Charlie and Charlotte Go to Clayworks!

Hello!
Its that time of year again! Baltimore Clayworks offers an open call for entries for their show: Solo Cup Benefit Exhibition.  Artists donate cups to the Clayworks an in turn they are eligible for a chance at their own solo show!

The show opens August 17th! Be sure to check it out!

Also, I will have a June/July POTM up soon! There will still be two artists, and THREE(!) pieces!! It has been a crazy busy summer but it will be up soon!

Piece of the Month: Nick Ramey

Hello All!
Its about that time for another installment of my extended new years resolution quest. This month I decided to go with a terracotta piece for one specific reason; I don't have one piece of functional terracotta. Well I have had my eye on this bowl for some time and I am super excited to have it in our new home. YES, you read that correctly. Andrew and I moved into our new place at the begining of the month. We brought very few dishes and things, so our cabinets are just asking for new work to be added.

Anyway, here is April's POTM

NICK RAMEY

Bowl

    

     So I am in LOVE with this little bowl.  I first read about Nick in Ceramics Monthly some time back and was wowed by his work.  Its so rich and vibrant.  He builds in these moments for his washes that only deepen his treatment of the surface.  The bottom of the bowl has an awesome chattered texture (I love chattering!) and the rich red really pops against the green. Oh, and that green!  The color is right up my alley. There is a great subtle texture on the outside from the circles.  I really enjoy how the rim is thick, but the because of the foot, the piece isn't clunky. It looks like its defying gravity.  :)

Nick Ramey is currently an artist in residence at the Baltimore Clayworks. He has been published in both Ceramics Monthly as well as Larks 500 series. His work consists of washed terracotta pieces that are both thrown and handbuilt.

"Throughout my career in the field of ceramics, creating functional pottery has always been important. I believe that handmade pottery should be beautiful to look at, and equally important, should be comfortable to use on a daily basis. The aesthetic qualities and functionality should go hand and hand to make the piece truly successful. I like to think of my pottery as functional sculptures, which will keep the viewer coming back day after day, discovering something new each time. My work uses red earthenware clay along with underglazes, slips, ceramic decals, and metallic luster. The inspiration comes from both handmade and commercial ceramics, from the functional to the kitschy, and I am trying to create interesting juxtapositions between these different elements."

Learn more about Nick Ramey and his amazing work here.

Find out more about the POTM project here!

New Years Project

Hello Everyone!
    Happy New Year!  This year for my resolution I have given myself a bit of project.  Similar to the mug of the month promotions places have going, I am doing a piece of the month plan.  I have recently been thinking about how my home will look once Andrew and I start our lives together.  What a better way to fill our home than with lovely, one of a kind, handcrafted, works of functional art!  So how will it work??
     Each month I have set aside a small budget to buy one piece of ceramic art.  With that budget I'll attempt to slowly start filling our cabinets while also building a wonderful ceramic collection.  Each month I'll try to get something different that falls under a certain category. (Ex: mug, plate, bowl, serving, etc...) I'm really excited for this and will post what piece I get every month, along with information on the artist who made it! So here we go!!

January Piece of the Month- Yunomi

Kristen Kieffer

     I am very excited to have a Kristen Kieffer piece in my home finally!  Kristen was my first real experience watching a ceramic artist demo their work (outside of class).  I have always really loved her work and find great inspiration from both her work as well as her success as a studio potter.  I really love this yunomi, it's perfect for milk or juice.  I find myself rotating the cup in my hand in between sips to feel all the texture.  The satin glaze in lovely to drink from and the shape fits my hand well.  The amount of texture and depth in this piece keeps me starring at it every time I use it. Last, I just love how the glaze causes the piece to almost glow...Its just..splendid! :D 

To find out more about Kristen Kieffer:

http://kiefferceramics.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KiefferCeramics

And here is her etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/kiefferceramics

     Keep checking back throughout the year to see whats next!

Up next month:  Andrew's Choice!

One big, happy, ceramic family!

        Over the past few months I have submitted works to various places in hopes of getting my foot into the
gallery world.  Wish us luck!

Chelsea Tea Set.  ^6 Oxidation.  White stoneware, colored slip, stain wash.

Jill, John, and Jess (with Caddie).   ^6 Oxidation.  White stoneware, colored slip, stain wash.

         These pieces are submissions for the show Game, Set, Match at Baltimore Clayworks.  This show is jurried by Ayumi Horie!