Carolina Claymatters Workshop

On Sunday I presented a workshop for the Carolina Claymatters pottery guild in Charlotte, NC. It was my first time presenting in front of such a large group of people, about 80! But once I got warmed up I realized 80 is about the same as 12 when you are doing something that you love in front of them! I think it turned out pretty great and I was happy to send more pots out in the world, too! I hope to continue doing more of these workshops in the future. Thank you for the invite to teach, Charlotte, NC! Now it's back to work in the studio to get ready for the Mint Museum Potters Market in September when I'll head back to Charlotte again. I'll be firing a whole new kiln load of wood and soda fired pots for this great show!

Tea time

Having fun with my teapots! Very slow handle process but I think it's so worth it!

Scenes from the studio

Good morning! I have been enjoying my pace in the studio, with a lot of pots in progress at the same time. It's a balancing act with a race against time and the pots drying out too fast. I like to think of it similar to cooking in the kitchen, loving that feeling of being caught in the moment of creativity, energy and ideas, working on parts of pots in different stages. This morning I threw a few teapots, but today I'll finish an earlier batch I started, finishing the spouts and handles.

 

 

Mica Grand Opening Party

Join us for our Grand Opening Celebration this Saturday, July 14, 2012, 5-8 pm. Meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments, and see our beautiful new gallery. The first 100 guests at our grand opening reception will receive a special gift made by the Mica Gallery Members.
 

Mica showcases the work of 14 local artists who work and live in the surrounding mountains near Bakersville. On display and available for sale are a stunning variety of functional and sculptural ceramics, glass, wood, prints, and paintings each touched by the unique mark of its maker.

Mica Artists:    
Jon Ellenbogen - Becky Plummer - Kent McLaughlin - Suze Lindsay - Gertrude Graham Smith - Susan Feagin - Cynthia Bringle - David Ross - Shaunna Lyons - Joy Tanner - William Baker - Claudia Dunaway - Jenny Lou Sherburne - Jacque Allen - Pablo Soto

Grand Opening: Saturday, July 14, 2012, 5 - 8 pm 

 Mica | Fine Contemporary Craft 

37 N. Mitchell Avenue
Bakersville, North Carolina 28705
 

Regular Gallery Hours: Sunday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm

Website: www.micagallerync.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/micagallerync
Email: info@micagallerync.com
Phone:  828-688-mica (6422)

Directions to our gallery

Morning fog

I have changed my schedule lately in the studio. I'm not usually a morning person, but the afternoon heat in these metal quanset huts feels like I'm baking in a tin can! So now I'm loving the sweet early hours of morning before the fog lifts, mine in my head, as well as the river fog rising above the mountains! Now I'm off to the farmers market, and later I get to visit with my friend and artist Meagan Chaney who's swinging through town. Tonight there's a lecture and wood fired exhibit opening at Crimson Laurel Gallery which should be pretty impressive!

Schaller Gallery, William Baker

My husband and potter, Will has some new pots featured in an online exhibition at Schaller Gallery right now.  View the show online here.  Also, if you haven't found him there already, his facebook page is www.facebook.com/williambakerpottery. 

Online Etsy shop: www.williambaker.etsy.com 

I can't help but do a little promotion for him and his amazing pots!

New Artist Statement

I have a new artist statement on my website! 

http://joytannerpottery.com/artist-statement

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about how Katey Schultz assists with arts writing for artists.  She just helped me revise my artist statement.  If you need any help with writing, Katey's great for this!  She can write something from scratch, but also she can help you with something you have written already, which is what I did.  An artist statement is so personal, as my work is, too, so I've always felt I should write my own.  Having someone else edit what I wrote really helped me find new words for the same thoughts.  Katey helped me freshen up some of the ideas I had and I really like how it turned out. 

You can contact Katey and read about her artist services here: 
http://www.kateyschultz.com/p/services.html

 View from Round Bald, looking toward Roan Mountain, in late June

Progress

It's nice to see the ware cart filling up these days, I'm planning on making lots of pots this summer to gear up for a lot of great fall shows!

Green Hill Exhibition

The By Example show was great with a beautiful collection of pots and potters! Afterwards many of the potters all got together to eat dinner together; it was great company to be with! The show is up through August and is one you won't want to miss!