More Potential JAPR Pieces

I had a critique recently, and I was told that maybe my pieces were too formal. I don't necessarily agree, but I have been working a bit differently in these new vessel forms. They are more abstract. Not traditional.

 This is a piece that didn't really wow the class, they said it didn't flow with my idea, maybe I was conveying it wrong. Anyways, I like it, and I might still go with my plan. That is undecided.

Below are a few more vessels that I just finished, not abstract yet, but I am working on it.

So I am working through all the ideas in my head, and trying to get my first final pieces done. Only a month left until my show. Who is panicing? This girl.

JAPR Update

I have been working a many new vessel forms for my upcoming show. I also have been working on my wire sculptures, now in copper wire. (pictures to come). Anyways, here are a few new pictures of what I am working on.

I usually throw my vessels upside down, so this one is about to be flipped so I can finish the rim.

 This is my professor, competing against two of my classmates, throwing a 30 pound platter.

My shelf in the studio, is completely full.

 Me, working on the beginning of another vessel. I have just put the pieces together and now I am working on shape and drying it a bit so it doesn't collapse.

Starting My Junior Art Portfolio Pieces

In order to get my BFA, my college has us put on our own show, both as juniors and as seniors. The junior show is small, 5 to 7 pieces and we get a section of a large hallway in our library. We also have to show our pieces to the entire art department; talk about our work, the theme, form, content, etc..
Anyways, I have been thinking a lot about my theme lately an I have unknowingly been living my theme through my ceramics since I started. I am a psychology minor and I feel a strong connection between my art and the psychology behind it. One reoccurring theme in the psychology I have been studying is the Hero's Journey. It's all about being unhappy in the life you are living at the moment, and taking a "journey" to find your bliss/ passion/ religion/ etc.. Then, making the "journey" back to the 9 to 5 world and be able to live you live with your bliss. It's different for everyone and I feel like I have been experiencing my bliss every time I sit down at my wheel, every time I throw a pot, every time I mold the earth into a vessel that contains me, my life and my hero's journey. The vessel contains me. That is the one sentence I am thinking in my head every day.

My vessels are a physical  manifestation of my journey. Dancing is also a way for me to reach my bliss.
I have been dancing off and on, my whole life, whether it's ballet, jazz, blues, swing, west coast, salsa or tango. When I dance, I am feeling my bliss surge through my body like a lightning bolt.
Likewise, when I work on the wheel, I can feel the energy and my bliss pouring through my hands and to the rest of my body. So I had to join the two.
I have also been working with wire sculptures since high school and I love how it mimics the whirls of the clay in a thrown piece. So these are two wire sculptures, a couple tango dancing, I made for my show. These are just a trial run, the real ones are going to be copper wire with patina, to give them an aged look. This couple is an actual snapshot of two of my friends out on the dance floor, which makes it even more personal for me. Anyways, thats a long rant about my work. Hope you all enjoy. More to come.

Sons of Clay

When I was at the Sonoma galler opening, I was chatting with Doug Browe for a bit and mentioned another gallery opening the next day in Gualala, CA. He was also going to be in that one, called the Sons of Clay. I was sold, so I made the three hour trip the next day to see this amazing show.

Ryan Hurst, Craig Petey, Owen Nelson, Doug Lawrie, Robert Brady, Darren Cockrell, Doug Browe, Jason Dunn, Tom Coleman, Scott Parady, Nick Schwartz, and Rod Guyer.

Doceo Argilla- Ceramics Educators of California

I went to a gallery opening last weekend featuring my two ceramic professors, in Sonoma, CA. Doug Browe, one of my worksop artists, was also featured. It was a great show! Someday it will be my turn.

Sheri Leigh O'Conner's work. My other ceramics professor.

                                                             Doug Browe's piece. (Above)

                                  Rick Parsons, my advanced ceramics professor's work. (Above)