Little Rook Ceramic Blog

First Craft Show Countdown

2011-04-24T17:41:00.001-03:00

Spring is here, birds are singing and a few brave flowers have poked their heads up. I am working away on final preparations for the Halifax Crafters Spring Fair. The work is pretty much done, well, on saleable products anyway... As for a booth to sell from, well that is a diffrent story.

There are a few ideas rolling around in my brain, most of which are large and elaborate things that I lack the time to complete / Would be so heavy the table would suffer structural failure / cost $$$$.

We'll get there one way or another though. I'm not too worried, the basic expenses for the show are pretty minimal so, hoping for a little bit of profit anyways.

If you happen to be in Halifax, NS on Saturday April 30th or Sunday May 1st please do stop by the Olympic Centre on Hunter and Cunard between 11 and 6, there is no charge to get in, and plenty of lovely people will have beautiful crafts for sale.

Craft Show Preparations

2011-03-11T22:34:00.000-04:00

I've been accepted to the Halifax Crafters Spring Show! Yay! If you happen to be in Halifax Nova Scotia on April 30th or May 1st please stop by and say hello.

This will be my first craft show, and I'm excited / nervous about it. So many things to do, to make, to organize... I know it will be fun and exhausting, I hope that it might be profitable as well. I have a bit of a backlog of work piling up in the studio at the moment. Selling it on and letting others enjoy it would be a whole lot of wonderfulness.
Just have to wait and see I guess

Show Proposals, Concerts, and other exciting things

2011-02-22T22:43:00.000-04:00

Hello!

There are many things a brewing in the studio these days, Working on commissions and building inventory in anticipation of a craft fair or two this summer. I had such a lovely time at the Halifax Crafters winter sale a few months ago, I figured that it would be the type of craft show to do. As this is my first craft show application I am a little nervous....

Work is starting to pile up mightily in the studio however, so it is high time I tried to get some of it out there into other homes.

I've been having loads of fun attending concerts in Downtown Halifax for the Canada Games, 6 concerts in 7 days will have me spoilt before long.

Toodles blogosphere, until next time.

Should I stay? Or should I go?

2010-06-07T17:24:00.003-03:00

So I've just applied on some exciting jobs that are in my field! Yay! Unfortunately they are not in the same province, and are short term deals...

So here is what I am trying to figure out, at what point is it unreasonable to relocate for work? Where do I draw a line in the sand between cost/inconvieniance/stress/moving and opportunity/excitement/ new horizons ?

There is a part of me that would beg her way around the world for a light at the end of the unemployment tunnel right now, but seeing as how emotionally shattered I've been lately I have to ask myself "Is it worth it?" I really don't know, and really I am getting ahead of myself, but is moving 1400 Km for 6 months of part-time work a viable option?

Biting off more than I can chew.

2010-06-04T00:11:00.003-03:00

Well now, being the dreamer and the optimist that I am given to being... I have gone and proposed a hugely ambitious project to a reputable art event that I am not entirely certain that I can pull off.

I mean, it is reasonably possible, but that is theoretical at best.
How will I make 12 foot tall ceramic sculptures?
How will I fire them?
How will I set them up to be sturdy yet easy to take down (only 6 hrs of exhibition time)?
What will I do if it happens to rain that night?
Where on earth will I put these sculptures while waiting to be shown / after the show is done?

But I've got this picture in my mind that I would love to share with the world, or at least the good people of Halifax.

So wish me luck, clear skies, and a bit of wind for October 16th 2010.

Fumbling with a paintbrush

2010-02-01T18:00:00.003-04:00

Painting.

Taking up yet again my long and tumultuous history with "serious" painting. All through my time at NSCAD I wanted to take a class or two on this subject, lacking the ability to breath in the painting studios however kept me from doing so.

And so here I am, fumbling my way around a pallet and canvasses with the goal of participating in a local group show. . . . Fingers are crossed and expletives quietly muttered, stabbing around in a semi-blind state. I've a few weeks to go, I'll keep you updated.

Midwinter continued

2010-01-20T13:26:00.006-04:00

The long stretch of midwinter is here, a multitude of ideas are trying to germinate, but the growing part is just not happening at the moment... as is the was with winter in these Northern regions. A few weeks ago I did have the opportunity to get my hands into some clay ( and my nose, love that earthy fall smell! )

Just a quick sketch really, mucking around and not at all about pottery. Trip planning has been overtaking the art time this last week or so anyway. Researching, bugeting, making lists upon lists of things to do and see.... daydreaming

Well until next time dear blog

January

2010-01-13T20:13:00.003-04:00

The days are slowly growing longer, and here in Nova Scotia they seem to be growing colder as well.

A cold that crystalizes, that distills the mind. Winter is far from over, there will be many more glistening snowfalls, and crunching walks, and biting cold winds... precious quiet moments.

There are many partially painted paintings and half finished projects around, but slowly slowly everything will get there.

Twenty-ten, its time to start again.

2010-01-06T13:19:00.002-04:00

Under the cover of fresh fallen snow, ideas incubate.

2010, I'm banking on this year being a good year, a better year than 2009... For one thing there is a wonderful trip planned this summer, for my husband and I. Back to Europe for a working holiday. The plan is for 6 months in Italy and a year in Ireland. This trip will be about food and art, culture and experiences. We will be taking less stuff and trying much harder to stay out of comfortable ruts.

I am very excited

I so fail at internets

2009-12-14T22:54:00.002-04:00

Well now... again it has been ages, again I am sorry, and again I promise to try and be here more often.

I hope that everyone out there is having a lovely Winter-Holiday-of-choice. I am making quite a few of my own presents, as I do most years. This time however I'm not also at Uni full time so I have the luxury of time in the making of them.

I have some exciting new years news, But I think I'll leave it till then. Merry New Year everyone!

Back from the Dead! well sort of...

2009-10-21T14:23:00.002-03:00

Hello again old friend, I think I really owe you an apology. It has been a long time since I have been here. In the seven months since my last post I have moved to the beautiful Annapolis valley, mended a crushed soul, and realized that some promises are better broken .

I am currently drawing and painting fairly consistantly, still aching for a ceramic studio... but everything in time.
I have also finally made the leap into Etsy, and am working on a business plan for a studio of my own.

Things are rolling again, and I promise to do my best to keep them that way from now on.

Dont tempt me Etsy.

2009-03-10T11:58:00.002-03:00

Are you familiar with Etsy? If not please go check it out here
They run a regular feature on their blog entitled Quit your Day Job. Every time I read one of these articles I am liking the idea more and more.
I've spent all morning designing a theoretical studio space and I have shelves full of ceramic work that I would love to sell, with more being produced every week. I dream of ceramics all day while I am at work, and my day job is looking pracariously close to the edge of no longer exhisting.

So what is stopping me from setting up shop? I've had a website "in development" for months now, and I've got hundreds of pages of notes and lists, books, advice etc.

I am afraid of failing to make money, or making enough money, and it hurts to admit that this is what is holding me back from being truely happy. Slow little steps that I am taking today will get me to running my own business someday, I just wish I had the guts to make the leap, instead of climbing all the way there petrified.

Spring ahead

2009-03-07T11:25:00.005-04:00

I'm still procrastinating on putting up my website, I'm still fussing around with the forms of my cup line, and I'm still looking for another day job. But you know what? Spring is so close I can taste it.

The birds are back and singing in the mornings, the sun has woken from its hibernation and a deluge of ideas, excitement and energy is upon me. I'm making lists of little things that I can do to move things forward, small manageable steps towards a focused business plan in the creative and the logical/finacial sense.
This lovely vase is from Jasna Sokolovic
who has a great illustration / ceramic surface thing happening.

Have a lovely day!

Spring pots

2009-03-03T11:14:00.005-04:00

This has been an exciting and productive couple of weeks. I've decided on a few forms and started producing cups. I still have to pin down loads of details, but cups are great for that, quick, small three dimensional and functional. They will point out any faults in the clay, glaze or firing process without eating up huge amounts of time.

I am also working out a series of visuals that will appear on this functional series, I find the most difficult part is to decide on what I want and then to produce it in a consistant way. That is my goal for the next two months. I will try and reign in the creative outburst of spring to get me closer to my goals.

I'll leave you with a photo from Bibbi Forsman's blog that has been tempting me from my pots towards mosaic work. Lovely lovely

Where did February go?

2009-02-23T23:37:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe that this month is almost over, February always seems so short, though really it is only a few days under a "real" month. My tendency to hibernate in the winter does not help matters I am sure.

There has been some slow progress in the studio, I am hopeful that this next kiln load will have some real winners that I am proud to start selling. I've got my eyes on a few "bricks and mortar" shops as well as some online venues. I am still honing my skill at repeating the same form and having consistent wall thickness etc. and would like to have that as well as glaze fit fully under control before I let these little cups out into the world. I am getting close, but I won't quit my day job just yet.

Until next time blogland!

Inklings of illustrated ceramics

2009-02-15T12:17:00.000-04:00

One of the major ideas bouncing around in my brain at the moment is a dinner service that tells a story when presented together. Not with words, but with images, Scraffito drawings mostly and maybe some simple drawing transfers. I'm thinking that the back of each piece may have some text, stating the person, object or action on the face side, similar to the way that tarot cards have text, but do not explain fully, and the meaning depends on context and interpretation.

I have been looking at a number of lovely ceramic artists that use the techniques and style that I'm looking for in this project.

Ayumi Horie

Ron Philbeck

Julia Galloway

Diana Fayt

I hope you enjoy them.

Dreaming about the Studio

2009-02-12T19:17:00.000-04:00

Not much to report today, I had planned to make some cups to illustrate today, but as I was heading to the bus stop I slipped and fell on some ice into a pile of salt. (Had it been scattered and not dumped in a pile, it would have melted said ice.) I managed to sustain a number of cuts and gashes on my hand, so no clay time for me today. Instead I am dreaming up a huge future project.

Also I am working on a header image. I'm posting the current favorites, one is classy but lacks colour, the other is maybe a little busy, I'll see if anything else pops up tonight.

Brain Storm... its windy in here!

2009-02-08T15:02:00.001-04:00

Well the time is upon me to submit photos and information for the NSCAD graduation catalog.
Unfortunately I am having a hard time concentrating on this specific task.

My brain is much too busy dreaming up new methods of displaying my current sculpture work and the design for a functional line of products I would feel good about recreating again and again. That along with drumming up a new source of employment and spontaneous songs (while cooking, doing menial tasks at work) etc..

Conscious thought is one baby step at a time right now as there is such a storm on the back burner. Wish me luck.

Here is a little sketch, I been doing pages of these a day, I can't even finish a thumbnail before some new idea comes barging in. Whew

Feeling good

2009-02-05T19:57:00.000-04:00

Nothing all that exciting to say today, except that despite all sorts of factors with huge potential to bring me down, and a few actively pursuing this. I am feeling good about life in general.

Thank you friends, family, husband... and Radio 3

New work is currently setting up in the studio, photos soon.

PS. for some quality tunes, check out The Weakerthans
Virtue the cat explains her departure you save my sanity at least twice a day.

Gradshow Post, better late than never

2009-02-03T20:10:00.000-04:00

I'm still trying to get an online album set up. But in the meantime I figure it is a good time to do that blog post that I've been promising myself.

My first solo show, as I am sure many are was a big learning experiance. Trying to figure out timelines and priorities, while making new work and keeping up with school and a day job was too much. If I could do it again I would try and simplify the aspects that were presented and draw more attention to the central idea of the work. Not that I'm sure how that would have worked.

I still have not settled my inner debate about gallery food. Being married to a chef gives me an advantage o great food. But on opening night I feel it really took the focus away from the work I was showing. Plus work on the floor gets lost in a crowded opening, and while that is only one night of the exhibition, many of the people who come to opening night do not come back for a second look.

Also the sound feature I was dreaming of would have added a bigger presence to the work.

Anyway enjoy these few photos and I'll put up a link to the album when it is done.

Decisions, decisions

2009-02-02T14:29:00.000-04:00

I've got a big decision looming, ah how to decide, which way to go?

And yet I am hoping that the decision does not get made for me, as either outcome could be equally unplesant.

Wish me luck

Must . not. hibernate...... zzzz

2009-02-01T21:06:00.000-04:00

Just the basic task of staying awake seems to be a struggle these days. Winter has always been this way for me.

In other news I made a few cups and bowls this week. I really need to work on consistancy but first I want to find a set of shapes that I like so I can devellop them into a line of work. I've got all sorts of ideas for deco. It is just the forms that I need to decide on.

Also I need to do a gradshow post. But that will wait until tomorrow... I hope to feel more alive then.

nighty night....

back in the world of the living

2008-12-13T11:19:00.000-04:00

The show was a great success, the photos are being developed and should be able to be up by Tuesday or so.

All things considered, I feel very proud of how the show turned out. The opening and the food my husband made were the stars of the show, so crouded! The requisite post show cold has finally subsided, I always crash into a wall of sickness after an intense period of working and the general lack of sleep and overabundance of junk food that comes with it.

I am starting to accept the notion that I am done at NSCAD U and am excited to have a more insulated (idea-wise) work space. The port campus is not a friendly space, the constant barrage of outward influence and crossbread ideas has been pulling me in all directions. I am sure that I will miss this collaborative brainstorming. Yet with so many ideas in gestation at the moment, a little bit of elbow room could be just the ticket.

Elbow room in both the physical and mental sence. I've been working in a hallway/ sink area and the constant interruption has been trying to say the least.

Until next time little blog,

Countdown 6. 5. 4. ...

2008-11-18T15:35:00.000-04:00

The Show is almost here! exciting, frightening. There are so amny things that I wanted to do that will not get done... But I am ok with that. The artwork will be there, there may not be a website developed yet, or a handmade book to sign in. But the basics are there and that is the important part anyway.

If you happen to be in Halifax, Nova Scotia on November 24th please come by the opening 5:30 until 7ish at the Anna Leon Owens Gallery, 1891 Grandville street. This gallery is part of NSCAD University and there will be three other show on as well. The exhibition closes 4 pm November 29th.

I hope to see some of you there!

Gradshow fever

2008-11-15T14:25:00.000-04:00

Well, what a whirlwind of activity. My Grad-show opens in nine days, I've had the last of the clay made into objects, I've got a plan for setup, I think I even know what I am wearing to the opening...

But I cannot help panicking every 15 minutes or so.

This is going to be a long week.

Ceramic History

2008-11-08T12:55:00.000-04:00

While reserching for a term paper today I came across an interesting link for ceramics history on the web. I realize how much I've learned from a few recent classes when photos pop up and I am able to identify them without reading the text.

Now I just need to learn contemporary ceramics and I'm set.

Inspire someone!

2008-10-29T22:41:00.000-03:00

Wow, well I have to write another post today.

In my normal day to day activities I try and pass on as much good info as I can. Working at a gallery I get all sorts of opportunities forwarded to me and though many of them are not right for my situation, they can sometimes be exactly what someone else has been searching for.

I gave a wonderful artist a boost in confidence about her work and inspired her to reach outside her comfort zone and apply for a residency that will push her to experiment with technique and materials. It made me feel extremely good to inspire someone and it inspired me to get a few ideas togeather for the office, and for my own professional practice.

for any other ceramicists out there Carole Epp over at musing about mud does a wonderful job of getting the word out.

Go take a look, and inspire yourself today.

Critique, is it critical?

2008-10-29T10:12:00.000-03:00

Mid term critiques are rolling through town here at NSCAD U. Today on my way to work the studio was bustling at it's normally quietest time, 8am.

I had one of the most focused critiques I've ever had a few days ago, and it is quite timely with a solos show coming up. Other friends in the studio have had a terrible time with critiques that leave them unable to even explain the basis/ inspiration of their work and force them to sit through 1 1/2 hours of speculation and ridicule.

Hopefully it will all come out in the wash. For many of my compatriots this fall there has been the question, is it always critical to have critiques? I think we will know by the end of the year.

A blast from the (recent) past

2008-10-28T12:49:00.000-03:00

Well since this blog has been entirely picture free so far. I thought that I would put up some pics from a workshop that I participated in over the summer with Julia Galloway and Margaret Bohls. IT was a 6 week historical study were we recreated pieces from history being as true to the original as we could. It culminated with a group show in the Anna Leonowens Gallery at NSCAD University.

The course was a whole lot of fun. Here is a Greek oinichoe that I made. This photo was taken by Martina Lantin. There were plans to have a webpage done up for this class after the fact to share the stories and information that we learned... But I don't think that is happening.

Work for my solo show on the 24th of November is coming along. There really have not been that many crises yet....

Martina Lantin took this photo as well, thanks again Martina

"I'm just a little cloud floatin through space"

2008-10-25T13:21:00.000-03:00

Well well, it has been awhile hasn't it little blog.

I've lost the cord to my camera, So I need to get a new one of those ASAP. I have so much stuff to show...

The work for my very first solo gallery show is going well, I really have to focus in now though. 20 days of working remain.. so I'm freaking out a little. That is actually where the header comes from. It has become my mantra today, telling me that there is no need to make a struggle for myself. It is partially working.

Someday I will share my photos with blogland, I promise for real this time. when that will be? Don't ask me, I'm just a little cloud floating through space.

Using History as Inspiration

2008-07-11T15:26:00.000-03:00

Hello again,

Lots to report, I'm taking an awesome class with Julia Galloway and Margret Bohls at NSCAD. Great, fun and just a little overwhelming.

I've got all sorts of historical pots to make for an exhibition coming up soon( click here for some photos), an apartment to paint and 4 paintings on commission...

Busy, busy, busy.

Big exciting things are happening.
(Martina Lantin took this photo, thank you Martina)

Nesting

2008-06-21T14:38:00.000-03:00

I am currently trying desparatly to resist the urge to nest...

The new place is beautiful and even Husband is getting excited about things like curtains, and where to hang paintings. Now don't get me wrong there is nothing inatley evil about nesting... It is just getting in the way of everything else right now.

All of the lovely fun and important things seem to be falling to the wayside. I missed a deadline on a very promising little opportunity this week... Nothing to cry over, but I had no good reason for not getting that piece done. I had inspiration, I had a layout, I had the thing 3/4 done, and then, the strangest thing happened.

On a day full of Vim and Vinegar I got sidetracked with the household. Quite a new experiance, the natural balance of things around here was completely turned on its head and the paintings were left unattended. I cooked, I cleaned, I even baked cookies...

What is going on here?

Moving House

2008-05-31T11:16:00.000-03:00

Packing up and moving is quite a task.
Add a fully equiped art room and a closet full of show ceramics to that mix and it becomes seemingly insurmountable.

I have gone through eight years worth of drawings and various art related paraphenaila... It is not even the physical aspect of the moving that is so hard, I'm finding the emotional part is getting to me.

A task of Purging ones artistic history is not something that I would wish upon any one...

The silver lining however is that the new place is beautiful and twice as big as the last place.

Now just to get it set up.

A big exciting weekend

2008-05-14T11:57:00.000-03:00

Looking at the weather report just now and hoping that it will be wrong. I'm heading out of town to attend a wedding and the prediction of rain is most unwelcome.

In more on-topic news, The research grant/glaze library is slowly getting off the ground, I've got my space, and a portion of the plan. Mixing clay and glazes will start soon. This is very exciting for me...

Also I am working on a few surprises, for my friends. I'll put up some photos after they are in place so as not to ruin the suprise.

Vacation is over, time to get in gear

2008-05-10T10:54:00.000-03:00

Well now, the time has come to get serious about this.

Some interesting things have been happening and now there is a mid july deadline to get preped for. Actually the Website has to be running by the end of June I think..... I may even get the buisness name registered.

A busy productive summer this is turning out to be.

And now, back to the show.

2008-04-25T14:43:00.000-03:00

Whew, well school is done for the semester and I have started my new job. I'll be taking some photo's tomorrow if the weather allows.

I've had a week of no school, just working and I am getting board already. Luckily I've got some summer projects.

Well, until next time...

The joy of Critique

2008-04-08T23:02:00.000-03:00

Critiques are always an uncomfortable experiance for me. I have a hard time verbalizing my concepts for the most part and especially with a personal project like I am working on at the moment.

We had a large group crit yesterday and to my embarassment I struggled to keep my emotions under control. I have long been fustrated with my lack of emotional control and trying to explain something that is still in progress can be fustrating.

I only hope that I can have a better run at this the next time.

The first day of the rest of my life

2008-04-05T13:52:00.000-03:00

Hello BlogLand,

Another year older and with many new and exciting opportunities croping up, I've decided to start a blog to keep me on track in my creative life.

I am a ceramics student with an interesting summer project, and some exciting arts related employment. The growth here maybe small until school is out for the summer, But after that it will be full steam ahead.