getting started- clay- gradschool- life...

New Blog

2009-12-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

I might create more blogs than I can handle, especially when school resumes. However, I have started a new one for my health and please follow if you are interested. It can be linked from my profile. I'd love to share and compare tips for veggie, green, and gluten free and so on, living, since I am embarking on this journey for medical and ethical reasons. Although this is a path I'd like to take and share, I hope to not alienate people who may not want to adjust to this lifestyle by any means, but may find they'd like to share their own or take some of the advice for whatever health benefits they're aiming for.

I will get back to this blog, and try to atleast post some pics of my first year work and those kiln building pics I promised. However, for the time being, I am stuck ill and away from my personal computer that can do all of those things. I have begun to take up knitting and love it. It's also nice for the time being, because it allows me to be active while laying propped up, until I get well again.

For the few readers I have- thank you and I hope all is well and you are enjoying the holiday season and your chosen celebrations.
Cheers:)

sickly-poo

2009-11-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

My apologies, I have never had a chance to post the kiln pictures. I've been really sick this entire fall and am still undergoing treatments, tests, you name it. When I get back into regular humanoid functioning, I will make sure to do this and post my work...finally! I hope everyone's having a great season and are looking forward to the holidays! Cheers")

Finalmente!

2009-08-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

We have built the first layer of our new wood, salt kiln! It's a beauty- I have to look at it with proud momma eyes! As soon as I work the kinks out of my cameras, I will begin posting our process and progress! I hope the kinks get out soon, b/c classes are starting back up.....ehhh. I may link a new blog to it. Cheers!

I'm on a kiln!

2009-04-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

Soooo- this semester I've the the arduous yet exhilarating task of building in a kiln- a task I put myself up to. I have absolutely loved it so much, that I don't want to go back into a studio. I've been building in the (Vatagama) Anagama Mike Vatalaro and students built. although I wish I was there at the time- we've been so lucky that we will be capable of having a similar-ish experience this summer building an addition- which will be designed by all of us and built to the likewise- which will be salt-wood-kiln....sweeeeet. Anywhoo- we are firing up now, a student/teach only kiln just before heading off to NCECA- hopefully upon return, we will open it up to some sweet surprises! I'm going to post building images and then finished....ehhh...that's a huge hope! HA! We'll see soon- cheers!")

time time time

2009-03-22T19:38:00.001-07:00

see what's become of me, when i look around blah blah possibilities.....Ah! the Bangles said it so well! So, I have not felt up to posting...to my absent little blog. From being busy with school, physically, emotionally and mentally drained and seeming to have another straight year of muck- I am a stinker. I need a big fat break! So, eventually I will post work...blah blah blah...off into the void")

late fall 2007- beginning inspiration for future directions

2008-11-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

Go Vote!")

2008-11-04T08:09:00.000-08:00

Through my invisa-blog i am hoping to send "go vote" messages out to the world. I must say, I have never been so worried about the outcome of an election. Despite not being incredibly fond of either candidate, I am terrified of what may happen to the idea of America if McCain/Palin were to get into office.

Although I personally choose to have faith in God, I do not believe it is in our country's best interest to turn into a coinciding church and state government. In fact, it is completely against what our country is founded on- we are supposed to keep church and state separate. I don't believe anyone has the right to enforce their religious values upon another citizen. We certainly should not have the right to enforce singularly Christian values into law. All people should be supported and their rights protected by the government, not confined or chastised.

Additionally, I am scared of women's rights of choice, gay rights, and/or civil liberties being taken away. I am horrified of how long we might remain in war with McCain. Also, I believe Obama will improve our international relations, peace, environment, and education.

Hopefully, whatever the outcome, our country will improve, and fortunately it atleast seems the economy will improve regardless.

*If this blog is read and outrages anyone and/or causes a political/ religious/ any argument to be commented here, please don't waste our time. I will not respond to anger and you aren't going to change my mind at this point- I also all ready voted. I am not blogging to be the recipient of hate or send it out ( I am not about that)- readers: agree to disagree if I anger you, wipe the slate and move on.

fawlkie talkie

2008-10-28T21:10:00.001-07:00

sending this into the void.........esp. b/c none of my friends know i have this thing, yet"}..... does the frustration ever cease? it's so difficult to communicate with people sometimes when they don't understand what it's like to have a learning disability. tonight...again..during class, right in the middle of beginning to talk, as soon as i opened my mouth, the words raced through at a millisecond's speed and everything was past and disappeared. i then had no idea what i was going to say and had to express that after everyone was staring at me. it is mortifying that this persists over the years. i've become used to it, but sometimes it bothers me worse than others. i try to place things into perspective and in reality, so many others have more struggles, so i am thankful that it is not as bad as it could be. however, it is difficult. i guess it makes it more difficult when people think of me as a regularly functioning human-being and tease about me being the space cadet, when in reality, i have a legitimate problem. ...and i have a really good sense of humor and am easy to laugh at myself, but after three decades of the same taunt and misunderstandings.....the bloom is off the rose. *sigh* ohwell, what can you do. move on, move forward.......

gotta love'm didgies

2008-10-26T19:23:00.001-07:00

this makes me smile every time"} *gish**gish*

attempting to break new ground- clay in a contemporary world

2008-10-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Breaking new ground as an artist is not an easy task, especially when every idea has been done and the only originality lays between our fingertips. Also, it does not help when clay in the contemporary world most often equals craft only. Being a ceramic sculptor and sometimes utilitarian clay artist, I have difficulty seeing various clay works not being breathing works of art. The whole craft underdog sentiment with the upturned noses from the "real" contemporary artists does not impress or move me. One would think all artists would be the ones capable of seeing the artistic merit in those labeled as craft artists.

Often I struggle with the notion that slap and go artists, who throw fancy around their concepts to an art work that is not even well-crafted or compositionally successful, demonstrate the divide the most. Somehow the art elite would rather celebrate the easy edge of pretension and pretending instead of those who take all steps in the creative process with the purest intentions. Although, I do not support this harsh critical eye towards craftspeople, I do not intend to further alienate us or our material preferences- I wish we would all step back and support each other.

When attempting to make your individual mark in the art world, it is more difficult when the cards are stacked against you before you begin from medium alone. Then when the trials and errors come from how you decide to tackle your vision, it's an entirely new fiasco.

However, this is where I see the adventure in being a clay artist. How do you express yourself and your fresh viewpoint of tired ideas successfully? To be continued......