FROM SKETCH TO FINAL OUTCOME

Earlier, I blogged about a sketch that intrigued me, but I had my doubts about pulling it off because of the complexity. It was a long process wherein I adapted some new skills,but it finally came to life. Today I had a photo taken and I'm very pleased with this new piece. It's exactly what I was thinking of when I did the sketches.

GOOD COMPANY

I am enjoying a new relationship with the Contemporary Fine Art Gallery in La Jolla. My work is side-by-side with some wonderful painters. The energies seem complimentary. I find myself in very good company.

MY SKETCHBOOK

I keep a sketchbook...sometimes more than one (so I always have one with me) I sketch out ideas that are so fleeting that I don't think much about them, but often they will flower into my next sculpture. (and sometimes it's the mental equivalent of taking out the garbage)
Sometimes I don't have any idea about how to make it happen in clay, but if the idea is important to me the sketch will recur again and again until I figure it out.
This sketch is a long ways outside what I would normally attempt, but it feels important so I will try.

LOOKING BACK

Like most of us in clay, my first studio was the classroom. (Thank you Laney College) When I finally got my very own kiln. (a big Scutt) I went wild for a time, making works that would fill up the firing space. Never mind that I didn't yet have the craft aspect under my control. I made some good-looking faulty pieces. They remain, my "special children" who can't go out into the world for fear of falling apart.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SLOW BISQUE

I can't emphasize enough the value of a slow bisque..especially for me because I use paperclay and slam things together in unorthodox ways. Alas, this wasn't fired by me, but I put her back together.
I can do that because it's paperclay) and I am crossing my fingers that she makes the final firing OK.

SUMMER OF SHOWS

I has been a busy summer. I had two openings in the past week. Coastal Eddy in Laguna Beach was the first on Aug 3 and Last night was at the Main Street Gallery in Pomona. Unofficially, I was also part of a opening at Bistango (a very upscale restaurant in Irvine)  Suddenly, I am all over LA like suntan lotion.

HEALDSBURG CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Last night the Clay and Glass show opened in Healdsburg. Lots of variety and some wonderful work all round. I delivered my pieces on Monday. After a bit of drama with my vehicle, I was late getting there, but they were very gracious and helpful. Did I mention the heat??? You could fry eggs on the sidewalk.
Since that day I have been resting and doing little day trips.  I went up to Mendocino to visit (my ) gallery (William Zimmer) and to take in the breathlessly beautiful Mendocino coast. I'm reminded how much I love Northern California.