Oct.2,2010

"test bowls" in the kiln.....

two large paintings.. going well....

seminar class with dr.wellman....love the class....ALOT of work!
I feel like I'm trying to play 'catchup'.














*laughing* at the stupidity of the simple minded primates!

Sept. 21, 2010

Where did the day go......one moment it is early morning and the next thing I know it's 9 pm.


I realized today that art, in so many levels, is starting to have a strong presence within my life. Its become something more than just an assignment....or developing technique (although I think one can never have enough in that area). I get excited when I see a fellow artist become excited talking about their own art or giving advice to another artist. The crit. we just had was an example of this. So much brain power in one little area... you could just feel the energy. It was a good day again at the studio.

Sept. 18, 2010

Epiphany.

A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.

A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.

A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization.


Today was a good day in the studio.

Holy crap Malcolm was right all along. But I won't tell him that..... his head is big enough now as it is.

Kiln firing right now....

Life is good.

Sept. 1, 2010

Why is it that I am always a little apprehensive when walking into a ceramic grad class. Yesterday was no different. I realize that I do not have the wealth of knowledge that most have in the grad class, but I do have a deep passion for the medium. So it brings me to the question of, " Is passion enough?" My immediate answer is, sure, why not?! But then I go back and looked at my teaching philosophy that I did for Linda's class, and I see that I was sure of two things. Play is necessary in developing a body of work, no matter the type of medium, and having a strong foundation is imperative. Though my foundation in ceramics is growing, it's fragile for lack of a better word. So, do I rely purely on play?

I am excited that Lee has given us the ability to try something we wouldn't normally do in our own ceramics. In my painting world, "trying something" that is so far away from what we are working on is a HUGE N0-No! So I am looking forward to it. My mind races to the possibilities of things I want to try! So, I guess that is a good thing!

Aug. 8, 2010

Back in the studio again. I've been painting everyday. Feels really good .......I am looking forward to gettin' into the ceramic studio again. I want to throw about 12 dish/sm.platter and try and paint on them like was suggested to me. I'd like to have them done before sememster begins.......Mon. afternoon is the plan to start those.

Paintings are going well. I'm done with the 25 for the show. I have several others started. All three are larger and are close to being finished.

July 30, 2010

Away from the studios for too long. Hate it. I don't know how to be truly selfish and just do what I want to do (work on my art). Any one know how to deal better with this?

june 9, 2010

Back in the studios again..... I was finally able to throw some stuff over the weekend....it's funny how fast you get "rusty" after being away from it for a couple of weeks....it's nice being able to work in a clean....*cough* cleaner environment. I'm trying to get a bunch of bowls and platters done for an upcoming sale....like everyone else...money is tight....need supplies....

Today I'm painting....I'll be painting much of the week. I have a few odds n ends to tie up in a few of my paintings....but I'm calling most "done!" This summer session with Geoff Beadle was AWESOME! I was able to get alot of time from him...I learned so much. It was well worth the long hours of painting.

May 25, 2010

Another great day in my painting studio! It feels good to be able to paint so much.

I haven't had a chance to work on ceramics....although I am refiring a kiln ...so...not all is lost.

I'd love to spend about a week straight in the ceramic studio....see how that feels....*note to self....make that happen!

May 18, 2010

I've started the first session of summer painting classes with Geoff Beadle. My head hurts already. Getting back into the studio after being away for those 10 days or so is/was....a disruption that I didn't like. It seems to me that I have the personality that I have to do something almost everyday....otherwise I will find something else to do or do nothing. I prefer doing something. Geoff has asked me some really good questions to get my mind going. I've chosen 9 paintings to rework for this entire painting session. I really want to develop my surfaces further. As for ceramics...I'm missing it. I think this weekend when I'm not painting I'll come in to the ceramic studio and work.

April 25, 2010

It is upon us...the end of the semester. On my drive home from the studio the other night the reoccurring question popped back into my head, "what is art?"

So I started to wonder if anyone else has rethought this over-asked, but necessary question, and if their once original statement earlier on in the semester, has now changed.

I know mine has, perhaps even taken a slight step backwards?

I spoke with a member of my committee about his thoughts on why as artists we do what we do. He spoke of a famous artist who spoke often about this phenomenon of continuing to press forward as an artist, even if we fail. He said, that we see visually in our heads how we want a piece or even our art to look, so we chase after it, always striving to obtain that image in our heads and have our works of art match that image. Sometimes we get very close, but we never quit have it "right." So we chase after that image or body of work, some for a while, others for the rest of their lives.

Picasso was the artist that spoke often about this phenomenon, I think what he said holds alot of validity.
The chase is on!

April 13, 2010

Sometimes it's not "easy" to create or be creative everyday. For the past several months I have been in one studio or the other almost everyday and every weekend. Long hours early on in the semester have really paid off for my paintings. With the ceramics end of it....not nearly as much as I would liked to have been able to work in the studio. I made a commitment with myself that if I allowed myself to take ceramics I needed to be stern in regards to my time spent in my painting studio vs the clay studio. I've kept that commitment. Today I am tired...and I really do not feel like being productive. While watching an Art 21 episode....Susan Rothenburgh, who is a painter, said "I do something everyday in my studio... every day, even if it is one brush stroke, at least I will know I did something today." Note to self: make one brush stoke on a painting today. Maybe it'll lead to another and then another.....and before you know it, a painting will be completed, or on its way to being "done." I'm still tired.

April 12, 2010

I, with the help of a few, fired off the baby kiln. First the top was too hot ...then the bottom was too cold....then visa versa....then I was in reduction when I was not supposed to be in reduction....and on and on it went. I came to the conclusion that firing a kiln is kinda like having giving birth to a child....its alot of pain in the process and you question why you are doing it, but the end result is worth it! Opening up that kiln, even if some of the pots were not a "success," has to be the best thing in the world! I am addicted, but I already knew that!

So I'm stuck behind a desk working at my "job"... hating every second of it... wishing I was at one studio or the other....really working! To me this is mindless....it may be necessary... but it's mindless.

March 31, 2010

El Sucko on my presentation.....

dont know what was wrong with me....I really had a stronger presentation that that. *sigh* Pushing through it... live, learn, move on.

Had a great committee meeting with my painting department. Really good support...really great conversation about my work. Great ideas moving forward. All good stuff.

I'm excited about being able to work today while everyone is away in Philly. Good time to get working.

March 28, 2010

working on my forms in ceramics .......thinking about containers.... something that "holds" a memory...something that relates to the images I paint on the outside. I really want to make more "interesting" more "complicated" forms... I don't know what that looks like right now. I'm intrigued by a box like form....trying to break away from the cylinders or the traditional forms. I like skewed forms too... I just don't know how to make them, yet. I've been playing with it etc. the past two days.... now its time to go back to my painting studio. I've been wanting to push my concept within my paintings even further. I know what I want them to look like ....I just don't know how to execute it .....talking about it I know is not going to get any progress done. I just need to do it. Why do I hesitate so much? I don't like that quality in myself. *sigh*

March 16, 2010

Yesterday was Christmas time when I opened the kiln!!!!

I LOVE....did I mention... I LOVE how the glazes worked!!!!

My forms need work for sure.... I need to add more colors to my glaze palette.... but I love the value structure that I was able to obtain with every stroke of the brush. The glazes I'm using work very much like watercolors.

It was a good day indeed.

March 13, 2010

We went to the Albright Knox last night....Fridays are free. I am always amazed and mesmerized by the amount of talent and creativity that I acquire when I go to a museum. First, I am always inspired by the concepts that each artist is trying to convey. There is a story behind every piece. If the art could talk....Second, I always wonder if we didn't have museums where would all this art be/go?
In regards to the art talking, I know in my own body of work it would have so much to say. Each painting .....each piece of ceramics is a piece of me. I always new I was giving of myself each time I created something....I never new just how much. This series of 25 paintings made me dig deeper into my phyche than I was ever willing to allow someone to see. It is "easier" to paint myself nude than paint these memories of my brothers death. These last two I just "finished" came so easy that it scared me, which led me to ask the questiong.....Does a painting or any other art piece have to be difficult in the creation process to be "good" or relevant? I sit here and look at them and quickly answer, "No!"

March 12, 2010

So far so good! Another kiln being fired right now....if all continues to go well, my plan of being "done" this mon. will come true.

I'm in my painting studio right now working....I missed my paintings. I'm excited to work....*singing* .... we'll have a barrel of fun!

March 10, 2010

I feel like I work and work and get nothing done. Well, not nothing....but just not a lot. I haven't touched my paintings in over a week. I've been working on my ceramics everyday and thinking about my work. If all goes well...I will have pieces painted on for monday. *crossing fingers* *singing* roll out the barrel......will have a barrel of fun.....

Feb. 27, 2010

Multiple pieces in elec. kiln.

Glazes will be mixed tomorrow.

Then the process of "painting" .......... very apprehensive about this....on a canvas I can predict what will happen etc. Painting on pots ......This is flying blind for me, but I know I have to jump.

I threw a set of 5 pasta bowls that my mother has been buggin' me about for weeks now. A large platter that I want to revisit "darting" the center and making it an oval. I didn't have much success the last several times I tried it a couple of semesters ago. Hopefully, the clay gods will be less fickle with me now. Perhaps they like polka music like the painting gods do?

I'm in my painting studio now.... finish up the next four paintings in my series of 25. Let's see... I have 16 of 25 done. I'm pretty proud of myself. I like the progress I am making. The subject/memory is really difficult to revisit each time I am painting them....but necessary. The concept of something horrific and beautiful at the same time is so VERY intriguing to me. Sick and twisted perhaps ? Dunno.

Feb. 25, 2010

Thurs: 4 new paintings started! Work all day/eve. to get them done and rework/finish the other three.
All pots painted on with underglaze pencils and ready to refire!

Tomorrow, mix glazes....throw like a mad women.....and get going with this idea to paint on pots....where will it take me? hmmmmmmmmm......

Feb. 21, 2010

Life seems to be getting in the way of producing art. I struggle with being selfish and doing the right thing. Doing the right thing ALWAYS wins out when it comes to my family. I have just spent the entire weekend in Cleveland with my mother at the hospital. Inspiration abounds and no work can be done except for the million of thoughts that run through my head. Some develop... others drop away ....I have my sketch book in hand most of the weekend. It's odd that most of the things that are in my book are words...my thoughts. Another concept I'd like to work into my art.....

Feb. 16, 2010

charles demuth, My Egypt, oil on canvas
His paintings are a thought to translate into my pottery.

Feb. 12, 2010

Did you ever have a great idea that you want to translate and you just don't know how? You know how you want it to look....you just don't know how to start....

I'm sitting looking at a toned canvas...it's mocking me! I shall overcome and paint you into submission! (I think the paint fumes from the studio are getting to me!)

Feb. 11, 2010

I found this interesting.....especially the different meanings of play; look towards the middle to end of the list, those are the definitions that I find most thought provoking.

Definition of PLAY

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English plega; akin to Old English plegan to play, Middle Dutch pleyen
Date: before 12th century
1 a : swordplay b archaic : game, sport c : the conduct, course, or action of a game d : a particular act or maneuver in a game: as (1) : the action during an attempt to advance the ball in football (2) : the action in which a player is put out in baseball e : the action in which cards are played after bidding in a card game f : the moving of a piece in a board game (as chess) g : one's turn in a game
2 a obsolete : sexual intercourse b : amorous flirtation : dalliance
3 a : recreational activity; especially : the spontaneous activity of children b : absence of serious or harmful intent : jest c : the act or an instance of playing on words or speech sounds d : gaming, gambling
4 a (1) : an act, way, or manner of proceeding : maneuver (2) : deal, venture b (1) : the state of being active, operative, or relevant (2) : brisk, fitful, or light movement (3) : free or unimpeded motion (as of a part of a machine); also : the length or measure of such motion (4) : scope or opportunity for action (5) : a function of an electronic device that causes a recording to play
5 : emphasis or publicity especially in the news media
6 : a move or series of moves calculated to arouse friendly feelings —usually used with make
7 a : the stage representation of an action or story b : a dramatic composition : drama

synonyms see fun

— in play : in condition or position to be legitimately played

— out of play : not in play

Feb. 9, 2010

Sitting in the painting studio.. thinking about ceramics....when I'm in the ceramic studio ....I'm thinking of painting..... why does it seem we always want what we can't have at that particular moment.....

I need to mix glazes.....

I need to quit being afraid ..... and just paint on those damn pots!

Feb. 5, 2010

5 paintings DONE! DONE! I'm excited.....I feel that these are the first real paintings that I have made since I took my first painting 1 class. Its pretty cool that all of the knowledge that one learns as an undergrad seeps into your work without really having to think about it....it becomes automatic. I will pay my respects to the painting Gods by playing the ever desired music of the painting Gods...a good ol' polka....



Sunday ceramic studio! I found an artist I like that is painting on pots....here is an image of a pot by Zao Wou Ki

Feb. 5, 2010

In my painting studio.

I'm here from 8 am till 9:30 pm. PM!

I am determined to understand in greater depth my paintings....what does that mean you ask?

I dunno, I would feverishly reply! I know I like the colors I am recalling....the colors are driving my images. I however, do not think that the brush work that I am creating is best for recalling the angst that this series is about. We will see what happens hours from now.....I bet I get pissed off and walk away from it and go to the ceramic studio and create there! I'll update when I feel the onset of insanity from not only the inability to get my concept across in my paintings, but the unpleasant fumes that I will have breathed in for hours at a time!

Feb. 4, 2010

Welllllll.....

I fired a bisque to cone 6 instead of 06. Can you say ....clueless! I have a kiln going right now... 06! Feeling overwhelmed about my glazes and what I am going to do and how I am going to do them. I guess this will be the semester of try try again!

I am (for the 9th time) trying to make a casserole where I throw a ring and then place it on a slab. I have not had much success with trying this. So I thought I would slow down and let them both "rest" before I attempt to move the "ring" to the slab. We'll see if that helps....dunno.....

Feb. 2,2010

Great day in the painting studio.....Feel excited, but apprehensive. I love the push pull of my work. I have a long way to go to get to where I want my paintings to be, but I took a step today. Tomorrow, ceramics! I started painting/drawing on my pots last night. I found some of my old drawings that I think I would like to incoporate into my pottery.

Jan. 31.2010

Fired a kiln! Success! No breakage. Now the "fun" part of painting on my stuff! *note to self* remember to take them home to work on them!

In painting studio now.....reworked a paintings.... no such luck at it being successful! the 'idea' is good... the paint application is not. I will revist this one again soon.

Jan. 29, 2010

In the painting studio. I started off getting here early. There is alot of bs you have to "do" before one can even start to begin to be creative. Cut the stretches, stretch the canvas, gesso the canvas, sand, gesso, sand, gesso, dry time in between each 15-20 min, apply first oil coat, let dry, then after all of that ....still be "inspired" to paint the original idea that set you out in the first place to build that canvas stretcher...... and "they" say being an artist is easy.

I reworked and finished a painting for a submission to a show in New York. *crossing fingers* I sent 6 pieces in. Lets hope one makes it! I have mixed emotions about sending work out to be judged etc. but I guess we all have to do it to get recognized and hopefully sell some of our pieces.

Oh well.... off to paint.... tomorrow clay studio....sunday painting studio. I really need to fire a kiln tomorrow. *note to self* sign up for a bisque fire.

Jan. 28, 2010

Productive day this morning in the ceramic studio! Clay was alittle wet.. my new heat gun worked great! made 3 pretty large bowls/platters. I can't wait to start painting on them. I just realized that the objects I make are very much like a blank canvas for me.

What I hate the most is trying to cover the things I make with plastic....I always seem to nick or dent one thing or another while trying to cover things....I REALLY hate that!

I'm off to paint in my studio....I ran home to get the canvases I stretched and gessoed last night. Three more to gesso tonight when I get home.

jan. 26, 2010

In my painting studio....looking at my paintings and really liking where they are headed....colors are intense in this series....which fits my concept and tells my memory/story. The question is..."Can you paint 100 more paintings about this memory with the same concept?" I think I could....and that excites me.
I though a lot about my conversation with Linda last night in regards to my plan for the semester. I made the comment that my paintings and ceramics seem to be disconnected. They don't look the same. I regret saying that, because I think that even if they don't "look the same," they really do relate. They do in a much more philosophical way. I have been exploring via my thought process how I have lived my life by such extremes, and how to bring that idea into my paintings. Married/divorced/rich/poor/skinny/fat/happy/sad/good/bad/right/wrong. etc etc. And though I know that there are many shades of grey in between....I seem to have lived my life with these extremes. So, my paintings are 'the shouting out loud side' and my ceramics (as for right now) are my 'quiet side.'

jan 25,2010

Here are some ceramic sites I'm looking at....

http://www.silviegranatelli.com/index.html

http://www.fongchoo.com/

Jan. 23,2010

Productive day in the studio. Trimmed all my pottery and threw several more! I'm having trouble trimming a bit.....I had troubles with it last time too....Tomorrow is work in my painting studio.

January 22, 2010

As great as technology is....it is definitely a distraction! working in my painting studio today...ceramic sat. painting sun. Trying to find a balance....so far so good....

January 21,2010

Working on three paintings at once in my studio.....curious to see where they will go since I'm so pissed off. I like that outside "influences" effect how my paintings come out being that I am really trying to push the concept of color and emotions. Here are some artist that I am currently looking at.......

http://www.virginiamiller.com/artists/LindaTouby/LindaTouby.html

http://www.nga.gov/feature/rothko/

http://www.mfa.org/hopper/

Too many distractions in the studio this a.m. I did have a great convo with a fellow artist. (It Lit a fire that had previously been just a bunch of very hot coals. )

I did manage to create three vessels. However, I seem to always get an airbubble when I am centering my clay...no matter how much I wedge.

My objects are being made with more thought going into how well they are being made. I've been paying more attention to my old bowls/cups/plates etc. and thinking about what I like and dislike about them, and then bringing that knowledge into the studio.

Spring 2010 Ceramic Seminar L.Cordell

Anxious and excited about bringing the two things I love to do together....painting and ceramics! Let's just hope it works!