One of my favorite types of pots that I like to throw are very narrow necked vases and closed forms. This particular covered jar was thrown as a closed form. It’s a really easy way to make a covered jar because I just cut the lid off of the form, add a knob and voila! You can also make a covered jar by throwing the base and the lid separately, but it’s a little more tricky since a caliper is needed to get the correct dimensions for a good fit.
This is stoneware and is still in the green or leather-hard state. Once it’s bone dry, it will be ready to bisque fire. This is approximately 7″ tall with the knob and 5 1/2″ wide.
You may notice that I have changed the look of my blog. I have been taking an art marketing class with Alyson Stanfield the past 2 weeks and we are on the concept of “branding” oneself. I was just trying to line my blog up with my website for the time being. I realized my free website isn’t doing what I need it to do, so I am going to re-build my site either from scratch or teach myself how to use Adobe Golive and buy paid hosting. I have the Adobe Creative Suite loaded on my computer but have only really used Photoshop and Illustrator. This coming Saturday I’m also going to attend the Building Creative Business Expo organized by the city of Denver which should supplement my new found marketing knowledge quite nicely.
It’s all good, but learning about the business of art is keeping me from making a whole lot of art work. I’d be interested to hear how other artists get around to the business of marketing.
Tags: art marketing, covered jar, pottery
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“I’d be interested to hear how other artists get around to the business of marketing.”
This year I am taking a break from it because I need to get back to the business of creating art. Finding that balance I think takes a long time. I haven’t found that balance yet, but what I learned last year was invaluable. I think once you learn and get the foundation going it is easier to get that balance.
but I can see why you need to change it.
I kind of liked your old look
Hi Cynthia
Just been catching up with all the posts I’ve missed while I’ve been away and admiring the ceramics, the new look of the blog (an improvement I reckon) and experiencing feelings of envy over your studio space
So glad to hear that the ending to your scare has been a happy one too.
Good luck with all the classes and the marketing - I let hubby take care of a lot of that nowadays! Always hated it myself and still do.
Nickola
Wonderful work! It’s great that you show the before and after as well as guide us with steps on how to do it.
*Hugs*
I just caught my breath and held it when I saw the first picture on the blog! I love it Cynthia! Something about it just called to me! Then to see how you improved it with the top and knob! WoW! I love that too.
I think you question is exactly what most artist types run into, sooner or later. It is hard to figure out which is best or hardest to do. When I was writing we used to joke, “Oh, writing is easy. All you do is open a vein and write in blood.” But, the trick is in selling what you’ve written. For me that is always the sticking point. I’m not a business person and I don’t do well on a business agenda.
I like the new look.
Right now I have been trying to leave comments on different blogs. At first I was targeting design blogs. Then I thought I would try fish related ones — plenty of websites & clubs, but few blogs — that I found — and many not current.
I do have too many irons in the fire and need to focus on fewer things so they get better attention.
Sounds like an interesting expo to attend. I hope you get some good ideas and direction from it.
Cyn wow you are a talented artist, your pot is just pure perfection! I remember in class we had to make a pot with a lid and I remember how tricky it was, mine was kind of pitiful looking and didn’t fit very well LOL. My marketing is hit and miss on my art. I rarely ever post in my free website and the only thing I post in regularly is my blog, I need to do something about that though. I like the look of your new blog but I miss that little colorful banner you had at the top!
Nice work in lining up the look of your two sites, and beautiful jar Cynthia! Nice to hear I’m not alone in doing investigation on how to improve my on-line environment. Gratz to you and all of your hard work!
Love, love the new pot. I wish I had the work space to get back into the “mud” as my clayworks teacher used to say at the top of class…the only art related class I have ever taken.
I like the new look of the blog, but I do miss the colorful old one too.
art and business…hard as hell…but I spend just as much time marketing as I do creating which little time to relax, and I am too still trying to find that balance. Right now I spend two full days a week on marketing and promotions and the other five on art…that seems to be helping…I just focus on the day ahead and go for it. Whith show season fast at my heels, it’s hard to get it all done every week.
Looking forward to what you come up with, we can all learn from one another.
Thanks for all the comments everyone! The header is not gone forever…I just have to revise it. I decided that until I have some new work finished that I’m really happy with, I would hold off on a header. That way anyone clicking on my website and my blog won’t think they landed on 2 separate planets. I really appreciate your feedback. It helps me to know what helps make my web presence more attractive.
This is beautiful, Cynthia! And I especially love the shape of the lid=:)
Beautiful update for your blog. Always a highlight of my day (reading your blog). Thanks!