Waxing and Wiping and Rollerblades Oh My!

It has been a busy few weeks full of tons of activity both at the college and away.  There is so much to share, I probably should have done multiple posts.  Alas, I'll try to be brief.  Message me if you want more information about any of the things I've posted about.

First up, I spent a great weekend in late September in Edmonton at Clayworks Studio Link. They hosted a fantastic hands-on workshop with Austin Texas artist (and comedian) Ryan McKerley.



Ryan uses a technique called water carving where he paints a pattern onto a bone dry pot with hot parafin wax (Gulf wax in the US) which acts as a resist.  He then washes away the clay around it with a sponge and lots of water which leaves a raised surface where the wax is.

     

He was right when he said he makes it look very easy.  After 3 tries I finally had some successful pieces.

The following weekend (October 3 - 5) was spent at the Alberta College of Art and Design where the annual 1,000 Miles Apart conference was being held.  I got to see Ryan McKerley in action once again as well as Kansas City artist Steven Gorman. 

  

Ryan demonstrated his brand new spray paint technique.  One of our RDC students, Chase, was the lucky volunteer assistant.

And so, returning to Red Deer, I  had to try my hand at this.  Instead of using a gloss, I tried using some florescent spray paint I found in the sculpture studio. This left an interesting residue on the piece at the bisque phase as pictured below.  I will see if this remains after firing in reduction with an amber celadon on it.

 

This week Trudy demonstrated a technique for throwing large pots with a tool made with Roller Blade wheels.

  

I started the process by throwing a base that had 1/2 inch thick wall on it on a plaster bat. We then added thick extruded coils one at a time and used the tool to compress and "throw" the coil onto the pot.  I have a video but it isn't working.  Darn.  And here's the final pot!  I threw one of the coils and then then finished by throwing a rim.  

My next clay adventure ... the zoomorphic vessel!

Bowled Over

Next week I will be giving a demonstration on throwing bowls to the second year Ceramics students so I thought I would throw a few bowl styles to have trimmed and finished so they can see where it starts wet and where it can end up after altering, trimming and finishing.  Here are a couple I made today.  I also made a rimmed bowl and what I call a tulip bowl.

To make this style I made a simple upright bowl. I then cut out a section, textured it and re-added it to the bowl.  I altered the rim and pressed it in.   I think next time I will make a more obvious shape for the cut out similar to the cups I made last weekend which I will post as well.  This bowl was made with Coleman Porcelain, Cone 10.

I then took some Plainsman H440 and threw a similar bowl.  I made small balls of the Coleman Porcelain and attached them in a regular pattern.

I then pressed into those balls of clay with the end of a wood skewer and here are the results - a quilted look with contrasting clays.

  

Transferring a Pattern or Text to Clay and Soft Slab Construction

I learned a little tip this week - how to transfer a pattern, text or image to clay from paper.  This was originally shown to me as a way of transferring text to clay to make a "chop" so that the text is backwards, but I used this method to transfer a pattern I drew on newsprint to a rolled slab to make a hand-built spout for a soft slab vessel I made today.  First you draw out your pattern or text onto newsprint or other paper.  Trace over the design with a non-permanent Staedtler marker.  Then place the paper face down on your clay, rub over the surface where the line is and ta da ... the image or text is transfered!  I had a video but I cannot seem to post it.

Here is the final soft slab pot I created.  the body shape was inspired by a Margaret Bohls teapot. Check out this link for instructions on how to make her teapot on Ceramic Arts Daily.  http://ceramicartsdaily.org/pottery-making-techniques/handbuilding-techniques/drawing-in-space-how-to-handbuild-an-expressive-teapot-set-using-soft-slabs/

The body was made with an oval slab and 4 triangle shapes were cut from the top and then the pieces attached to each other, narrowing the top and creating pointed darts in four sections.

I added a textured section on the top, a hand-built spout I made from a paper pattern roughly the shape of a whale tail (also inspired by Margaret Bohl's teapot), and finally a curled handle and  feet to lift it off the table.  A little bit more texture and lines and it was complete.

Not bad considering I was going to give up after I completed the darting!

Red Deer Residency

It's been a long time since I posted but I hope to improve as I embark on a new journey in clay... My Red Deer Residency.

I've moved across the country to Red Deer Alberta where I've taken a post as the Ceramics Technician at Red Deer College in the Visual Arts department.  I have a fantastic state-of-the-art facility to work in as well as my own dedicated studio space to call my own. 

Red Deer College Throwing Room

Ceramics is headed up by Trudy Golley (www.alluvium.ca).

Aurora
Trudy Golley

I am looking forward to being inspired by Trudy, her work, and the many lectures and demonstrations she will give over the course of the next 9 months. I plan to do most, if not all of the projects she gives her classes as a way of trying out new techniques and new forms. 

Let the creative journey begin....

New City Church Chalice Set

I am thrilled to have completed a very special commission for a wonderful local church in Hamilton - New City Church http://www.newcity-church.com/ - which is led by Pastor Connan Kublick. I designed and carved a custom stamp based on an illustration by a local artist and produced a set of 4 chalices and 2 lidded wine pitchers in white porcelain. These pieces had their debut this past weekend. It was a great honour to be asked to produce this lovely set.

A New Year, New Work

Here we are in January once again and I am wondering where the fall went. When I last blogged I was proudy writing about my Throwing Bootcampers. I then headed off to Medalta International Artists in Residence (see http://www.medalta.org/miair/index.html) for an 11-day Salt and Soda firing workshop with Cathi Jefferson of BC. This was an amazing experience. Here are a couple of pics from that workshop.

The fall progressed with Studio Tours and Fall sales, Fair November and the Art Gallery of Hamilton Art Sale as well as a very busy holiday season at AllSorts Gallery, the new artist cooperative I was part of starting (see www.allsortsgallery.com). The year culminated with my Annual Holiday Open House and Pottery Sale which was a great success. The introduction of colour into my functional work was well received over the past year and I will continue to incorporate new designs.

So it is January and I am working on some very special commissions including communion chalices for a local church. I finished up the year with a commission for a layer dip set for the mother of a friend from University. As with all commissions it is great to stretch one's creativity that little extra bit and do something a little different! Until next time ...dip anyone?????

Throwing Boot Campers

Today was the last day for my Throwing Boot Camp course at the Burlington Art Centre. I put 9 willing students through the paces this week with the intent of improving their throwing skills over the span of 5 days. I am pleased to say that the didn't disappoint! It was amazing comparing the pieces thrown on day 1 to the ones thrown on day 5. The week consisted of tons of tons of throwing, many exercises including throwing blindfolded, being timed, throwing to collapse, repeating forms and so on. Everyone was a great sport and went along with all the things I asked from them - even the hour+ of wedging practice on day 2! They were a great group to work with and I loved every minute of it! My last act of torture was to have them throw 5lbs of clay ... which for many was more than they have ever done before (or for a long time). But they did it, with some fantastic results. I have to say that I was a proud mama seeing how much everyone had progressed - so rewarding for a teacher!


Athanasia and her 5lb bowl


Penny and her 5lb bowl


Penny`s Copy and Repeat Bowls!


Darryl with his Super Plate


Ruth and her 5lb Tulip Bowl


Maggie trimming her Deep Bowl


The room just before clean up on Day 5 - Darryl and M.A.

Thanks for a great week guys!

Summer Showing

Well, its that time again for the summer show season. It seems like all the shows are squished together in back to back sequence. Someone asked me at a studio tour why this is ... I didn't have a great answer other than that spring is the time when people start looking for handmade work for wedding gifts and the summer is just a good time for outdoor shows. This does make it difficult as an artist as many of the shows overlap and you have to make a decision on where to go. This past weekend for example was the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour (www.beyondthevalley.ca) where I am a guest at one of the studios (and participated in) and the Guelph Potters Market (www.thepottersmarket.ca) which is a great all pottery event that many of my contemporaries participate in that has a great vibe that I had to take a pass on.

This weekend I am heading to Ottawa for the New Art Festival - www.artinfoboy.org for information and listing of artists. This outdoor art festival in the Glebe district has been running for a number of years organized by a grassroots group of artists from Ottawa to showcase both local artists and other from Ontario and Quebec. It is a great mix of work in all media. As soon as my kiln cools enough to unload the last batch of work, I'll be hitting the road.



Here are a few photos from this past weekend's tour of some of my new colour pots that I will bringing to Ottawa:

Cappuccino Cups



Dip Bowls

McMaster Celebration of Research Excellence

Last Tuesday I was a guest at a special dinner at the new McMaster Innovation Park celebrating research excellence by McMaster University Researcher. This event was hosted by Mac President and Vice Chancellor Peter George and Mo Elbestawi, Vice President of Research and International Affairs. I was asked by the organizers to design and produce a special goblet for Peter George and wine cups for each of the researchers who were honoured that evening. It was a short deadline (less than 2 weeks) but I did it. I made 4 goblets (just in case) and over 70 wine cups. Each had an impression of a leaf symbolizing the renewal of the MIP site that I custom designed as well as an impression of a second leaf, the pattern of this one, taken from some wire mesh I obtained from the site during the demolition of the older factory buildings from the site. Each cup was made in white porcelain and had a coloured interior. This tied in to the theme of "from black and white to living colour". It was a fantastic and challenging project to take on.

An Exciting New Project

I am pleased to be part of an exciting new artist cooperative in Hamilton - AllSorts Gallery. This gallery will soon be opening in the Ottawa Street BIA at 244 Ottawa Street North in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Once known as the textile district, this area of the community is gaining a reputation as an art, retail and design destination for Hamilton and Toronto. We are currently looking for artists in all media who are interested in becoming members of this exciting new gallery and accessing a year-round retail sales outlet for their work. A public information session will be held on February 27th from 10am to 2pm at the Ottawa Street BIA - 204 Ottawa Street North. For more information or for an application please contact me at tara@allsortsgallery.com. Please also visit our website for more information - www.allsortsgallery.com. This website is new and will continue to be updated as time goes on.

Red Hot and Handmade for Your Loved One

I had fun making these special cappuccino cups that would be a great gift for Valentine's Day. They are white porcelain on the outide and a brilliant red on the inside. I also have one with a purple interior. They are available at Textures on Locke Street in Hamilton or directly from me.

Solo Exhibtion photos

Here are a few photos of my exhibition which is on right now until January 31st at the Carnegie Gallery in Dundas, Ontario.

Tara Lynne Franco: Urban Archaeology

As 2009 closes, I am in the process of finishing up new work for my first solo show which opens at the Carnegie Gallery in Dundas on January 8, 2010. This show titled "Urban Archaeology" looks at the history we are leaving behind us for future generations. The majority of this exhibition will be new work that delves into this theme I have been working on for the past 3 years.

Inspiration

Where does one find inspiration, where do ideas come from? These are questions I often get asked and I have difficulty answering without a long explanation of where my work began and where it has gone. Robert and I are presently on vacation in Geneva Switzerland visiting family members. What I love about visiting a new place is the ability to look around, observe, and be inspired by the natural and built environment. It can be something as simple as a sewer grate, a key hole, the texture of building, the organic patterning of a cobblestone walkway. This is the true value of vacation. While it often seems that there isn't enough "time" to get away, I always return home refreshed and inspired and ready to work on the next series. Robert and I have taken numerous photos that will be a well of inspiration for future pieces. If you are lucky, you may even get to see some great pots! We were fortunate to have been here during the exhibition Swiss Ceramics 1959-2009 which one third is being held at the Musee Ariana in Geneva. There we saw the work of Simone Stocker whose photo is here. The first thing I thought of when seeing her work is that it reminded me of one of the grates I observed on our way to the musuem. We also visited Carouge - just outside Geneva - which is known for the number of ceramic artists who have studios and reside there. There is a ceramic conference and festival that will be held here, when each gallery will host a ceramic exhibition, but not until later in September. Unfortunately we found many "ferme" notices on the doors. We did find one store open - CBOS a collectif d'artisans where we found some interesting slip cast and hand-built work of local swiss artisans. . One of my favourite things so far have been the clay tile roofs. We have taken muliple photos of these tiles including some at Chateau Chillon in Montreaux which we visited yesterday. This is a photo I found online that someone took at the Chateau. I love the variation in colour in the tiles, even the new ones.

Why I do commissions ...

Commissions ... the four letter word of the art world. Many fear them and many avoid them like the plague as they are believed to be wrought with difficulties. Not only do you have to design something new, but the person commissioning the work needs to be happy with the result. There have been numerous horror stories and urban myths about commissions gone wrong ... where countless hours were spent by the artist in designing and redesigning a piece and then finally making the piece and the person deciding not to purchase it in the end. If the artist did not get a deposit or arrange for a preliminary design fee, they may feel that they wasted their time. This fear prevents many from even considering doing this type of work, but I can tell you that my recent experiences with two commissions were positive ones. This year I decided to apply for and was accepted into the New Art Festival in Ottawa Ontario. This ended up being a great show for me, both in terms of sales and in exposure for my work. I had two visitors to my booth who wanted something a little different than what I had there. The first person wanted to know if I could make a specific type of orchid - the phalaenopsis orchid. I hadn't made one before but we agreed that I would try and this person sent me some photos and I went about making them. This was a challenge, but also a great experience as I would likely have not thought of making this flower had it not been suggested. The second person wanted a piece with spider chrysanthemums for a specific place in their home. They originally selected a style from my portfolio that I had made before which I had already sold, but then contacted me once I returned home, asked if I could make something different. A few simple sketches and a few emails later, I had a design that we were both happy with and I went about making them.

Today, just over a month later, I shipped both individuals their pieces after getting their final approval by sending them a photo of what I had made. So, this ended up being both a rewarding experience and a growth opportunity for me as an artist. So why did this work? I have a few thoughts on this first experience:

1) You need to be comfortable with, and trust the buyer. Use your instincts - do they seem like someone who is going to be good to work with?

2) Do something that is not too distant from what you are already doing. In my case the materials were the same, just the configurations and the flower were different.

3) Start as soon as possible. Don't delay or procrastinate

4) Keep in touch with the person. Email is great for this. Send sketches, photos etc.

5) Only do it if you feel you will also benefit from it. A growth opportunity.

6) Take a deposit - 50% of the estimated cost is a good idea. Let them know that you will ship the piece but they will need to cover the cost. Give them an estimate of what you think it will cost to ship it to your location

7) Make more than one. In my case I made about 5 orchids and this allowed me to have more for her to choose from. I was able to keep the rest and sell them. I made a second set of the spiders so that I could photograph it for my portfolio.

8) Bring your portfolio to shows, especially when there are things that you have made that you either are out of or cannot bring to the show - you never know what someone might order