Kiln vs. Furnace

I lost.  Surely the Olympic Oval Kiln Model No. 2527 with max. 2300 degrees firing capacity and programmable computer could just as efficiently heat our modest home as our new Ducane Furnace.  The Federal Tax Credit and the rebate from NYSEG save us a lot of money but put my plans on hold a while longer.

My daughter also reminded me we NEED to go to Florida for Auntie's wedding in April before I may buy a kiln.

The upside is that the new duct work in the basement will provide more head clearance when and if I do begin working down there.

New Gallery

Handwork Gallery in Ithaca, New York is an artist owned cooperative of which I have recently been approved for membership.  All high quality handmade goods, pottery, stained glass, knits, jewelry, watercolors, weavings,  wood work and more. Convenient location too, just off the commons on State Street.

I am looking forward to selling lots, meeting the other member artists and getting out of Elmira twice per month.  Actually, my first day in the store I sold two of my own pieces. What a thrill!  Not to mention I'm learning retail and picking up some real job skills.

A Better Way to Wax

Discovered a better way to wax. As I combine more decorating effects I've had to create a wax boundary between hand painted elements and the dipped glaze. The peony flowers on these vases were painted with clay slip and under glaze when the vessel was still green or leather hard. The petals have a dimensional texture that was created by impressing into the wet slab while it was flat. The clay is then rolled into a cylinder and more volume is given to the flower head with gentle pressure from the inside out. The decorative trim at the bottom employs wax to resist areas of glaze.

That reminds me I should try to find a source for Forbes wax. It is different than the wax I use pre-firing. Thinner in consistency and very fluid for brushing on bisqued clay. Currently, there is a half full jug at the arts center.

Second Open Studio Tour

Thanks to all who stopped by on a rainy then sunny Columbus Day weekend for the Elmira Open Studio Tour.  It was my second year on the tour.  And while attendance was lower than last year I did manage to do better in sales. My work is definitely more focused this year and I have been able to meet the needs of my customers better.  It's a nice challenge to bring together function and form as there is always room for improvement. I also enjoyed making pots on my dining room table.  Click here to see the interview on News10 Now.

Many of you asked about where you can find my work outside of my private residence and beyond the studio tour.  In Elmira shop Cappy's a locally owned gift shop on the corner of Main and Clinton Street.  In Corning, The Tea Chest on Market Street is another locally owned business that sells my mugs as well as great loose teas.  And in Ithaca, Handwork Gallery, possibly...I am currently in the jury process for membership.  I will keep you posted on how that goes. 

If all goes well it will only take a few months to adjust to a new level of production.  I have set a goal to begin online sales in February. 

First Day

On September 14, 2009 I put my son on the school bus and spent the whole day in the studio.  We're both exhausted by 3 o'clock but oh so happy.  So Abel isn't actually getting on the bus. We did drop him off the first day of school but in my rush to get to the studio I forgot to take a picture. This will have to make up for my selfish ways. I have to pinch myself sometimes as I roll a slab, stir a glaze, or slice off another hunk of clay. My dream has come true. I'm a working artist!

Well, almost.

I feel exceptionally fortunate to have been able to stay home the past eight years (who's counting?) with my utterly adorable and perfect children. And while I enjoyed witnessing every milestone I had to stay connected to my creativity. My hands stayed relatively dirty as I continued to work on a few figure sculptures then less sculptures and more pots over the years. Cute little pinch pots with pink elephants for snacking on Cheerios. Actually our bunny uses that bowl now, since the kids make their own dishes. My life has taken me far from where I left off modeling hollow clay figures. Even after unpacking 20 sculptures this summer to make room in the basement for a studio. I haven't given much thought to what I will be making next.

For now I would like to claim a space of my own. I am fixated on getting a kiln and then I'll have a long think about what to put in it.

2nd Annual Street Painting Festival

I had a great weekend playing Michelangelo and making "good painting the kind that looks like sculpture." Pictured here with two of my three apprentices, Wesline and Kyra.
Bottega di Michelangelo crafted an 18 foot tall David using homemade pastels and a little marble dust. David's real size is 14 feet. However, he needed the extra length to recreate his true to life presence horizontally.

He's holding up well even after Monday morning traffic. If you're in Elmira, take the Main Street bridge from the North across the Chemung River.