Winter Wall Hanging

Sewing is a pleasurable activity for me and I create projects periodically. Today I finished a wall hanging that explores the same theme as the nesting bowls and the Baby Prophet sculpture - core.

This wall hanging has canvas circles painted with watercolor. They are stuffed and sewn onto a background that is quilted and some areas are stuffed using a trapunto technique. Sewn in a path through the big circles are pearl buttons that have watercolor circles attached, leaving the shiny edges of the buttons showing. Lastly, some stones that I collected from summer vacations weight the bottom of the wall hanging and also reinforce the idea of core in a geological meaning.

I did both machine and hand sewing - a colorful January project worked on inside the warm house rather than the not so warm studio.

The Clay Studio/Philadelphia

There were other ceramics artists at The Clay Studio that I admired. I must admit, I liked everything, but some work, on that day, appealed to me more. On a different day, maybe others… I am an open vessel myself these days, filling myself with whatever creative substance I am given.

medium vase; Nicole Aquillano

medium vase, other side;  Nicole Aquillano

Her drawings on functional porcelain ware are of places -  anonymous bridges, houses, roads - all with this wonderful murky effect. She says they are autobiographical, significant to her. A little haunted feeling to them, I think.

orange garlic box, Sunshine Cobb

mint trasket; Sunshine Cobb

I like her slapped together, crude, yet confident forms and building techniques. The simple, rustic, matte  colors work well with them. too.

cylinder; Lauren Mabry

open cylinder; Lauren Mabry

Sculptures that are painted, or paintings that are sculpture? The pieces I saw are not small, not big, but a I would say, tabletop size. The closed cylinders have a mysterious feeling to them. What can the painted surface suggest about the contents inside?

Jeremy Randall

Jeremy Randall

These were delightful to me, though I don't think I am usually drawn to such industrial-looking work. It contains metal elements like rivets or staples, and the textures appear taken from industrial sources like grates and floor mats, that sort of thing. But the pieces have a lot of personality - note the tilt and sway of the pieces above - its like they're dancing. Very fun and very well executed. I see Jeremy is teaching down in Arrowmont School of Crafts this summer, along with David Eichelberger, my pick from the Philadelphia Craft Show.

My education in ceramics art is toddling along. Gradually, I am starting to recognize artists styles. Good winter work until I can get back in the studio.

Clay in Philly and Princeton

It is impossible for me not to buy something if I can get a real example of someone's work for a few bucks. My frugality melded with aestheticism chooses the piece.

At the Princeton Arts Council's annual Sauce for the Goose sale I picked up first a porcelain ear and then a suitably matched bowl by Stephanie Stoufer. The ear is just a fun object, but the bowl is really very handsome. I have it displayed at eye level where I think it shows its best feature - the organic scalloped sides.

I was in ceramic heaven at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia late in December. Many national and local ceramics artists all with distinctive styles had their work displayed in the first floor shop and gallery.

I walked through mouthing silent "Wows," impressed by the cohesiveness of the artists' work. I don't have such an easily recognizable style. That, as well as the impressive craftsmanship, caused me to feel a twinge of insecurity. Mostly however, I just enjoyed looking.

And buying two little pieces:

Posey Bacopolous, majolica "spoon rest" 

Justin Rothshank