& Inspiration">New Jewelry & Inspiration
I have worn the prototype of this necklace for about the last 6 months now, and get a ton of compliments and requests for duplication. I have a problem though, I have a high amount of breakage during the making and firing of the piece since it’s so delicate. Anyway, 2 survived my last firing and I may have figured out the secret to making these successfully.
The original necklace was inspired by this sculpture that I made in college my last semester. I love the organic shape and have been meaning to do more work in this direction but wince when I recall the cracking and baby sitting of this piece during the drying process. I never did glaze it, because I couldn’t decide how to do so – but have some ideas now. I just need to do a little sanding and will most likely glaze it the next time I fire to ^6. I don’t know about any of you other ceramic people out there, but glazing doesn’t come easy for me. Sometimes I need to think about it a few weeks – sometimes years.
Meanwhile, I’m recovering from a nasty cold that struck the state of Colorado and am feeling much better today. I am also not scheduled to sub this week and will most likely turn down all offers. I really want to spend some QT in the garagio this week. Because of my teaching affiliation with Anderson Ranch Arts Center this coming summer, I received an invitation to submit work for possible inclusion in a fall show at their gallery. I need to get cracking – the deadline for application is fast approaching and I’d really like to submit something new.
Have a good week everyone,
~Cynthia
& New Porcelain Jewelry">Kid’s Ceramic Insects & New Porcelain Jewelry
I’m pleased to announce that I spoke with the director of the Art Student’s League of Denver yesterday afternoon and she offered me a position as a summer kid’s art camp instructor for 2008! Very excited about the possibilities. I can teach one class, repeat the class a different weeks or teach as many different classes as I can dream up. I’ll need to work on some proposals this weekend and take a good look at my schedule for next summer. She loved Larry, but I’ll need to tweak the project so that I don’t repeat my class that I have scheduled at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in July 2008. Speaking of Larry, I entered him in a doll and puppet contest over at EBSQ – so if you’re registered with the site and like Larry, could ya vote for him? Polls are open till Dec. 8th.
This porcelain necklace is fresh from my kiln as of Dec. 1st and is available for purchase from my Etsy Shop.
We’re headed up to the mountains this afternoon for a mini ski trip. I’m bringing my laptop (have to work on those proposals) with me and hope to share some awesome photos with you.
Have a good weekend everyone,
~Cynthia
Low-Tech Outdoor Photo Shoot for Ceramic Work and other 3D Art
The other day, I shared my macro photo-shoot with you courtesy of my father in law. After helping us with some landscaping and hearing my instructions to leave a certain area of the yard accessible, he inquired, “Why pray tell do you have this table, clips and nails over here?” See photo above.
I leave this area set up 24 & 7 should the need arise to photograph some of my ceramic work. It’s ther perfect low tech way to make semi-professional looking studio photographs where no studio or funds exist. I then showed him my macro photo-studio and he replied, “This would make a great blog post!” I had to hand it to him, I agreed that it would be perfect especially during this period of inactivity in the studio while we put the final touches on our house for the home tour.
The background paper that I purchased a couple of years ago is holding up pretty well, despite a few scratches. I simply take it out of its cardboard container, unroll and clip onto the wood fence that separates our yard from my neighbor’s. I frightened her a few times when I was out photographing work at first, but now she’s used to it and will sometimes peak over the fence to see my new work.
The best photographs and truest colors result when I photograph my work midday with overcast skies. Don’t ask me why, but it’s advice that’s been handed down to me and it works. See how the background is a graduated gray color? The ceramic pieces are also true to life colorwise. I have shot in full sunlight before because I was anxious to post new work and the photo below is the outcome:
Photographing outside in full sunlight results in a blueish cast to the background. The ceramic piece is fairly accurate, but the background turns to a graduated blue because it’s reflecting the blue sky. I suppose one could argue that it doesn’t really matter if the art itself is true to life, but I like to have a consistent look to my photographs, website and blog.
Meanwhile, I returned my clay effigy doll workshop proposal to Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, CO (just outside of Aspen) last week and just heard back from the education coordinator. I have been scheduled to teach for the week of July 28th through August 1st of 2008. I’m very excited about the opportunity to teach there and should thank Jafabrit for posting the Doll challenge on her blog a few months ago. Thank you, Jafabrit!
And who says blogs are pointless?
~Cynthia
