Heading To Japan For Christmas?

Then be sure to get to Gallery MIDORI in Mashiko, Japan. 2010 Dec. 23rd ~ 2010 Jan. 29th to see the latest installment of the Three Roads to Mashiko!  The show features the creations of Douglas B. Black, Christopher M. Gaston and Andrew Gemrich.  Douglas, Christopher and Andrew are three American Ceramic Artists living and creating in Japan.  All three truly inspiring artists, be sure to check out thier sites, or better yet, go to Japan and see the show!

Here is wishing that you all have the Merriest of Christmas's and Creative Success in the coming New Year!  SoCalPotters has kind of been on a hiatus but there are alot of plans for the coming year, stay tuned!

Merry Christmas!

Medusa Steps Out... And Needs Some Help

You may remember a while back an interview done here with Sierra Pecheur.  She has recently begun the process funding the continuation of DIG: An Imagined Archeologism called "Medusa Steps Out".  Watch the video for some background then follow the link above or the right of this page and give what you can, even one dollar will help!

Good Luck Sierra!

Are You In The Los Angeles Area?

Want to get an early start on your holiday shopping and support local artisans?  Then head on over to Pasadena and the Xiem Clay Center for thier annual Ceramic Art Fair!  By supporting local artists and handmade craft you are not only supporting your local economy, you are helping the planet too!  If you go, stop by the Covert Potters Association booths and say hi, free gift with every purchase! Go to the Xiem Clay website for more info.

ART From The Ashes ~ INSPIRE

ART from the ashes is sponsoring another event to raise money for re-hab of burn areas.  Only this time the artists selected to be a part of the show can submit thier own work for sale in addition to AFTA pieces.  Below are the pieces I created using debris from the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens which burned a few years back.  The pieces of metal had been signs on various plants throughout the gardens.  I made the "posts" out of a cone 5 stoneware and glazed them with a lichen glaze to simulate charcoal.  Stay tuned for more about INSPIRE!

Pottery And Comfort Food Online Exhibit

The Covert Potters Association recently hosted an online Pottery & Comfort Food Exhibit.  The delectable dish pictured in the image above was sent in by Elizabeth Wamsley.  Check out the winners on the Covert Potter website, and if you are on Facebook follow the link on the right side of this page and be a fan of the Covert Potters!

Social Networking Meandering...

Do you ever do it, get totally lost into FaceBook then before you know it an hour or two has passed. Facebook seems to be loaded with potters and ceramic artists. That is where I first saw the beautifull work from Crop Circle Clay. They use ceramic decals alot which is something I want to explore more.So today I came across a post where Diana Brower has teamed up with The Survival Guide For The Young, Fabulous And Newlywed for a personalized Crop Circle Clay Latte Cup. Just follow the link, then follow the directions to enter the Crop Circle Clay Giveaway!

Covert Potters Ice Cream Social

The Covert Potters are having thier first Ice Cream Social. In keeping with thier past events those attending will select a bowl from one of the Covert Potters then enjoy a delicious assortment of homemade ice cream with lots of toppings to choose from. Afterwards you take the bowl with you! How cool is that? Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $20.00 the day of the event, so get your ticket early and save! Follow the link to reserve your spot today!! Covert Potters Ice Cream Social

And if you want to keep up with what they are doing, follow the Covert Potters on FACEBOOK too!

Ross Petersen ~ New Beginings

Going through files on my computer I came across these images, taken earlier this year at the Xiem Clay Center in Pasadena California. They are of a one man show by Ross Petersen. I really enjoyed seeing this body of work since I was a member at Xiem for many years and recall Ross working on them.

I really do wish I had more info on hand about them, but they were striking to see in person and quite moving. What do you think? What do you think is going on here?

Andy Clift And Claystation

Late last year a friend and I went out to Redlands California to the home and studio of artist Andy Clift. I had seen his work at the Xiem Clay Center. Larger than life orchids doubling as fountains. They are beautiful and somewhat surreal. Andy teaches ceramics at the University of Redlands as well as San Bernadino Valley College.

Andy is also the founder of Claystation, an online community for ceramics enthusiasts everywhere. Claystation is loaded with information. I highly suggest you get a favorite beverage, follow the link, set-up an account and do some reading. There are forums, links and classifieds. Once you have an account you can join in by participating in the forums. There is a great selection of instructional videos to watch as well. Do yourself a favor, set up and account, bookmark the page and visit often. Lets all help Andy make Claystation a place where potters from all over the world can go to for news and information.

Thanks Andy!

The Handmade Diaries on Oprah's OWN TV

Oprah is launching a new television network called OWN TV, the network will go on the air in January 2011 "OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network will be a 24/7 cable network devoted to self-discovery, to connecting you to your best self and to the world".

She has teamed up with reality tv producer Mark Burnett and they are accepting auditions for shows on OWN. Its a contest to be in a reality tv show, the winner getting his or her show on OWN. Above is my video, I had originally shot it with my friend and fellow potter Sally Anne Stahl but in the rules (that I didnt read) it states that there can only be one host, so we got rejected. Last night at Sally Anne's urging I re-shot, edited and uploaded this video. Check it out and if you would be so kind please vote! You dont have to be a member to vote, but you do to leave a comment. Click the link below to vote for the Handmade Diaries, Thank You!

VOTE!!

Mug Swap Event With The Covert Potters

The Covert Potters Association is having an event that just started today. This July they are initiating an honest to goodness pottery swap. Not a potter but still a crafter? feel free to join. If you would like to take part, please email us your name, address and email address by July 4th, We will send out the list by July 7th and we asked that all mugs or crafts be sent in the mail by July 15th. So person #1 will send a mug to #2, #2 sends to #3, #3 to #4, etc and the last person sends to #1. We will pull names out of a hat for the order.Hope you will join us in this first online event! Please keep in mind that RSVP via this event page is amazing, but we still need you to send us your info to get your mug. potteryparty@covertpotters.com. Visit the event page on FaceBook and become a fan of the Covert Potters on Facebook too!

This is really cool! I love getting suprises in the mail!!

Eco-Pottery With Sustain Ceramics

Utilizing things like brick dust, fossilzed clay, broken windshields and bottles, sandstone and broken ceramic plates the artist at Sustain Ceramics gathers recycled materials around his home in England to create beautiful works of art from refuse. In this day and age we need to think about ways to live a "greener" lifestyle. Being a potter and all that goes with it doesnt exactly make it the greenest of practices. But Sustain Ceramics shows us that it is possible to recycle and create works of art all the while reducing your carbon footprint.

Beautiful work, I applaud thier efforts!

In The Wake Of Devastating Fire...

Comes incredible art! The nonprofit Art From The Ashes together with the Glendale Parks & Open Space Foundation are presenting a show to benefit the Deukmejian Wilderness Park in Glendale California. After devastating fires Art From The Ashes invites artists of all mediums in to collect material and debris to use to make their art. I am honored to be a part of this exhibition! The image below are the pieces that I created using burned wood collected from the site, then photographed up in the Station Fire burn area. I am very excited with how my pieces turned out, and looking forward to the opening of the show.

It's A Plaid Thing..

Giveaway that is! I stopped by the NighBluey Herald, because it packages life in easy-to-swallow caplets, and they are having a plaid tumbler giveaway! the tumblers are from JD Wolfe Pottery and are pretty nice I must say. So head on over to NighBluey and enter to win!

Covert Potters Thinking Outside The Box

The Covert Potters Association and Amy's Patio Cafe in Altadena invite you to Soup's Up! on Saturday March 20th. There will be three seatings offered starting at 11:30 am then 1:00 pm and the last seating will be at 2:30 pm. All of the Covert Potters are hard at work creating beautiful bowls for the event. Amy's will be offering three different soups in addition to thier famous zuchinni bread and french rolls. Try one, try them all, it's all you can eat! As usual the guests will select a bowl that will then be thiers to keep to enjoy for years to come. The Covert Potters will also have additional bowls and select items available for purchase.

The cost is $35 per person in advance, $40.00 per person on the day of. Amy's Patio Cafe is located at 900 East Altadena Dr. Altadena CA, 91001. Reserve your spot today! Click here for Soups's Up!

The Covert Potters Association is a group of potting friends who are banding together to promote thier work. In these tough economic times we as artists need to think outside the box. The Covert Potters are thinking outside the box in coming up with ways to for promote thier craft. Check out the Covert Potters website

Architectural Ceramics Workshop With Travis Pellerin

Architectural Ceramics have embellished interiors and exteriors of buildings for centuries. From Entrances, fireplaces, fountains, bathrooms and gateways. This January 23 & 24 you can learn how to make a custom fireplace surround. Ceramic Artist and teacher Travis Pellerin is giving a workshop. Limited to 10 people, the cost of the workshop is $175.00 for two days of hands on instruction and breakfast and lunch is included! It is an incredible deal! If you are in the Southern California area don't miss it! The workshop will be in Winchester, close to Temecula. For more info email Travis. The workshop is in just a few weeks located at 32498 Saint Martin Street, Winchester CA, 92596 on January 23 & 24 from 9 am to 4 pm both days, breakfast and lunch included for the bargain price of $175.00. Email for more info today! Or give him a call at 951-443-7677 And be sure to tell him you found out about it here!

A couple years ago I attended an architectural ceramic workshop with Peter King and Xinia Marin in Pensacola Florida. I had been looking for local workshops when I came across Peter. Check out Peter Kings book, but sign up for Travis's workshop! Much closer and a lot less money!