Summer of Workshops- Randy Brodnax and Don Ellis

My last workshop of the summer with Randy and Don was amazing. The most memorable experience over the course of the week was a compliment I was given by Randy. I was sitting at my wheel, working on a vessel form that Don had taught the class earlier that day. Randy comes up and sits next to me and gives me a tip or two for my piece and then he said, " If you don't become a great artist and keep going with your work, I am personally going to come back here and kick your butt." From an artist who's work I have seen across the US, I was quite flattered and moved. From that point on, I have been thinking about clay and art every minute of everyday, working towards my goals.

 One of my finished pieces. (Above)

These are both Randy and Don's pieces that they either brought or made during the workshop. Beautiful!

My take on Randy's fish sculpture.

Two of my finished pieces from the workshop, both heading to auction soon.

Summer of workshops- Taiwanese Exchange Workshop

My school had an amazing group of students come from Taiwan to do a summer ceramic workshop with us. Ten students and two of their professors spent three weeks with my professor, Rick, a classmate and myself. It was loads of fun and very interesting to see creative works of the same medium, from across the world. Anyways, here are a few pictures of our adventures and whatnot.

 We went to the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, and San Francisco over the course of their trip. We saw a lot of art and had tons of fun!

Some of the girls and I went to Macy's in Union Square, San Francisco and we had to go try on some crazy shoes.

Summer of Workshops- Doug Browe

This last summer I signed up for four different workshops. Each one was amazing in it's own way and really helped me further my skills.  Here are the first set of pictures from my week long workshop with Doug Browe. He is a ceramic artist from Medicino, CA. Very talented and one of the artists who I truly admire right now.

 Doug introduced me to red earthenware clay. I love working with it, so smooth. (Left)
Also, he taught me how to dry center a large bunch of clay, I use his technique now, every time I make a large piece. (Right)

 A few of my pieces made during the workshop, still greenware. (Left and Right)
Doug adding a large coil to his already huge pot.

 

 My class, above. It was only the five of us, two techies and Doug. Perfect size.
During the workshop, I could spread out so I was working on three wheels at once. Unheard of during the school year. (Left)
My first big piece, (right) I was so excited and it beat the hight of Doug's big piece (below) by two inches! lol

My big piece completed. (greenware)

Odds and Ends

 Just a few pictures I came across, going through my files. I am also big into henna so here are a few photos of the designs I create.

These are two flute type things that I made for my dad, who is big into musical instruments. (Right)
I also found one more nude drawing that I have been playing around with for a while. I love having a pregnant model, something about seeing and recording that intimate moment in life that excites me. (Below)