an imagined eden

Before and After

2012-03-08T11:35:00.000-05:00

Here is the bisque fired bird getting more glazes. Remember the camouflaged birds from a previous post. That is how they look before the bisque firing.

And here are a few just out of the kiln. I like the new glazes and I am enjoying the slip trailing process and the combination of the glazes with the slips.

Some of these new birds will probably be in my upcoming show at NC Crafts Gallery in Carrboro, NC.
April 1-30. I am still working on more pieces and will see how the next two firings go before choosing the work to show.

Making Vases

2012-03-02T12:33:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I've made any free standing pieces, here is a start to a group of new vases for the spring!

Don't they look like a group of sentries or chess pieces? Slab built, some are kind of closed forms with openings for stems of flowers, others are open--those remind me of flowers.

All huddled together to be wrapped up for the night. I don't have a plan yet for the glazes and surface, but I am thinking about majolica. I used to work with majolica a long time ago and love the soft feel of the colors and surface.

Camouflaged Birds

2012-02-23T13:00:00.000-05:00

Sort of! New birdies with the first stage of surface work. When I finished working on them I realized how they matched the fabric on the work table right behind me. Note to self: surround yourself with beauty. I'm off to the garden center, it is beautiful today and should get up to 75 degrees today!

The owl and the rabbit...

2012-02-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Doesn't that sound like the beginning of a story?

Well, I've heard that every picture tells a story.

Here is mine.

It is a cold Monday here, I plan to warm up the studio and do some glazing.

Wishing you a warm Monday!

Getting back to work

2012-02-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

The last couple of days have been productive. It feels good to get into some raw clay, make some pieces...wall vases seemed to be on my mind so I started groups of butterfly wall vases, bird vases and little bee vases. Hopefully they will be ready for spring which is just around the corner.

Love Birds II

2012-02-14T11:35:00.001-05:00

From my slide archive, Love Birds, hand built ceramic wall platter, 21 inches diam. circa 2004.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Foxey Loxey

2012-02-13T14:32:00.000-05:00

Woke up thinking about foxes...Here are just a few. To see the whole skulk (that is a group of foxes) check out my first treasury group on Etsy, fun!

Love Birds

2012-02-09T06:30:00.000-05:00

Bali Mynah Love Birds, hand made, slip and glaze painted ceramic wall platter 13" diam. Cathy Kiffney

May I suggest most gently for the sake of these little birds and so many more please, do not support the use feathers as a decorative accessory, I am seeing them more lately. It has always been a fad and because of that many wonderful creatures are experiencing horrible suffering becoming endangered or are already extinct. Another reason for decline is the pet bird trade and loss of habitat. The Bali Mynah is one of the world's most critically endangeredbirds. In fact, it has been hovering immediately above extinction in the wild for several years.
This is a new platter from my slip painted series, Bali Mynah Love Birds, 13" diam.

The only lasting beauty

2012-02-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

is the beauty of the heart. Rumi

Fireplace Surrounds Commissions

2012-02-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've been going through old floppy disks and CD's trying to organize old pictures. It is soooo hard! Some of the old pictures are just horrible. These are a couple commissions from many years ago, I wish I had a better image of it. I took this shot with my first digital camera that was a 1.3 megapixel!

Commissions

2012-01-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

This project was very exciting for me--I was commissioned to create a series of 22 colorful bird platters and the work was placed in each room of the children's hospital. Studies support the idea that representational art depicting nature can have a beneficial effect on patients experiencing stress and anxiety. I just love the idea of each room and each child having its own little birdie. I don't need any studies to confirm this to me, just that the kids are liking them and enjoying them is what is important! This project was for Park Nicollet Health Services, St. Louis Park, MN. The art was handled by Dreblow Fine Art Associates. Mary Dreblow is a joy to work with. Here are just a few...

Hope is the thing with feathers...

2012-01-24T16:02:00.000-05:00

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me. Emily Dickinson

Just listed this little bird on my Etsy site!

Summer Dream

2011-12-31T14:12:00.000-05:00

More from my archive, Summer Dream, triptych, 22x30", circa 2002
Happy New Year!

Have a Warm Winter Solstice and Happy Holidays!

2011-12-21T10:58:00.000-05:00

Birdsong can conquer the gloom of shorter winter days-- in case you don't have any birds singing in your yard here is a link to listen to a audio clip. Happy Holidays!

The Sly Red Fox

2011-12-08T17:25:00.001-05:00

The Sly Red Fox, 9 inches diameter

When I see all the new pieces from this winter and fall I can really tell how the look of my work is changing--less carving and glazing and more surface painting with slips. I'm at a place where I am wondering where it will go...exciting but hard!
Just listed this piece on my Etsy site.

Chicken or the Egg?

2011-12-05T20:36:00.001-05:00


Chicken and Egg Plate, 9" hand made hand painted ceramic wall hanging plate Cathy Kiffney

Fox with Blue Eyes

2011-12-03T11:11:00.001-05:00

White Fox with Blue Eyes, 9" handmade ceramic plate

Quail on Egg

2011-12-02T11:11:00.001-05:00

Quail on Egg, 9 ", hand made, hand painted plate

Joe Rowand's Art Collection Auction

2011-12-01T07:44:00.001-05:00

Someone just sent me a link to this, it is a vessel sculpture from around 1990. Back when I used to show at Somerhill Gallery , Mr. Rowand purchased this piece. Somerhill has closed and he is auctioning off his personal art collection at Leland Little Auction. I need to get out my old slides and put together an album of my work from back then. I wonder what the bidding will be? The auction is November 2, 2011.The auction catalog lists hundreds of artworks, fine furnishings and other goods.

Four Armed Vessel, 23.5 x 19 in. 1990 Cathy Kiffney

Nice to be home

2011-11-28T07:20:00.001-05:00

We had a wonderful week at the beach, long walks, reading, eating, resting--fabulous! It is nice to be home and feel renewed and refreshed and ready to start some new projects. It looks like two or three commissions! It will be fun to document them here on the blog.

Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:27:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all of the friends andfans of my art. Your support and encouragement is very important tome! A big thank-you to everyone who liked or loved a work of mineenough to buy it, live with it, and enjoy it! It is truly a privilegeto be a part of your life. Happy Thanksgiving!

Some of the cloud pieces that found new homes.

2011-11-16T15:02:00.000-05:00

Welcoming Committee

2011-11-09T11:51:00.004-05:00

It was such a beautiful weekend for the Open Studio Tour and we had a great turnout. Lots of pieces found new homes. Now I am replenishing the walls and the super sale area for the second weekend so there is still a great selection to choose from. It looks like the weather is going to be nice again and I hope some of you will be able to come out!

Comet welcoming everyone to the studio

beautiful fall basket courtesy of my mother--Green Pony Garden

Animal and Hummingbird Urn, this piece was sold

Trellises set up around the yard

What's with all the rabbits?

2011-11-03T13:24:00.001-04:00

Setting up the studio today for the show it has come to my attention that there are a lot of rabbits around here. 20 and counting. Here are just a few. And here is a link to what they looked like before glazed.

Happiness is a kiln load of goodies

2011-10-28T15:56:00.000-04:00

Before


After

Newsletter and Invitation

2011-10-22T16:18:00.001-04:00

Just a quick link to my newsletter and invitation to my annual open studio show. The newsletter contains lots of information about the Studio Tour of Orange County and all the links to the preview shows and web site for the maps. I will have a stack of the maps at my studio so come on out and enjoy the tour!

Cathy Kiffney Studio Newsletter

A Giveaway!

2011-10-17T10:46:00.001-04:00

In the hopes of spreading the word around about my annual Open Studio Show I am giving the Giveaway idea a whirl. I keep on reading that it is a great way to promote your event on-line. Last year I semi-retired my postal mailing list in the hopes that I could advertise events and show on-line. If it works it will be great, if not I am just out of luck!
The idea with the giveaway is that more people will become aware of your event through the network of the internet. I'm posting the giveaway over on my Facebook page, and if people Like my page, and comment on the giveaway their friends will see and become aware of the show and maybe attend. Everyone who comments will be entered into the random drawing to win the piece. Voila--the network at work, and no postage fees!

So I invite you to join in, thanks so much!
Cathy Kiffney Studio on Facebook

Glaze Mixing Mayhem

2011-10-14T15:03:00.000-04:00

My day, sigh.
I've been working on simplifying my process of glazing so I've been slowing retiring old glazes and consolidating glazes, over 100 glazes is too many! My frugality wont let me just chuck them out, so I've been mixing the left over into big buckets and adding a little colored oxides, tin oxide and other glaze ingredients, then testing to see if they are any good. So far I've consolidated about 25 glazes into 4 buckets and have some great colors-- never to be reproduced.

Annual Open Studio

2011-10-12T13:17:00.000-04:00

Open Studio is three weeks away! I am working on my newsletter/invitation with all the details and a give away. I hope to send it out this week. So much to do in the next few weeks-- all good!

Just realized this might be easier-- link to the sign-up for my newsletter and invitations.

A Few Foxes

2011-10-05T07:09:00.000-04:00

A few frisky foxes--continuing my series of slip painted plates. These are in the painted, unfired state. The foxes, rabbits, chickens and quail will go in the bisque firing this week and then glazed next week, I hope!

Comet and his foxy friends

The view from here...

2011-10-02T17:58:00.000-04:00

Going home on Dairyland... I hope you had a wonderful day!

Drawing and Painting on Clay

2011-09-29T13:26:00.000-04:00

I'm getting back to my roots -- when I first started really working on the surfaces of my clay pieces I uses colored slips, stains and terra-sig. That was over 25 years ago. Over the years I developed my style of deep relief surfaces and began using more glazes. Although I continued to use colored slip and undercoatings and for some parts of the decorating, for the past few months I've been getting back to using the surface of the clay as a drawing surface, with very little carving. The work is becoming more pictorial and it is really challenging me to work in a different mode. I'm not sure where I am going with it, but I will continue to explore this more.
Here are a few I'm working on now, unfired and not glazed yet.

Fantasy Orchid Wall Sculpture Flower

2011-09-21T10:16:00.000-04:00

Orchids are such amazing flowers. All the incredible beauty and diversity make them truly fascinating. I've just listed this piece on my Etsy site for sale. Art print below is by Ernst Haeckel.

Hand built ceramic wall hanging sculpture, 14" diam. about 3" out from wall.
by Cathy Kiffney

Detail. Ceramic wall sculpture by Cathy Kiffney

Ernst Haeckel

Love Birds, Starry Night

2011-09-19T15:46:00.000-04:00

Starry Night Love Birds platter by me, 20" diam. Rainbow Lorikeets by nature. The photographer, Janine Duffy from We Love Birds web site. The Lorikeets usually mate for life; so they’re often seen in pairs, and during the heat of the day, spend their time perched together, preening each other

American Goldfinch and Thistle

2011-09-15T15:00:00.001-04:00

Every summer the male goldfinch turns bright yellow. They are still bright around here, but in the fall they will return to olive brown color. This is a platter from this summer, aprox 12 inches diameter. Hand built, carved when leather hard then painted with underglazes and glazes, fired to 1900 degrees fahrenheit.

Comet's Birthday

2011-09-14T17:55:00.003-04:00

A wee pup...

Just a boy...

A straping young lad...

Blue Moon Comet!

Art in the Garden

2011-09-13T11:30:00.000-04:00

my mom and a big dog

Every spring Tinka Jordy hosts an Art in the Garden show. I just found these pictures I took during the show this past spring. Tinka and Mark now have a super art gallery in Hillsborough, NC. Eno Gallery

Group Portrait

2011-09-12T16:22:00.002-04:00

I thought this might cheer up somebody's Monday.

Heckle and Jeckle found a home.

2011-09-11T07:25:00.000-04:00

A piece from my new cloud series found a home yesterday and I could not be more pleased because an artist, Luna Lee Ray, whom I admire tremendously purchased this piece for her own collection. Check out her amazing art work here. Thanks to my brother, Gustin for the title to this piece!

Lovely Rainy Day

2011-09-06T16:18:00.008-04:00

Fun, fun, fun-- Shoe Plates!

2011-08-29T17:38:00.005-04:00

Painted with slips, under-glazes, glazes and as if that wasn't enough, over-glazes on top! 9" diameter

Some of these are now at Frank Gallery in Chapel Hill, NC for the Dinning with Frank show. I thought they would make lovely dessert plates.

Anna Ternheim

2011-08-28T16:21:00.000-04:00

Sad, haunting and beautiful, what a voice!

Chicken Plates find new home far, far away

2011-08-25T17:25:00.002-04:00

They are going all the way to Chichester, West Sussex! I was just notified they arrived safe and sound. It is going to be a gift from a daughter to her Mum. I just love it, they call their moms, Mum!

Glazing

2011-08-24T18:27:00.000-04:00

My trusty companion, Comet

I don't think it is boring, just hard! I've been slowly changing my process to be what I hope will be more enjoyable. Over the years my technique evolved into one that involved up to about 40 glazes and under-glazes. I began to feel like I created a monster! Although the finished piece was exciting I had so many mishaps and it was just so complicated. So now I am slowly whittling away at the number of glazes and changing my process to more like drawing. Not sure yet where this will go, but I am ready!

Inspiration Wednesday on Thursday, artist Emma Kidd- Benconservato

2011-08-18T21:52:00.004-04:00

Here is a link to her blog, and to her Flickr site. It seems she is partial to monsters, they are wonderful.

New Ceramic Wall Birds

2011-08-16T17:27:00.002-04:00

I've been making wall birds for about 20 years, every group is different. These are some that will be flying off to Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery in a few days. The video that I posted here shows a bit about how they are made.

Making Birds

2011-08-14T16:48:00.000-04:00

Inspiration Wednesday on Thursday, artist and illustrator Olaf Hajek

2011-08-11T09:01:00.001-04:00

Inspiration Wednesday on Thursday, artist and illustrator Olaf Hajek.

Studio visitor

2011-08-09T18:08:00.001-04:00

I love it when things like this happen. This platter is hanging on the porch of my studio and this insect seemed to love the flower. I thought it was a grasshopper, but keen-eyed facebook follower filled me in, it is a cicada.
I wish I could get a picture of the hummingbirds that keep on trying to feed on the red flowers on some of the other platters, they are too fast.

Bees and Poppies

2011-08-08T17:44:00.000-04:00

Lovely red poppies and golden buzzing bees on a hand made ceramic wall hanging platter. From one of my original drawings I have inscribed the clay and painted it with my own glazes and colored slips. This is a one-of-a-kind artwork to hang on the wall. The piece is 12 inches in diameter, and about 1 3/4 inch high and has a built in foot that is wired with picture hanging wire ready to hang on a hook.

Chickadee and Dogwood Wall Hanging Platter

2011-08-06T07:44:00.001-04:00

Sweet chickadee in a dogwood. In this piece I have carved a large hand made platter and painted it with my own glazes and colored slips, this is a one-of-a-kind artwork to hang on the wall. The piece is 12 inches in diameter, and about 1 3/4 inch high and has a built in foot that is wired with picture hanging wire ready to hang on a hook. In my shop today.

We heard an owl last night

2011-08-03T13:05:00.003-04:00

Owls are so mysterious and beautiful, there is something magical about them. In this piece I have carved a large hand made platter and painted it with my own glazes and colored slips, this is a one-of-a-kind artwork to hang on the wall. The piece is 12 inches in diameter, and about 1 3/4 inch high and has a built in foot that is wired with picture hanging wire ready to hang on a hook.

The first day of the month--Rabbit!

2011-08-01T12:49:00.007-04:00

The first day of the month and the first day of the year you have to say rabbit, rabbit, rabbit to ensure good luck. Someone must have told me this when I was a kid, because for as long as I remember I try to do carry out this duty. I figure it can't hurt and it might help!

Golden Rabbit with Necklace, 13 inches diam.

Sculptural Wall Flowers

2011-07-30T18:59:00.005-04:00

It's summertime and we have some big blooms in the southern part of heaven!

Codex Seraphinianus

2011-07-27T16:32:00.003-04:00

Inspiration Wednesday
I came across some images from this book a few months back and keep on going back and looking at the images. The book is written and illustrated by an Italian artist, Luigi Serafini.

Black to White

2011-07-18T15:30:00.004-04:00

An exploration of art using only black & white

July 5 - August 22

Opening reception:
Friday, July 8th, 6-9pm.

Gallery Hours
Tues., Wed., Fri, Sat.	11am-6pm
Thursdays*	11am-8pm
Sundays	1pm-5pm
*Salon night with the artists	5pm-8pm

If you are in the Chapel Hill area I hope you can make a stop into Frank Gallery. I have some new work in this group show.

One year Anniversary on Etsy...

2011-07-07T17:41:00.002-04:00

I've been on the Etsy site for a year today, I can't say its been going gangbusters as far as direct sales, but it has lead to a lot of connections and new galleries for my work. Part of the problem is devoting more time to it, and I seem to have a hard time with that. To celebrate the anniversary everything listed on the Etsy site are on sale, marked down 25%. It will run through Sunday. Check it out, and thanks!

Here is one of the new pieces I put up today.

detail, butterfly pillow

Butterfly Wall Hanging Pillow, 9"x9"x2"

Owl Plate

2011-07-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

Flying Wall Birds

2011-06-22T17:31:00.002-04:00

Chicken Plates

2011-06-13T12:46:00.003-04:00

My neighbor got some chickens recently and I was struck by how pretty they are, especially the Silver Sebright Bantams. These chicken plates are in the Crook's Corner show that is up right now until the 3rd of July.

New Clouds and Pillows (clay)

2011-05-23T16:00:00.004-04:00

I've been firing and glazing the new work, here is the latest just out of the kiln. Some of these and more will be in my upcoming Crook's Corner show for the month of June. Please check out my Spring Newsletter for information about this show and 4 other shows!

Cedar Creek Gallery Teapot Show

2011-05-19T12:54:00.003-04:00


Jumping Rabbit, by Cathy Kiffney, wall hanging teapot, 14"x14"x2"

In the beautiful countryside of Creedmoor, NC is a jewel of a place--Cedar Creek Gallery a truly outstanding fine craft gallery. Well worth the trip and you can see The National Teapot Show! It will be open May 21 10am-6pm every day until August 21. America's best teapots are on display (and available for purchase) during this show.


Butterfly Teapot, by Cathy Kiffney, wall hanging teapot 14"x14"x2"

Jumping Rabbit Teapot, by Cathy Kiffney, 16"x14"x2"

Light Art and Design Gallery

2011-05-18T16:24:00.001-04:00

Here is a link to the invitation:
For the Birds

Spring Show is up now at

Light Art and Design until June 11th.

Beautiful gallery beautiful show!

Chickadee and Dogwood 14" wall hanging platter
this platter isn't actually in the show, but similar work is.

Tanager and Golden Roses. 14"x8"

Crook's Corner

2011-05-14T09:46:00.001-04:00

I've been working on new pieces for my upcoming show at Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, NC. This is very exciting to me for many reasons. I used to work at Crook's many years ago, first when it was the BBQ local fun spot and then when it was reinvented by the legionaries in the foodie world, Bill Neal and Gene Hamer. Not only is this place always fun, but the food is fantastic. For the past 17 year or so Bill Smith has been the chef. You have to check out his cookbook Seasoned in the South, yum!!
In early May, Crook's Corner was awarded The James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award!
Back in 1984 (?), Gene Hamer asked me if I wanted to have a show at Crook's. This was to be the first of many shows at the restaurant. At the time I was mainly making sculptural work. The challenge was to develop wall works, and ever since my work has been predominately wall works. Thanks Gene!

Carving Magpies, new cloud wall hanging shape

Chicken cloud plates. These are getting glazed,
that pink color is a red glaze, unfired.

Various cloud pieces, these are getting
under-glazed painted and carved.

New shapes, clouds. These rabbits are in the bisque state,
I'm not sure how I will glaze it.

carving pieces

Magpies on left, Owl and Cherry Blossoms, rt.

not sure where this is going, still painting it.

Peacock

Whale

Building cloud shapes, this is the third type of shape I've tried.

Slip painting

New Small Wall Birds

2011-04-16T12:35:00.002-04:00

I just put up a flock of new birds up on my Etsy site, thanks for looking! Here is a little video I made of making birds.

Night Vision

2011-04-11T17:13:00.001-04:00

I had the opportunity to visit this mural in its new home. The woman who bought it had her wall painted and wanted me to rehang the mural. This was one of the first multiple part pieces I've made, and it was a treat to see it again after a few years and to get a picture. The house is in a gorgeous spot in the county with huge windows that look out over a beautiful pasture on the edge of a pond. The collector loves the piece and I loved seeing in that setting. What could be nicer?

Hummingbirds

2011-04-04T16:00:00.001-04:00

It is about that time, the hummingbirds will be returning and I've just put some new pieces up on my Etsy site. I hope you will take a look!

Rabbit Paintings

2011-03-21T13:05:00.002-04:00

Two of these rabbit pieces (the top, black rabbit and the bottom, Mischief) I donated to the annual Women's Center art show. I think this is the 12th year that I have donated to this fundraiser. Here is a link to an article about the show. This was rather exciting for me, it was the first time I showed any of my paintings in public, other than in my studio and they both sold!

Small Bird Tiles

2011-03-11T15:41:00.002-05:00

I started this series of tiles when I was contacted by the NC Audubon Society to make a special tile for the T. Gilbert Pearson Society. These members are donors that provide Audubon North Carolina with its most critical source of funding.

The tile I made for them was a carved wall piece of a Prothonotary Warbler and Roses. After the commission was complete I decided to carve some more tiles, so now I have four birds in the series.

Who Cooks For You?

2011-03-03T16:33:00.001-05:00

Working on a few owl pieces. The first picture is the under-glazing, then they are bisque fired, glazed with many glazes and over-glazes and refired to 2000 degrees.

St. Valentine

2011-02-04T20:45:00.001-05:00

Valentines Day will be here soon. Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! I have some new wall pocket hearts over on my Etsy page!

100 TEAPOTS V

2011-01-31T17:20:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to have 2 of my wall hanging teapot pieces in the 100 Teapots V show at Baltimore Clayworks.
This is a national show, juried by Nick Joerling. There is a beautiful slide show of the work on their web site.

Jurors Statement:
My dictionary says a teapot is “A covered pot with a spout.” I smile at the judiciousness of that definition, like characterizing a human being as an upright body with a face. Buried in both succinct summations is the rich unending variety of mechanics, spirit, aesthetics, emotion, intellect. I like the blue-collar aspect of pots, that they do the every day work of carrying, containing, delivering, but can also “step out” and stimulate the mind and imagination. I like the pots that make good use of the constraints of utility, and I like the pots that push against those boundaries: pots that entertain some dicey possibilities. In my own studio I hope for pots that have qualities of sensuality, empathy, humor and risk. -Nick Joerling

100 TEAPOTS V

January 15-February 27, 2011
Opening: Saturday, January 15, 2011, 6:00–8:00PM

The year of the Rabbit--

2011-01-17T17:14:00.000-05:00

not that I need any excuses to make rabbit pieces!

2010-12-02T15:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to the newsletter I just sent out with the winner of the Cedar Waxwing Tile and an invitation to our Holiday Open House Art Sale!

Pictures from the open studio show...

2010-12-01T20:27:00.000-05:00

Over on Facebook I have an album of images from the show, take a look, click here. Also, scroll down on the blog and check out my posts about the two weekends.

2010-11-30T12:40:00.000-05:00

This picture was making the rounds on Facebook last week.
Well, of course I think it is a good idea :), and so far a lot of other people think so too! Yah!!
It is important to consider where we choose to spend our money and whenever possible I choose local small shops, farmers markets, local artists and services.

From the Choose Local Website:
Why should I shop locally rather than at a big national chain? A dollar spent at a locally owned store is usually spent 6 to 15 times before it leaves the community. From $1.00, you create $5.00 to $14.00 in value within that community. Spend $1.00 at a national chain store, and 80% of it leaves town immediately. This info is from Tim Mitchell, first cited in E-magazine, article available through the Northwest Earth Institute's Choices for Sustainable Living course book. Thank you for supporting local businesses and contributing to a sustainable economy within our community!

Giving Thanks

2010-11-25T15:53:00.000-05:00

A quick post wishing all, near and far, a Happy Thanksgiving.
In the spirit of the day I've set up a Giving Thanks sale on my Etsy page starting now and going through Monday.

Thanks everyone!

Etsy Giving Thanks Sale on Etsy

Open Studio Show : part two

2010-11-10T16:27:00.000-05:00

I was glad to get a moment to take a few pictures before the crowds came.
Here is one of the largest platters, 20" diameter. It found a new home! I displayed it on a plate stand near my studio mascots. I can't stand the thought of a caged bird although I would love the have one. I'll settle for my little fake birds that are perched just above my main work table that looks out into the woods.
It was a beautiful fall weekend, we estimated that about 200 + people came. I think it was even busier than last weekend!

On one of the main display walls I set up the three part mural, "Dreamland".
I love the owl in this piece and the little white animal with the turquoise blue wings.

Crystal glazes, bees and roses! This series was a smashing hit! Still have more to choose from, call me or come out to our one day December show. I'll post more info later.

THE WALL OF BIRDS! The bird series continue to be a favorite. One sweet woman from Raleigh bought 35 birds! It was exciting! She is going to have flock of birds in her new bathroom. Time to make some more fast!

Open Studio Show: first weekend

2010-11-09T09:12:00.000-05:00

We were working up until to the last minute setting up for the show. No surprises there, no matter how early I start it always take exactly that amount of time to finish. It is exhausting but I'm always so happy to see my work displayed nicely.

Here is a view of the entrance as you come down the driveway through the gate on the side of the studio. I had a series of eight bird plaques, now there are only 3 left.

People commented on how the glazes looked beautiful in the natural light.
I think they would look lovely on a porch wall!

Saturday was rainy and chilly, but we had a great turn out. We think at least 200 people during the weekend. I wish I had some pictures of the crowd, but I was either too busy or forgot! I will try to get pictures this weekend. It's so much fun to get a shot of the person with the pieces they choose to get!

I sold a few shoe sculptures!(not this one). It takes a certain person, usually a woman but not always. They have a great sense of humor, the love of whimsy, fantasy or absurdity!

Here is one area of the main wall inside the studio, a wall vase with botanical wall hanging plates surrounding it.

The times they are a-changin'

2010-10-22T11:45:00.000-04:00

For about 20 years I have sent out postcard invitations to my open studio shows, and now my mailing list is so large it has become cost prohibitive to mail out so many cards. And now with email and online connections it seems silly to continue. My problem is I don't want to loose track of all the people on my mailing list so I am asking everyone if they are interested in keeping in touch with me to please sign up for my email newsletter with I will use to invite people to my shows. I promise, your contact information is kept private, and you can remove your name at anytime.

So sign up for my email notices and you will have a chance of winning this Cedar Waxwing Tile! If you are already subscribed to my email newsletter, just email me and I will enter your name into the drawing!

It is with some reluctance I am giving up on postcards (except for very special shows). People have told me that they have a collection of my cards because they love the pictures of my work, and it is like having a piece. So I looking into getting images of my work printed on greeting cards and hope to have some available soon!

Kiln Goddess of the Roses

2010-10-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

Kiln goddess of the Roses, look after this kiln firing, please don't let anything blow up and help all the colors to develop in ways that are pleasing to you.

She is working overtime, can't wait to see how this firing turns out. Pictures coming soon, stay tuned!

Introducing Pottery: The Complete Guide

2010-10-18T11:11:00.001-04:00

I just got the word from Dan Rhode that his new book is on its way to the UK (he lives there now), and will be available November, 2010. He is not sure when it will be available in the US, hopefully soon.The book is titled Introducing Pottery: The Complete Guide.

It's really funny because the pottery book in every clay persons library is by Daniel Roades, Clay and Glazes for the Potter. This is considered the potters bible, first published in 1957 and still the go-to-book for all thing clay.

Dan Rhode and Dan Roades, sounds the same but diffident spellings and generations--who knows maybe the new book will become the next go to book for all things clay. I hope so!

My section in the book will be on my process for making large carved and molded wall platters. I can't wait to see it, I'm really excited and honored to be in his book! Thanks Dan!

Here is a cute picture of Dan with his new book.

New pictures over on my facebook page.

2010-10-02T08:36:00.000-04:00

Step by step-- a series of images showing the process of making little wall bird are posted in an album on my Facebook page:

Making birds with my bare hands--it is one of my super powers!

Art in the Garden at Duke Raleigh Hospital

2010-09-23T16:56:00.000-04:00

It was a beautiful setting for a show and the weather was nice. I saw some old friends and made some new ones. This was the first year for the show and it holds much promise as a fine venue.

Duke Raleigh Hospital Garden

Lisa Oakley

Lisa Oakley (glass), Bill Hickman (metal), and Jennifer Stas (pottery) were my neighbors!

Jennifer Stas

Bill Hickman

Jennifer Stas


my booth


Bill Hickman


wall vase

some new small plates

2010-09-15T16:14:00.001-04:00

moth and echinacea

milkweed

Pegasus and golden stars

dandelion

moth and lily

Dr. Seuss flower

an imagined eden

Before and After

Making Vases

Camouflaged Birds

The owl and the rabbit...

Getting back to work

Love Birds II

Foxey Loxey

Love Birds

The only lasting beauty

Fireplace Surrounds Commissions

Commissions

Hope is the thing with feathers...

Summer Dream

Have a Warm Winter Solstice and Happy Holidays!

Archive

The Sly Red Fox

Chicken or the Egg?

Fox with Blue Eyes

Quail on Egg

Joe Rowand's Art Collection Auction

Nice to be home

Thanksgiving

Some of the cloud pieces that found new homes.

Welcoming Committee

What's with all the rabbits?

Happiness is a kiln load of goodies

Newsletter and Invitation

A Giveaway!

Glaze Mixing Mayhem

Annual Open Studio

A Few Foxes

The view from here...

Drawing and Painting on Clay

Fantasy Orchid Wall Sculpture Flower

Love Birds, Starry Night

American Goldfinch and Thistle

Comet's Birthday

Art in the Garden

Group Portrait

Heckle and Jeckle found a home.

Lovely Rainy Day

Fun, fun, fun-- Shoe Plates!

Anna Ternheim

Chicken Plates find new home far, far away

Glazing

Inspiration Wednesday on Thursday, artist Emma Kidd- Benconservato

New Ceramic Wall Birds

Making Birds

Inspiration Wednesday on Thursday, artist and illustrator Olaf Hajek

Studio visitor

Bees and Poppies

Chickadee and Dogwood Wall Hanging Platter

We heard an owl last night

The first day of the month--Rabbit!

Sculptural Wall Flowers

Codex Seraphinianus

Black to White

An exploration of art using only black & white

July 5 - August 22

Gallery Hours

One year Anniversary on Etsy...

Owl Plate

Flying Wall Birds

Chicken Plates

New Clouds and Pillows (clay)

Cedar Creek Gallery Teapot Show

Light Art and Design Gallery

Crook's Corner

New Small Wall Birds

Night Vision

Hummingbirds

Rabbit Paintings

Small Bird Tiles

Who Cooks For You?

St. Valentine

100 TEAPOTS V

100 TEAPOTS V

The year of the Rabbit--

Newsletter