Myths unravelled

Self-Portrait as a VanGogh, currently at Amaco in Indianapolis. This was a demonstration piece, but I enjoyed the color work.

As part of my thematic investigation I have been contemplating stories I like, and considering their themes. For example, Shantaram, which I finished a few weeks ago, is a wonderful and meandering story, but in the end I would say it is about revelation and forgiveness. I am also rereading some Joseph Campbell, and his analysis of folklore and mythology.

Life is a journey, but the places we have been are just as important as the places we are going. Unfortunately, the maps are all places well travelled, and an artist needs to pioneer new territory, personal territory. This is difficult for me, as some of my revelations are uncomfortable for me to even write, let alone make visual art about. I'll take VanGogh's example today and let myself be sensitive.

Recovery and Redemption

I really enjoyed my two days at the Clay Expressions Conference last week, I hung out, I chatted, and I watched. I sat in on the workshops by Rimas Vis Girda, Randy Schmidt, Paul Wandless, Melisa Cadell and Richard Zakin. Although I have done the clay transfer / monoprinting process before, that Paul was demonstrating, doing it with the group at the conference made me rexamine the process and what possibilites it holds for me.

My biggest realization though was that my work has been lacking a unified theme for quite some time. I have drifted through different expressive avenues without a sense of an underlying theme or purpose behind the work. So, although my newer work may have appeared similar to older work, it was becoming lifeless. Why did this realization take me two years? Maybe the lack of dreaming time that comes with looking after a small child full-time, or the sleep-deprivation, or my own over-confidence. So bear with me while I rummage around in the attic of my brain, and start making some new connections. (Can I get hip coordinating new color storage systems for my brain?)

In the meantime, while I was at Amaco on Monday (being photographed with the green modeling clay. I am a spokesmodel?) I finally got around to taking my own pics of the demo pieces on display there. This one is my self-portrait as a William Blake.

Clay Expressions

I have spent today at the Clay Expressions conference in Indianapolis, had a great time, and am now wondering, why is it I never see any ceramic blogs? Knitting blogs are everywhere, you can't surf the net without tripping over the danged things (much like a yarn stash, I suspect) but I have managed to miss any ceramic blogs lurking on the edges. My paltry attempts to find such things have come up with nothing, just a couple of people who like clay but don't really blog it. Hmmm.....

Tomorrow I will have pics of the conference to share, maybe even a pic of my own hands on project. I had a great time, have some ideas for tiles ...

Man

Man (2003) 21" high, ceramic. $900. includes shipping in the continental US. This piece is constructed using a combination of handbuilding (slab and coil) and slip-casting techniques. the entire form is handbuilt, including the head, then a head and other parts, are cast with very thin ceramic slip in a mold, and applied on top of the handbuilt head while the slip-cast form is still wet. The whole piece is then fired and glazed.

Dragonfly Platter

Dragonfly Platter with Rutile glaze. $80. High fire ceramic, dishwasher safe, lead-free, appx 16" long.

Large Horse in Progress

This piece is now up to the poll (behind the ears) and is 30" tall. After firing, with ears, it should be about 28" high.

Introduction

Almost all the artists I know have websites, but I'm too lazy. So instead I am starting a blog. This site is where I will post images of my current projects, art which is available for sale or rent, and updates of what I am doing professionally. I can be contacted through the comments section of the blog or by email. Thank you for visiting.