Colorado Art Studio

Portable Light Box
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Like many other independent artisans, I need professional photographs so that I can share my work with you on my blog, website, Etsy and other retail venues. What happens when one can’t afford to hire a professional photographer? If you’re like me, you scour the Internet for information - free information!

A few years ago, I did invest in a seamless graduated photographic background paper that is pretty standard when photographing ceramic work. This method is my first choice when I need to do a large photoshoot, however, it has its drawbacks. I do not have special lights or even a designated space for photographing work in my studio or home. I photograph work outside - but have to wait for an overcast day to do have a photoshoot to avoid having blue undertones to my photographs.

Last fall, after searching the Internet for the best way to photograph small objects indoors or out, I found Strobist - a fantastic photographic how to blog that gave step by step instructions for constructing a low cost macro photo studio. About 3 weeks ago, I decided to construct one using a recycled USPS shipping box, tracing paper, packing tape and a portion of a piece of quality drawing paper.

It works pretty well in direct sunlight - though I imagine that I will also be able to use it inside too when the weather gets cooler. I’ve read somewhere that I can use Reveal light bulbs as my light source if I do use it inside in the future. I’m still trying to get the hang of it, and do end up having to make some minor adjustment in Photoshop. If you don’t have Photoshop or similar program, Google’s Picassa is a FREE download that offers storage and photo-editing software for anyone to use.

Porcelain ginkgo mug photographed in the DIY light box

This photo was also taken using my homemade light box
Meanwhile, I think I mentioned that my friend, Mary Cay and I went into business together. We purchased a huge lot of jewelry supplies and findings from one of her friends and have slowly begun the process of inventorying all of the bounty. We are going through all the items that we each want to keep for our own use and then are selling finished jewelry and supplies that we’ll never use in our lifetime. Check out our Etsy Shop if you’re a jewelry designer and are in need of affordable supplies. We haven’t listed much, but will be adding more and more until it’s all gone.

Work on the home front is progressing fantastically. We finished installing a crushed red chip path in our backyard, have painted and stained the bannister upstairs and other much needed tasks. I’m actually really glad that I said yes to the West Wash Park Home Tour, because we’re getting so many things done around the house which we’ll actually be able to enjoy while we live here! What a concept…

Enjoy the long weekend,

~Cynthia

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Porcelain wheel thrown weed vase with inlaid honeysuckle design - unfired
One of the cool things with keeping a blog is that it serves as a journal for me for trying new techniques and also a way for me to share the results with whomever is interested. I have been meaning to try the technique of inlaying colored slip into a piece, otherwise known as Mishima for awhile now. I just happened to have a leather hard pot available and decided to try it out yesterday afternoon.

Mishima originated in Korea during the Koryo Period (935-1392) where floral and animal motifs were incised and filled in with a contrasting colored slip on tea bowls. Contemporary ceramic artists borrow techniques from the past and make them more current - though often straying from and breaking some rules along the way. Now, isn’t that fun? I certainly like breaking the rules. For example the celadons and blues that I favor are normally fired to cone 10 in reduction (gas firing), however, I use a cone 6 glaze that resembles a traditional celadon in oxidation (electric kiln) that Mary Cay shared with me. Is it cheating? Nah, I don’t think so - I’m just making it work for me.

Celadon Blues by Robert Tichane is currently sitting on my night stand
If you’re interested, a very basic Mishima tutorial follows below:

Step 1) I started with a leather hard vase that I had thrown and trimmed on the wheel
Step 2) Assemble your materials - in this case, porcelain slip colored with French Green mason stain, a ball point pen and the leather hard clay piece
Step 3) Draw your design directly on the clay using a ball point pen (I used a Bic, since it has a medium tip). You can also use carving tools, or whatever implement you prefer.
Step 4) Generously paint on the colored slip onto your leather hard piece. Tip: walk away from the piece and allow the slip to dry.
Step 5) Use a metal rib to gently scrape the colored slip off of the pot. If you allow the slip to dry first, it will be much easier to scrape the slip off of your pot - I say this from experience!

Meanwhile, I received a very exciting email and phone call last week. I hope to be able to share the good news with you soon!

In other news, Mary Cay and I visited Denver artist, Mark Brasuell on Friday afternoon. Mark trained as a metalsmith, but has since turned to drawing and painting where he excels! After visiting a bit, touring his studio and getting a sneak peak at some new work in progress for an upcoming show, we purchased a huge lot of jewelry findings, beads, stringing supplies and tools from Mark now that he is no longer interested in jewelry making. We haven’t gone through the lot yet - it’s a bit mind bending with how much inventory we have. This coming week, we’ll be culling the supplies that we want to keep for our own work, and then expect a sister Etsy shop to open in the near future, where we will be liquidating the remaining stock.

Have a creative week,

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An interesting connection happened recently. A gentleman in Michigan found my Flickr Photostream online and enquired about how he could go about purchasing some of my work. We’ve been emailing back and forth and it turns out that many of the pieces in which he is interested are no longer available. I directed him towards my Etsy Shop and he did choose the piece in the photograph above along with a custom order request. Yesterday he emailed me a photograph of my piece which is now in his possession. It’s interesting, because once the item leaves my home, I never see it again. I often wonder what people do with my work, how is it used, etc. Accompanying this photograph were several photographs of his beautiful garden. I can rest assured that gorgeous flowers will find a home in my vase. I’m honored that people think my work is a perfect compliment to their lives. It makes me very happy!

Meanwhile, I’ve been experiencing a bit of uncertainty in regards to my art career and if you read my last post, know that I applied for a job last week. Fast forward to a podcast that I listened to on Monday morning while I was out for my run and I had an ah-ha moment. Suzanne Falter-Barnes has a podcast on her blog with Andy Wibbels interviewing Seth Godin about his new book The Dip. It must have been a serendipitous moment, because it was exactly what I needed to hear right at that moment. Basically, in a nut shell, when faced with difficulty in your career (though the concept could be applied to about anything), do you know when to quit, or when to lean into “the dip”? Most successful companies know how to emerge from the dips stronger by being creative and basically just working harder. If it were easy, wouldn’t everyone be a millionaire? While the podcast is really geared towards businesses, as an independent artist, I connected to the discussion.

Seth also talks about being the best in your field - but don’t let that get you down. Best in the field is a matter of knowing your market and product - and there’s room for a lot of different businesses to exceed. For example he talks about the iPod. As a consumer, you either own an iPod or one of the other brands. iPod is a name brand like Kleenex or even Word, yet Microsoft’s MP3 player didn’t achieve stellar star status like the iPod - though it might have if it weren’t trying to play catch up with Apple. Anyway if you’re interested in hearing more, the podcast is free if you visit Suzanne’s blog.

Yesterday evening, I was invited, along with a handful of other artist’s, to Alyson Stanfield’s house to brainstorm book design for her soon to be published new book, I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No Excuse Guide to Self Promotion. I think Alyson’s newest book will be easy to read and a valuable reference for creative people trying to craft a successful art career. Lisa Call stopped by on the way over to Alyson’s house and we drove up to Golden together. I really enjoyed the drive with her. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk with another artist about the day to day challenges of being an artist in today’s world.

My in-laws left town this morning and I’m planning on spending some time in my studio this morning. For some reason, the humble pinch pot keeps popping into my head right now.

Until Later,

Mini kiln opening
Celadon and Aqua Libre glazed ceramic pendants, earrings, buttons and pins
Bone dry porcelain ware ready to be bisque fired

I fired both of my kilns yesterday and need to re-load then again today! I could hardly wait to open up the glaze kiln because I had tested a new glaze and texture on some of my pieces. I used a celadon and an aqua libre glaze that’s very runny and so this was a test for me to see how thickly I can apply it without worrying about whether or not the glaze would run all over the kiln shelves. What did I learn?? I can apply the glaze on thickly without worry. Aqua libre is a gorgeous aqua blue crackly glaze that reminds me a bit of the the color of the ocean in the Carribean or something.

Sales have been a little slow on Etsy for the past week and I wonder if I should change my strategy a little bit. I need to gauge other people’s opinions on whether or not I should try a different way to sell ceramic jewelry online. I have 3 different cords/chains in the works; black satin cord with sterling findings, sleek stainless steel cable and crocheted silver wire chain. Obviously each costs me different amounts of money and time to make. So I was thinking, I could sell the pendants and chains separately and if someone just wants the pendant, they could purchase the ceramic piece alone at a lower cost than the whole necklace. If they want a chain or cord to go along with it, they could purchase it separately. Anyway, let me know what you think - I would really appreciate it!

To get around selling jewelry at the Summer Art Market this coming weekend, I am going to be offering free shipping again on all the jewelry in my Etsy Shop on June 9th and 10th.. I’ve also crafted some buttons and magnets that I can sell at the market so that I have some items in an affordable price range.

Thanks again everyone,

Note: My apologies, I had to reconfigure the poll vote counter because it was acting up….