Sunday, August 30, 2015

A New Mask is Created

Here is my latest ceramic innovation, named the " Scarlet Spirit" . I  am continuing  on my path of creating smaller masks, something  you can hold in your palm or hang in a small space. 
I do not have very big hands. This measures about six inches from top to bottom.
September 4th, 2015, is First Friday here in Sedona, AZ., where I live and exhibit. Galleries stay open later, from 5 until 8 pm; artists are present, and they serve refreshments. It is a great way to participate in the art scene here in Sedona. The  Moving On Gallery, located in the Hillside shopping area, invited me to participate as a guest artist in their mask exhibition, along with Pat Priola, an owner, and artist Patty Miller.
I like shows, they give me an impetus to create something entirely original  for that event. I have made some bigger masks in this round style, adorned with their horsehair halos. They are gone; sold. Time to look through the looking glass and shrink their size.
Smaller is Not necessarily easier, I might add.I must take a long time to dry these items or they will crack. I like to make my ceramics light in both material, and feeling. Glazed, they are fired once in my kiln to be hardened. Then a second, primitive firing creates that smoky look. Each mask is carefully constructed with copper wire , covered in yarn, so very secure to hang. I am  creating not only for the present, but to last into the future. 
Stop on by this coming Friday night and say hello if you are in Sedona.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Seeing Where You Hang


Here I am in front of my sculpture that just sold, in the place where it now lives. How great is it when an artist can actually see where the art will be after it is sold!
I recently had my solo show called "Reflections" in Jerome. A collector saw this piece and thought his partner would like it. Of course, all good shows have to end and mine just had. I  then invited them both to see the piece at my studio. They liked it so much they bought it. The gallery handled the sale, since that is where it was first seen.  
Often the artist has no idea where their work finally hangs. This time I was fortunate enough to see exactly where it would be placed, since I delivered it, here in Sedona.
Most  often it is shipped away, and we are the anonymous creators. It was my good fortune to see what a fine home it had, nestled among other first class creations. Would that we artists could always know where our art finds its home. Seeing where we hang gives a completion to our creative process.