Snow Day Plan

IF we do not have school of Friday December 19th you can pick up your pots Monday December 22nd from 10 to 11am in the Academy Studio.

Story of Stuff

This is the video we viewed today.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

I borrowed this from Mrs. Fredregill's blog post.

"As many of you go about your holiday shopping, I just thought I'd take this opportunity to encourage you to reflect on how we as US consumers are part of a greater, global economy. This video about where stuff comes from, how it's processed and where it ends up illustrates just how far reaching the consequences of purchasing lots of "stuff" can be for others and ourselves. Our consumerism feeds into a lot of the problems facing developing countries in central and south america such as child labor, toxic pollution, mass migration from rural communities that can no longer sustain themselves due to loss of resources to huge cities to find any available work to ensure survival, etc. Many kids your age and younger are working 12 or more hours a day in factories making products for developed nations like ours. This video is about 20 minutes long so make sure you have enough time to view in full. (Here's the link in case you wish to view it in a larger format (recommended!) http://www.storyofstuff.com/ ) I think you'll find it an interesting and worthwhile viewing. It is my hope that you'll approach your holiday shopping with more international-mindedness and with a greater sense of your global responsibility. Perhaps this season nature your creative side instead of your consumer side and make your own holiday gifts. At the very least, use your purchasing power with an increased awareness of the individuals, communities, environments and economies around the world that might have been impacted in the making of whatver "stuff" you buy. " ~Mrs. Fredregill

Pennies for Peace

Please take this in and decide if you have have some pennies to spare. There is a collection container in our studio.

George E. Ohr Mad Potter of Biloxi

Create a page about the Mad Potter in your sketchbook and receive either 10, 20 or 30 above and beyond points.

Mike Murphy, handbuilder

I am loving this artist work! Take a look.

Korean Onggi Potter PART TWO

Korean Onggi Potter PART ONE

Holy Huge!

Jun Kaneko

Mr. Kaneko is an amazing ceramic artist. Check out this video! Can you imagine slipping and scoring those pieces? FYI Jun Kaneko's studio in only two hours from us in Omaha, NE! He is a super star in the art world. When learning about him in art school and being that I am from Omaha I tried to stalk him when returning to Omaha for winter break. I just wanted to see such a famous ceramic artist in the flesh! Well come to find out he was out of the country so I never saw him though I have seen his work and it is simply wonderful.

This potter throws much different then me. I really like the beauty of the camera shots and I will not lie...I enjoy her music!!!

Are you ready to trim!?!?!?

Bowl PART THREE

Kickwheels

Can you imagine throwing on this?

This is a home-made kick wheel. Nicely done!

This is a manufactured kick wheel.

Bowl PART TWO

Great Bowl Demo PART ONE

This is a very descriptive video. It is a must see!!!

Ceramics in the Yahoo!

This is a cool place I just found. There are endless ceramic artists to browse! I will add it to our "links".

316 Art is having their Annual Open House Friday November 7th and YOU ARE INVITED!!! This is a super cool event! Did you know there are working artist studios blocks from Central Academy? 316 Art @ 316 SW 5th Street, houses about 30 artist studios ranging from cartoonist, furniture makers, jewelers, potters, painters, you name it!!! Feel free to extend this invitation to your family and friends. You can earn extra credit points if you...

• attend the event


• paste the event postcard in your sketchbook


• write a reflection in your sketchbook

Iowa's Potters and Potteries, 1830 to 1930

(DES MOINES) – A major exhibition of more than 300 pieces of Iowa stoneware spanning the period 1830-1930 opens Saturday at the State Historical Museum. “Made from Mud: Iowa’s Potters and Potteries, 1830-1930” will be on display through April 12, 2009. The State Historical Museum is at 600 E. Locust Street in Des Moines’ Historic East Village. Hours are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and Noon-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public. “Unlike the wares of the eastern United States that are well-researched, the ceramics of Iowa have been largely ignored by historians of the decorative arts,” State Historical Museum Chief Curator Michael Smith said. “This exhibition is designed to bring greater attention to the history of Iowa potters and potteries.” During the 19th century, the discovery of superior clay deposits in conjunction with the state’s rich coal seams gave birth to a thriving ceramics industry, especially in Boone, Mahaska, Muscatine, Polk, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren and Webster counties. The presence of potters in Iowa can be documented as early as 1836. Records indicate more than 300 individuals identified by name were actively engaged in the production of Iowa ceramics. “Without a doubt, more have yet to be identified,” Smith said. “The marks of about 80 potters have been located on pieces for inclusion in the exhibition, with the earliest of these dating from around 1836.” Compared to the highly decorated stoneware of the eastern United States, Iowa’s stoneware is plain and utilitarian, occasionally bearing the mark of the maker impressed or transfer-printed on the body. By the 1850s, more durable high-fired salt-glazed stoneware was being produced, constituting the bulk of the exhibit. Lead-glazed earthenware, characterized by their clay bodies and firing techniques, was produced in Iowa in small quantities. Although machine techniques were increasingly adopted beginning around 1870, the exhibition concentrates on wheel thrown jugs, jars, pans and churns produced in a variety of sizes for storing, preserving and preparing food.

Building Boxes

Check out this article from Ceramic Art Daily about boxes!

So new...

This is what 14 hours in the studio looks like in pots (including the cups in the image below). These are so new they have not been fired yet. This is a new design and series for me. I flirted with the lip of the vase by allowing elements to go beyond. Each of these pots were thrown on the wheel then cut in half and altered. I takes me about an hour to create each one. I have 16 completed.
These are my new cups. I used to make cups all the time but have not for the last few years. It felt good to make them again. I love making cups. I love the idea of someone holding it in their hands, the intimacy of them placing it on their lips and as a tool to nourish the body. I could go on and on about the beauty of a hand made cup!

A possible display for my upcoming Open House. I decided that I want to start painting again. It is an itch that over comes me at least once a year. I am going to be developing ideas in my sketchbook. My goal is to get a painting studio set up in the basement of my home and start collecting materials. I think it was Jill that asked me what the "Interstate 75" meant. It started out as a found image that I colleagued on this suitcase which inspired me to include in on one of my bowls, which is currently on show in the Academy Studio.

My Studio

This is the building my studio is in. Once a year we open our studios to the public. The inside scoop is... this year's Open House will be Friday, November 7th. SAVE THIS DATE! This is a great opportunity for you to see the amazing artists working downtown! There are actually many artists and bands whose studios are downtown, mostly in old factory buildings. I love working in my studio with the windows open and hearing the band who rehearses across the alley playing!

Welcome Academy Potters!

Are you hungry to learn more about clay? Your wish is my command. Together we will travel beyond the Academy Studio walls into the wonderful world of clay!