Generosity of Spirit, The Gifts of Penland Artists

I have lived in the Penland area for five years and worked as a full time studio potter.  I have long admired Penland School and the surrounding artist community for its vibrant and creative setting.  I feel fortunate to be able to work and live in such a wonderful and nurturing area.  In the past few years, I was awarded student assistantships in clay at Penland.  I have also been fortunate to grow and learn in my work through generous mentoring from several established artists in the area. I am honored to be exhibiting in the Generosity of Spirit: The Gifts of Penland Artists fundraising exhibition at the Signature Gallery because I'm pleased to know it will inspire future clay or metal artists to get an opportunity to come to Penland with a scholarship.  Coming full circle, knowing the work I create will help others create is a great way for me to say thank you to all of the artists in this area who have helped me.

February 10, 2012 - March 15, 2012 Signature Shop in Atlanta, Georgia.
An exhibition of contemporary ceramics, jewelry, and metalwork by 68 artists affiliated with Penland School of Crafts. A portion of each sale will be donated to expand Penland’s ceramic and metal studios. The show will soon be feature online. 


Opening Reception:
Friday, February 10, 6:00 – 8:00pm 

Clockwise from top left: Nicholas Joerling, Tom McCarthy, Kathy King, Sarah Loertscher, Joy Tanner, Boris Bally

Penland Artist Gallery talks:
Nicholas Joerling & Angela Bubash
Saturday, February 11, 2:00-4:00pm
Julia Woodman & Gay Smith
Saturday, February 18, 2:00-4:00pm

https://www.facebook.com/SignatureContemporaryCraft?ref=ts

Creativity

The right side of my brain has been fighting to get out lately as bigger topics such as business, taxes, and other large winter projects of the self-employed hover over me each day of my week.  The other side of my brain just doesn't feel good doing those things and after a while I notice myself feeling overloaded.  Once I get back into my creative side at the studio I feel my 'normal' left handed self! 

I've been back at making pots slowly during the month of January, trying out some new things, as well as going with the comfortable, familiar pots that I love getting warmed up with.  Being in that position of trying new things when you have no idea where they will take you, or even if they will work, can be painfully slow and frustrating.  At the same time, these exercises can be very challenging and helps spark new ideas and thoughts about each detail. You want to see instant gratification, but working out new ideas can take time. 

So I've been trying to figure out some oval boat forms, which aren't pictured here.  But in the meantime, I figured out some cool smaller basket or vase forms.  I'm thinking specifically of making new ikebana vases, or flower bricks forms.  You can probably go back into the old archives of this blog and notice that every January I go through the same phases of making pots for the spring.  Dreaming of seeds, planting, and flowers, the inspirations and thoughts are endless here.  As for new forms, being in that tough spot of not sure where I'm going with a form can be nicely balanced with the other half of the day throwing my favorite ridge bowls, pictured above.  The familiar contrasted with the new and challenging.  I didn't realize this was happening, but it made the transition from seeing a whole week flying by just tinkering around on a few vases feel better to see a couple rounds of bowls completed and ready to be slipped.

Photography Workshop

Join us for a repeat round of DIY craft photography workshops taught by John Britt and myself.  We are offering two separate one-day classes, February 4 or 5th. These fill quickly, so please sign up soon!

Digital Craft Photography Workshop
Saturday February 4, 2012
One day, hands on class on basic craft photography.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$85.00 (includes digital photographs of 2 pieces and a delicious lunch).
Joy Tanner and John Britt will conduct a one day, hands on class on how to take digital photographs of your three dimensional ceramics/crafts using a simple, low tech approach for the beginner.
Space is limited to 8 people.

Digital Craft Photography Workshop
Sunday February 5, 2012
One day, hands on class on basic craft photography.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$85.00 (includes digital photographs of 2 pieces and a delicious lunch).
Joy Tanner and John Britt will conduct a one day, hands on class on how to take digital photographs of your three dimensional ceramics/crafts using a simple, low tech approach for the beginner.
Space is limited to 8 people.

To sign up please contact: John Britt Pottery
154 Sparks Road
Bakersville, NC 28705
828-467-5020/ 828-688-6615
http://johnbrittpottery.com/workshops/
johnbrittpottery@gmail.com