Present, December 2013
Ayumi Horie is a Japanese ceramist living in Portland, Maine. Her signature style is putting these adorable animals on various pots, bowls, cups, etc. I find her work to be both fun and elegant with a quirky twist. This past holiday season, I open a present from Alex and behold my amazement when I find this pig bowl. An original Ayumi is now in my possession, sitting on my dining room table. And so the collection begins! I don’t think he knows what he got himself into…
I added a new page to my blog, titled In Bloom Series: Botanical Study. There are 15 images on the page, my most successful pieces. Above is Form #12, I also fondly call it Hairy. Let me know if you … Continue reading
I have finally completed my series In Bloom, a botanically based organic study. Through my ceramic journey, I have learned 3 lessons.
1. Never stop exploring the different possibilities. When you let go and run with an idea, outcomes emerge that you would have never expected, good and bad.
2. Asking for help is always acceptable, especially from professionals. For instructors, it is their calling in life to aid others, they want you to succeed. Also, another perspective on things won’t cause you to self destruct.
3. It is a valuable thing in life to know a good photographer. I have realized that sometimes, having good photographs of your work can actually make the work better. Photographers see things that your mind hasn’t trained itself to see yet. And they have amazing equipment that you didn’t know existed. The next best thing to having awesome photographer friends, is to sit in your house and read detailed photography blogs for hours.
For Example: http://potteryblog.com/category/how-to/photographing-pottery/
In Bloom is my beloved child, my first real step to exploring life. I’m a little sad it’s over, but this makes room for new projects.
I went on a 5 day binge with clay and made all my body would allow. It was freeing to not think about exactly what I was doing and letting my hands do all the work. I made about 7 … Continue reading
The newest installment in my plant inspired series “In Bloom” has been taken from images of sea life. These two pieces came from different aspects of sea grass, coral, and sea anemones. I wanted them to feel suspended, as if … Continue reading
CCAD
Columbus, Ohio 2013
I recently took my In Bloom series to the wheel, in an attempt to branch out and give my series a range and variety. I first made a curvy vessel, using about 5 pounds of clay. After a day of drying, I … Continue reading
These are my newest bowls I made for Alex. I finally invested in a pair of calipers so the bowls are all roughly the same size. It really makes a difference — such a better group than the ones I … Continue reading
It’s been about 4 months since I’ve even touched a potter’s wheel. I started working in the studio at CCAD last night and it feels wonderful to have a full facility available to me again. Don’t get me wrong, hand … Continue reading
Sitting by yourself in your studio staring at your work for hours is unproductive. It feels productive because you are trying to mentally work out certain issues you have encountered. At a certain point though, you start to doubt yourself … Continue reading
In My Own Little World 