Tag: San Diego

Clay and linoleum – an unlikely duo?

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Update from the studio… 

!. Glazing all day. 

2. Bisque firing what may be last load before Beadfest. 

3. Mopping up basement as its a monsoon out there. 

4. Waiting… to unload new goddesses from the ^10 reduction firing at the “work” studio!

And thinking of printmaking. 

My friend, fellow clay artist and AJE member Diana P. wrote a post this week regarding her foray into carving stamps. She is working with EZ carve – similar in consistency to white erasers. Its great to carve, but a little springy. Too soft for what she wanted to do in clay, but great fun nontheless. 

So I decided to share some linoleum I had carved, and stamped into clay. This is the economy “battleship” linoleum that I used to use when I taught art/printmaking as a public school teacher. Its shallow but very firm and worked well for my new dseries of icons. 

Lino pendants

Yin Yang and Om signs in clay – awaiting finishing.  

carving area

Here’s my carving area, complete with bench pin, and a few other “icons” in progress. This series I designed to keep simple and have the symbol itself be very clear and legible. I like the texture the carving leaves – as contrasted to the smooth background surface. These are going to be glazed in an array of colors… 

Fairy door tile

And one more example of linoleum and clay in tandem: this is a clay tile/print from a linoleum block I carved in San Diego. When I lived there I had an amazing artist/mentor in Sibyl Rubottom. This was from a printmaking and letterpress workshop I took at her studio, Bay Park Press. It was carved to print  and accompany text set in letterpress. And so I tested it in clay – was thrilled the depth was sufficient to give me a print to glaze. This was the test piece; I plan to do more for my fall shows. 

I am excited to be able to draw on the creative energy of that fruitful time – although I work in such different materials. I am glad the block carved 10 years ago and across the US can be reborn here, now. In many ways my series of “Mythic Nature” tiles and pendants are similar to a run of prints… but that philosophical musing will wait for another day. I have more to glaze…

 

The fire is SO delightful…

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The weather outside IS frightful – in the 30’s with wind chills in the teens at certain parts of the day. Blustery, breath-stealing wind gusts. And today – the fire was so delightful: 

kiln burner

Kiln

 

And to finish the song reference – Let is snow, Let it snow, Let it snow…

Now this kiln load is eagerly anticipated. (SPOILER ALERT if you are my sibling, or in-law!) I have many gifts inside, firing away to the neighborhood of 2400 degrees. I wont go into more detail, as I know some of my siblings read my blog. ( As well they should, ahem.) Since FaerieCOn, all thoughts have been geared toward the holidays. J and I are heading west, to Austin for the family festivities. We are driving – who doesnt love a road trip? And I can pack anything I want! since I dont have shipping concerns or airline restrictions. That helped inspire my gift-giving and gift-making this year! Now you get a sense why I havent posted too much lately? 

One thing I do want to share with you out there…

The Ceramics studio where I work and teach has an annual pottery sale. It is a diverse offering, featuring the work of novices, hobbists, experienced craftsepople and talented artists. ( I know that categorization treads on dangerous ground. Art vs. craft? What makes someone an artist?  Yadda Yadda Yadda. Thats another blog post, or a whole series.) There will be functional pottery, sculptural pottery, fused glass, jewelry, perhaps some fiber art. Diverse offerings, indeed. If you are in the area – please stop by: Monday to Wednesday, Dec 13-15 10am to 8pm, and Thursday, Dec 16, 10 am to 5 pm. It’s at the Art Studio, Ab Jones Bldg, 310 Kiamensi Rd, Wilmington DE 19804.

earrings in progress

packaging

These earrings are brand new, never before seen wee ceramic charms, with gemstones. The necklaces are simple, everyday pieces. Pendants and stones, as well. These will end up on Etsy sooner or later, if not this batch , then the next. They are fun to do…

This Sunday I also put together a box-o-treasures – ceramic pendants, that is…for the Shepherdess. I was thrilled to be invited to be a part of “Twas the Art before Christmas” open house/trunk show event this Friday. So if San Diego is where you call home – check it out. I am in amazing company there…


Respite

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1re·spite

Pronunciation: ?res-p?t also ri-?sp?t, British usually ?res-?p?t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English respit, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin respectus, from Latin, act of looking back
Date: 13th century

1 : a period of temporary delay
2 : an interval of rest or relief

koala

My trip to San Diego was great. There will be pictures soon, of class, and what I was working on. But the whole time was indeed a respite. A break from the routine of groceries, laundry, the day to day. Had a chance to visit with really good friends, and even a few furry ones.

elephantHave a little snack…

zebraposed for the camera..

meerkatand soaked up some sun! Wonderful trip! (uhh – then my camera battery died. So the rest of my zoo day was devoid of documentation… Oops!)

 

Packed… and ready to go

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Well, packing and getting ready to go…

This Friday my new pendants and connectors and buttons ( Oh my!) make their debut at the Shepherdess in San Diego. I am excited, and a bit nervous – hoping they are well received. And hoping they sell. There is that.

Hi Fire pendants

Those are some of the high fire pendants pieces ( ^10r for you clay people). I also did similar pieces low fire – colorful designs on a white clay body.

And dont forget the originals – the pieces inspired by my tiles, only on a miniature scale:

pendants in tray

And I am taking classes with Keith LoBue – stuffsmith, jeweler… I plan to blog during my trip, and I will definitely post images on my “Art of Jennifer Davies-Reazor” Facebook page. Become a fan! Stay tuned!

(PS – decided not to take the mini laptop. So I hope to blog, but will definitely be posting pictures on my FB “Art of…” page. So tune in!)

Happy Hour Trunk Show!

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pendants in a tray

Although my last post refered to the slow internal clock I have had of late, and the feelings of gradually waking up – one thing I have been working on is new small tiles, aka pendants. The colorful ones, shown above, you may have seen before. They debuted in September of 2009. I have improved upon these, and a few new designs I have scuplted and cast. Just waiting for the plaster molds to dry…

Then there are the new bits – this is the first batch. Fired to ^10 reduction, I wanted to test them, see the shrinkage first hand, etc before launching ahead. I am pleased with the results, yes?

hi fire

They are so different from the former – earthy and rustic, rich warm tones. I love them and cant wait to do the next batch.

These pendants charm and buttons are being created specially for a Trunk Show at the Shepherdess in San Diego. I am fortunate to fly west each spring to see my dear friend Cooky, the proprietor/head shepherdess. And to work with my friend, the ever inspiring Keith LoBue – during his annual workshop cycle here in the US.  

So this year, my trip will be two-fold! (March 19th is my trunk show – if you happen to be in Cali…) Off to the basement ceramics studio, coffee in hand, dog in tow… to make more stuff!