college! It sounds kind of simple, but I never really thought I'd get it together enough to graduate, let alone from a real art school. I've always been a bit of a slacker and an underachiever.
6. What is the most embarrassing thing to happen to you (that you’re willing to share)? I'm sure there are things I could share, but I'm really having trouble thinking of any at the moment. I can't remember the last time I felt horribly embarrassed.
7. If you could live anywhere, where would you live? I've recently seen pictures of Prague on Pink Cheek Studio's blog (really inspiring blog post for artists and crafters, btw), and I'm in love. But honestly, just about anywhere in Europe would be fantastic, or Japan. Preferably someplace with natural beauty, and a history of pottery making.
8. Who is one of your favorite people? Why? My friend Rachel Bleil, because she is one of the most friendly, energetic, loving people I've ever met. She's an incredibly talented ceramic artist who has had a huge influence on me, and she just makes you feel good about yourself. She encouraged me to start submitting my work to national shows, and she also gives the best hugs!
9. Telepathy or telekinesis? Why? My first thought is to say telepathy, but I think I'd spiral into a horrible depression if I knew what other people were thinking all the time. Telekinesis could be cool, but I'm not creative enough to think of what I'd do with it if I had it, besides dangling cat toys in the air with my mind to freak out the cats.
10. If you had to live in a fantasy world from a TV show or book, what world would it be? Why? Oh man, I feel like such a dork... but probably Harry Potter. There are just too many awesome things in that world. Hopefully I wouldn't be a muggle.
11. What is your dream job? Why? To make a living off my work! I want a rural pottery studio somewhere in Europe or on the east coast, and to be popular enough to sell my work and survive. I'd love to continue teaching clay as well.

I'm not tagging anyone, because I can't think of 11 other bloggers that I know very well, and that also read this blog. (I'm always surprised that anyone does!) But here are 11 questions for ya, in case you wanna join the party.

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

2. Do you have a secret hidden talent that no one knows about?

3. Do you do anything crafty or creative? If so, what do you do, and why do you like to do it?

4. Do you like to read, and if so, what is your favorite book?

5. Star Trek or Star Wars?

6. Do you own a handmade mug? If so, do you use it?

7. Imagine you were the first to discover a new land, either here on Earth or somewhere in the Universe. What would it be like?

8. If someone offered you a million dollar book deal to write a book on any subject of your choosing, what would you write about?

9. What is your favorite animal? Why?

10. Do you have a favorite artist or crafter? If so, who is it, and why?

11. What is the most exciting thing you've ever done?

If you put this on your blog, send me a link so I can read your answers!

Week 1: Pinch pots

Last night was the first class of the new session at Beech Grove Clay Works. I had made the decision to alternate week by week between handbuilt and wheel thrown lessons, so I decided to start the session off with pinch pots. 

Pinch pot decorating. via Pinchpots blog

Pinch pots are such a deceptively simple technique, but the possibilities for what you can make with them are endless. (For you non-potters - a pinch pot is a pottery technique where you take a ball of clay and shape it into a simple bowl or cup shape with your thumb and fingers by pinching). I showed my students a brief slideshow of various things made from pinch pots, from textured rattles to coffee mugs, to give them an idea of the variety of things it's possible to make. Then they rolled out four 1lb balls of clay, and I showed them how to make a footed bowl, a handled mug, and large and small pinch pot birds. I turned my large bird into a rattle as well, since that seems to be an object that's really caught my attention lately. I think it was gratifying for them to have four completed objects by the end of class time. I really want to make more rattle sculptures! They're really stuck in my brain right now.

Father and son bird making team.

Little bowls

Cafe mugs, one turned into a creamer pitcher.

My bird rattle, and a bowl and mug with feet.

Not only did I have a really fun first class, but I also got to go out to lunch with my friend Kat and her boyfriend Mike yesterday, so I could give her the pink robo ninja jar that she bought. We went to Hotcake Emporium and had Black Forest pancakes. That has got to be the most decadent breakfast I've ever eaten in my life, but man was it delish!

Cherries, chocolate, and chocolate chips. I don't even know what the sweet white stuff was.  It was ridiculous, that's what.

I was tempted to order the Crepes Suzette, because my last name is french, and it's a damn shame that I've never even tried a crepe in my life. Besides, Cointreau sauce sounds both delicious and fancy, and I love things with booze in them. But when Kat ordered the Black Forest pancakes, my brain just exploded, and I got that instead.

Weird wall mural - there's an egg for a sun, but they're fishing for eggs?  Why is the chef pulling fishing nets with a redneck? Weird stuff.

So that has absolutely nothing to do with pottery. It was just delicious, and if you are in Indiana or you come to visit, you should go to the Hotcake Emporium. It's right there in the name. Emporium. They have everything, even waffles and french toast (though they called it Freedom toast, and we mock them openly for that.)

I forgot to bring Kat's robo ninja. We both decided that just gave us an excuse to meet up again for more pancakes.