Here I am in front of a case full of handmade books. I am pointing at those made by me. This display is currently at the Prescott Valley Library until Jan 6, 2015. A wonderful selection of various styles of hand bound books.Two of my books also have original calligraphy. That was really how I got into making books. Certain alphabets I learned were flourishing before there was even a printing press. So making the book seemed a natural extension of my art.
The library itself is an architectural innovation, which I liked seeing.Something provocative in the north country.
The art of made by hand books is alive and well in northern Arizona. A group of us meet every few months and have a workshop to create a specific type of book. The attendees are all experienced book artists. Each member takes turn being the teacher, and chooses the subject. Anyone who has ever done this knows how much one learns a from those we teach.
So I invite you to go and visit this display and enter the world of handmade books.
"Who Am I?" is the title of this mixed media piece, currently showing here in Sedona. This is the theme of the show itself, sponsored by the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition.
I am the artist, and I am the image in the mirror. What a provocative idea. To me, using a mirror reflects the varying aspects of asking that question. Don't we all change every day of our life? It can be going on inside, our feelings and emotions, as well as the outward reflection.
I have been mixing collage with my calligraphy for a while. I chose to use sepia tones in my photos, ripping the edges as I like to do. Can't have things too orderly. There are pictures of me from long ago both on the edge, and in the compartments on the front.
I am telling the story of where I came from; what I have done; experiences that make me the person I am today.There is even a compartment for ideas and comments from the viewer. Interactive art.
Incorporating my skills as a ceramic artist, I made the letters in various calligraphic styles out of clay. That is a big part of what I am about as well.
I like that each time I look at this piece, or you do, we will see the current image of "who I am?" right now.
Blue is the color of these miniature pots. They just recently came out of my kiln. All are less than three inches tall.
This high fire glaze is a shiny one, and the white porcelain clay I use seems to show off this luster.Often I decorate my small pots with feathers and turquoise. I am an Arizona artist, after all.The warm colors of red and yellow make a nice contrast with the cooler shade of blue.
This photo is a very accurate portrayal of this hue. Cobalt is the main ingredient is making a glaze blue. Other ingredients influence the result, as in this glaze.
I was listening to public radio yesterday. They were discussing all the meanings and descriptions of the color blue. It can be a mood, a type of music,even a slang word.
The choice and variety of this color are incredible. This particular blue seems to draw me into the pot. I hope it feels that way to you, as well.
Imagine. On either side of a grassy lawn are eight ceramics dogs on pedestals, lining each side. You can see their size compared to my own. Made long ago in the far east,they are as fearsome and well preserved today as when created to decorate an emperor's garden.This photo was taken in the place called the Fu Gardens.
When recently in Illinois, I visited The Allerton Park and Retreat, donated to the University of Illinois, at Urbana-Champain, by Robert Allerton . Built as a private house in 1900 by his father, a wealthy Chicago businessman, these 1,500 acres and grounds were called "The Farms " in their time. Now the grounds of the stately Georgian manor, complete with sculpture gardens, are free for the public to wander.
These ceramic dogs, with their fierce expressions and brilliant cobalt glaze, intrigued me. Clay is such an ancient form of expression, and functionality. Somehow, in my own way, I feel I am carrying on these ancient traditions.
Here I am at looking at pieces from jewelry of long ago. As a ceramic artist, I create porcelain clay beads, from which I make necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. I like jewelry. I make it. I wear it. I know I am not alone. Here is proof.
These beads date back to 3800 BC.Over five thousand years ago, and people were adorning themselves with jewels. Making beads from shells and clay. We have come a long way, yet not very far at all from our sense of style.
While travelling recently in Chicago, I visited the Oriental Institute, part of the University of Chicago. It houses a collection of antiquities from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. These lands were called the " Orient" at the turn of the last century, when university archaeologists began unearthing artifacts.Hence the name.
I just couldn't believe how lovely these items were, how contemporary in look, and yet how ancient.The continuity of people, with our need to be decorated and individual. That is why I know that jewelry will always be in style.
Here I am slicing up the artisan bread I just spent five hours creating, with the help of a creative friend. Every time I go into my studio to create a ceramic or calligraphy piece, it seems to take much longer and be more involved than I originally thought.This art seems to be the same.
I like the thought that what I eat is healthy and fresh. I must confess I grew up on wonder bread. As a kid, I never had spaghetti that didn't come out of a can. Pepper was an exotic spice that I started using when I was on my own. So you can see, this is more foreign than loading my kiln or teaching students how to hold their pen.
The term artisan refers to a handmade loaf that has an original shape.Often it is round or oblong, with lots of crust. This one is full of nuts and seeds and organic wheat flour. Before it goes in the oven, the chef scores the loaf with a sharp knife. It's like a signature on your work.
While playing with the sticky dough, shaping it with my hands until the consistency was just right, it felt a bit like wedging my clay. Each step must be done in a precise order to get desired results. There has to be time to let the yeast rise. In ceramics, if you rush it, there is a chance of breakage. It is all about the final result.
I don't think it is a mistake that the word "art "appears in artisan bread.
Selling your art is a challenging proposition. Sometimes the artist can talk with a potential customer and make a difference. Often, the customer has definite preferences and nothing will affect their buying decision.
I just sold a piece in this style today. It is part of my Abstraction series named Dimensions II.
It measures about 14" across. Displayed on a wall, it has a foot, and thus can stand on a table.The buyer indicated she will use it. That's fine. All my glazes are lead free and food safe.
I do enjoy creating in an abstract style, using the clay as my canvas. This piece connected to something inside the viewer. They wanted to own it, enjoy it, and look at it every day. Artistically, we are on the same page.My vision connected with theirs.This is the best part of selling your art.
