Things coming out of the kiln!

Last week was a glazing marathon week and there is still much more to do!  Dozens of new wall birds and some 16" diam wall platters. These will be going to Texas for a commission for a hospital. I still have about three more kilns to fire. The Kiln goddess will be working overtime for the next couple of weeks.

I just found out that a neighbor has these birds, Gouldian Finch, native to Australia.  Maybe she will let me come over to see them in person, hint-hint, Isadora. :)

Maybe I will post more often as these new pieces are complete. Thanks for looking!

kiln goddess of the roses, working overtime!

Rabbit, Rabbit!

First of the month, did you say Rabbit Rabbit first thing?

Owls

I am very happy how these turned out. More from my underglaze drawing series, these are the owl plates. Size is about 9" diam, and they hare wired on the back to hang. I just listed them on my Etsy site.  Here is the link to what they looked like working on them.

Owl Plate, hand built, 9" diam. Cathy Kiffney

Detail, Owl Plate, Cathy Kiffney

Owl Plate, wall hanging. 9" diam. Cathy Kiffney

Detail, owl plate, Cathy Kiffney

Continuing my obsession with clouds

surface work on cloud shapes. Cathy Kiffney

Clouds ~ Clay

making cloud forms. Cathy Kiffney

This has been going on for about a year, but I have not had time to really explore like I would like.

smoothing clouds. Cathy Kiffney

Clouds made out of clay. I like the juxtaposition clouds/clay. 

cloud form, clay. Cathy Kiffney

Clouds--soft, ephemeral. Clay--hard, permanent. Also, I've been searching for a form that have no utilitarian reference.

slip painting, clay clouds. Cathy Kiffney

Voila! Clouds

glazing clouds. Cathy Kiffney

clay cloud, 11x7x2". Cathy Kiffney

On the table

Saxapahaw Art Gallery

Have you heard about Saxapahaw? Read this article in the NY Times about this unlikely little hot spot. I live right down the road so I was excited to hear about the Saxapahaw Art Gallery.  It is in an old storefront, hardwood floors, old brick walls and a meat locker room with a secret patio out back that is going to be turned into a bar and coffee shop.
So I am happy about having my work represented there. Such an easy drive and a cool place to hang out. Here are a couple of the works at the gallery.

Owl Platter, 16" diam. Cathy Kiffney

All the Hemispheres, Ceramic wall piece 24" high, Cathy Kiffney

Hummingbirds

Well, my version...here are a few from my last flock. Two of these are available on my Etsy site. Happy Monday! Here is a haiku to get you started.

Creativity,
and the lively hummingbird,
can be illusive.  

--Bonnie Best

Hummingbird ceramic wall bird, Cathy Kiffney

Hummingbird ceramic wall bird, Cathy Kiffney

Hummingbird ceramic wall bird, Cathy Kiffney

Tidewater Gallery

It is so nice when a gallery owner comes to my studio. NO shipping, yay!! And I  get to meet them, and they get to pick out exactly what they want, win-win!!

If you are lucky enough to be going to the Crystal Coast of North Carolina take a trip to Swansboro, NC. It is a sweet little village right on the Cape Fear river.  Look for Tidewater Gallery in a beautiful historic house and look for my work! Say hi to the gallery director, Ray for me. Here are a few of the works they have.

Bluebird and Red Roses, Large wall platter, carved. Cathy Kiffney

Bird, wall piece. Cathy Kiffney

Jumping Rabbit wall hanging teapot. Cathy Kiffney

Red Rabbit and Dandelion, Cathy Kiffney

The Making of a Mural part one

I have been commissioned to make 4 large wall panels, a commemorative piece for a very sweet collector.  After many consultations to gather her ideas and wishes I did a sketch for us to use to further refine her ideas.  She has a beautiful garden, absolutely amazing with all kinds flowers and very peaceful.  We are trying to capture the essence of that.

Then the clay started. I call this the cave man stage--- whack with mallet.

 

Make some slabs, these will be approximately 23"x12"

 

Smoothing--Action shot!

 Side borders

 

Making the border sides, this is the back side join the slabs.

 Forgot to get a few pictures of the stages before this, but it was layout, underpainting and carving. She wants it full of beautiful flowers, lots of  butterflies birds and her sweet little dog friend, Lillie Mae.

 More painting and carving. Owl and rabbits, doves, roses.....

  Here is the half finished mural. Up to this point this is about a month of work. Now it will dry and then be bisqued fired. Then more glazing and detail work and into the kiln again, with fingers crossed!

I will post pictures as I continue this project.

Black Rabbit - White Rabbit

Black Rabbit - White Rabbit, ceramic wall diptych, 1997. Cathy Kiffney

From the archives, 1997 is my best guess.
2 part wall piece, 36" long x 14" high.
I think I was thinking about opposites and our dual nature, subconscious-conscious, positive-negative, black-white, left-right, night-day.

This was one of my first multiple part pieces and still  one of my favorites.  I showed it at Tyndall Galleries when the gallery was still in Brightleaf in Durham and I was pleasantly encouraged because it sold right away.