Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Fred Marer Collection & Scripps Annual

Dont forget, save the date! We are scheduled for a private viewing of the Fred Marer Collection at Scripps College on Saturday March 8 at 10:00 am. the address is;

1030 Columbia Avenue

Claremont, CA 91711


We will meet at the corner of 11th and Columbia promptly at 10. Dont be late! If you plan on attending please email me by clicking on the button in the upper right hand column.
We will have approximately 2 hours to see the collection, after that we will go see the Scripps Annual. That evening, Into The Woods, A Fiery Tale opens at AMOCA and some will be staying out in the area to go to the opening.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Street Shows or Online Sales?

For years potters didnt have many choices when setting out to sell thier work. You have the art show/festival circuit, farmers markets, galleries and boutique shops. I talk to other potters all the time and a common question is "do you have a website, and do you actually sell anything from there?" Many artists are reluctant to begin the task of a website, especially today when there are sites like Etsy, My Art Plot and a host of others. I personally havent used any of the online sales sites, doesnt mean I wont, just havent to date. I am trying to get back to doing more shows especially since I recently got laid off from my day job! Allthough the setting up and tearing down can be a drag, the comraderie among the artists is nice as is exchanging info on good shows to do etc. So I am curious, what do you think of the online stores? What has your experience been with them, do you sell enough from those sites to replace shows?

Saturday, February 23, 2008

DIG: Excavation Workshops

Sierra gave her talk about her work today at the Xiem Clay Center, Sierra is a wonderful story teller and it was quite interesting.
Speaking of Sierra, as part of her show she has been conducting workshops. There is one coming up next week. Here's the info...
DIG: Excavation Workshops
What if...?
What do we want to leave as a legacy...all the silliness, sadness, beauty, hope and irrelevance?
What if I dont tell the story, who will?
So I started EXCAVATION WORKSHOPS in which participants from the community can become both artisan and dig assistant. Theycreate small clay relics - artifacts which become a permanent part of the dig. A group photo is taken with thier names and the name the excavation site to be posted with the exhibit. The workshops are an integral part of the process and purpose of the dig. They pose questions of our legacy and represent what they'd like to be found 10, 100 even 100 years into the future. each workshop takes place over three days, each one week apart so that the relics can dry, be bisqued and glazed then high fired, prior to being admired and discussed then coveted by me!
The next excavation is scheduled at the Xiem Clay Center and the dates are as follows;
Sunday March 2, 11am to 1 pm:
Invent and create as many or as few small artifacts and relics out of clay which would fit within a 3x3x5 in box
Sunday March 9, 11am to 1 pm:
Oxide and glaze the bisqued relics
Sunday March 16, 11am to 1pm
Examine and discuss the finished relics
The workshops are scheduled one week apart to allow for drying and firing. This event is free and open to the public. If you are interested in attending please call the Xiem Clay Center @ 626.794.5833
If you are interedted in bringing the show and workshops to your community contact Sierra through her website DIG

Friday, February 15, 2008

Can You Dig It?

The following is from the Los Angeles Times yesterday for my friend Sierra Pecheur's show at the Xiem Clay Center.

Sierra Pecheur has always loved bones, so it's fitting that the L.A. artist created an installation evoking famous and infamous collections of human remains. But "DIG: An Imagined Archeo-logism," a show of more than 350 ceramic works at Pasadena's Xiem Gallery, is meant to look more like an archaeological dig than a morbid curiosity. "My intention was to answer the questions: 'What do we want to leave behind? How do we want to be remembered?' " Pecheur says. "I like the idea of bones being monuments."


Opens 6-8 p.m. Sat.; ends April 12, Xiem Clay Center

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

What Do You Think About While Working?

I have thought about this and alot of the time I just go off someplace far away. When throwing I am aware of my surroundings and when really in the "groove" its almost a dream-like state for me. I may stop throwing and sit and stare and relish that place the work has taken me.

What about you? What do you think about while working in the studio?

Monday, February 11, 2008

DIG: An Imagined Archeo-logism This Saturday!

This Saturday, DIG: An Imagined Archeo-logism opens for the first time at the Xiem Clay Center in Pasadena California. I had the opportunity over the weekend to get a sneak peak during set-up and it is going to be amazing show. It is an impressive body of work that Sierra Pecheur is presenting. Thought provoking and mysterious yet playful in a macabre way this work will leave an impression.
The opening reception is Saturday February 16th, 6:00pm to 8:00 pm.
The Following week Sierra will be giving an artist’s talk about the work on Saturday February 23rd @ 1:00 pm

Advanced registration required; 626-794-5833

Friday, February 8, 2008

Geoffrey Tjakra


Geoffrey Tjakra (Chai Ye Liang) MFA in Studio Arts (Ceramics) Terminal Degree from California State University, Los Angeles, CA, June 2007BFA in Visual Arts (Sculpture) from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of Arts, NJ, June 1994


I met Geoffrey at the Xiem Clay Center where he teaches Handbuilding & Wabi Sabi Wheel.
Why clay?
I like the way the clay keeps morphing in my hands with every touch. Clay is elusive in that it keeps changing its properties as the clay looses moisture. I like the idea that I am somehow connected to the earth, and I am directly playing with the five elements; earth, water, metal, fire and air which ultimately transform my ideas and imaginations into something very real and permanent.
Where do you like to work?
Somewhere quiet and peaceful, and in a relax state of mind. Mostly in my garage with the radio or TV on.
What get’s you in the mood?
A lot of free time, after browsing through books, after watching a good anime films or horror films, after seeing a good exhibition in a gallery or a museum.
Do you listen to music when you work?
Yes! I like the “doors” or with the radio on a station with a live DJ.
What motivates your work?
Everything and anything.
Do you like to work alone or in public?
Ideally alone, but when I am busy, I try to make use of any available time I have to make it work, so it’s usually during class time as I am demonstrating and in between teaching classes.
Who is your favorite artist and why?
I like Picasso for his creative genius and his freedom of creation. Nowadays, I like Tip Toland, Akio Takamori, Ron Mueck, and Lee Bontecou
What would you say to someone just getting started in ceramics who asks you for advice?
Never stop learning, always try new things, keep experimenting, keep at it till you get good at it, and always have fun.
What’s your favorite cuss word?
“Damn it!”
What is your favorite pleasure?
Watching my two and the half years old daughter discover new things or trying new things. Playing with clay.


Thank You Geoffrey!

Thursday, February 7, 2008

YouTube

I just went back to YouTube and did a search on "pottery" which came up with allmost 5500 results!
A quick search of "ceramics" brougt allmost 6000 results, but a search of "ceramic art" only brought about 700.

All in all if one were so inclined you could spend hours, or days watching videos of potters and ceramic artists in action on YouTube.

King EpiCai

This is a video by King EpiCai, Geoffrey Tjakra. Geoffrey is going to be the second in the series of ceramic artist interviews. I love his work, check out the video. There are alot more on You Tube follow the link to check them out.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Paper Clay

Have you ever used it? We had a show at Xiem once and the majority of the work was done with paper clay. I have been researching how to make it, fire it etc. Here's a link to a page on SQUIDOO with lots of information on making and firing paper clay.
Angela Mellor is responsible for this beautiful bowl made with paper clay. be sure and follow the link to her website, the work is incredible!

DIG: An Imagined Archeo-logism

Opening Reception
Saturday February 16th, 6:00pm to 8:00 pm
Artists Talk
Saturday February 23rd @ 1:00 pm
Advanced registration required; 626-794-5833

For more info;

DIG: An Imagined Archeo-logism
or
Xiem Clay Center

Friday, February 1, 2008

Cooking In Your Kiln

I have heard stories in the past of people having parties at thier studios and using the kiln to cook in. I actually did use a kiln recently at a potluck to keep food warm until everyone arrived, I decided to Google "Cooking In Your Kiln" and came up with the website for New Mexico Clay with a story about cooking in your kiln.

Have you ever done it? If so let me know how it went, maybe I'll post it!