Pottery talk

As an artist, one of my favorite things to do is to totally nerd out and talk pots with someone who is equally passionate about them. Well, Ron Philbeck and I did just that this past week; we posted our conversation on YouTube so you could join in on our conversation. We're both making new work, so it's pretty exciting....(if I may say so!)

Check it out here:

Ron and Amy interview

For some reason, I couldn't get the video to post directly to the blog (blogger wasn't finding the video on YouTube). Hopefully I'll figure it out and get it on this page tomorrow.

New low-fire work!!

For the last few months I've been testing low-fire glazes and terra sigilattas for new colors and surfaces to use on my work (I'll track back and talk more about this process at a later time). Here's the most recent result: new work headed to Houston for a show during NCECA with my pals from our Thrown Together group (Julie Wiggins, Ron Philbeck and Jen Mecca).  

heading to Houston

I'm really excited about all the potential new colors and finishes. After testing over 60 new colors, chooshing a palette has become daunting, but also exhilarating. I'm not used to so many choices! They'll get pared down over the next few weeks...

handbuilt serving bowl

some applique bowls

coffee server and mugs

tiny preggy vases

thrown and altered vases

a little handled serving dish

Updated Events

Hey all! After a loooong respite from my blog, I'm back.....hopefully! Just updated the events section for this winter and spring. Please check back soon for a real post with pictures!

Exciting news!

No, I'm not pregnant again (although based on the past few years of my life, that would be a fair guess)! I have an instructional DVD coming out! The wonderful Potter's Council invited me up to their headquarters in Columbus, OH this past summer to record some of my techniques. Over the course of a few days we prepped, filmed and laughed a lot. The gang up there is great!

The DVD is organized to cover 5 different surface techniques and then 5 corresponding projects, along with multiple variations of each.
The Ceramic Arts Daily site recently featured a sample clip from the dvd. Check it out here.

Sneak Peak

Here are a few of the pieces featured in the show Inhabitants and Happenstance at Lark and Key Gallery in South End (Charlotte, NC). It runs through the end of May, but the opening is tonight from 6-9:00. Come on out if you're in the area!

For additional pictures, check this out....

March shows

March will be quite a month for there there pottery. I've been working on new work in the studio for some shows coming up:

There are some new low-fire bowls of mine being featured in a multi-media group show at Gallery Up in Rock Hill, SC called ARPA:Raw. 8 other artists will have work in clay, painting, printmaking, and installation. The show opens tomorrow (Thursday, March 10) at 7:00.

A sugar/creamer set much like the one below is being featured in the Mad Hatter's Exhibition at the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach Florida. Sales from the exhibition help fund their residency program, so if you're in the area, stop by and purchase some pots for a good cause!

Meanwhile, at Craftsman House Gallery in St. Petersburg, FL, I will be participating in an exciting show, The Art of Function, with many talented potters that is taking place during NCECA. So, if you're down for the conference, visiting or live in the area- check out the show (I think it's even on one of the bus tours for NCECA)!
Here are some of the pieces in the show...


I will also be delivering work at the end of the month to Lark and Key Gallery for a dual show with the glorious/magical painter Duy Huynh. The show opens April 1 and runs through the end of May. More details of this to follow...

*This entry is featured on my friend Jessa's blog, Happily Home Sewn, as a Peek of the Week. Check out her blog- it features all her beautifully sewn goodies (mostly for kiddos), two sweet sweet boys and crafty goodness. Thanks Jessa!

Happenings on Dade St.

Yes, yes. I've been away for some time. There's been plenty going on in the studio, but not much computer action. Blogging time has been a bit (happily) distracted by this guy:

....and this rotten (but totally sweet) little guy:

My goal is to jump back in the blogging saddle and update more often...we'll see how that goes! Onto the studio action:
In January, I spent a good bit of time "freshening" up my stamp collection. I have over 200-300 stamps in my "vocabulary" of imagery, but typically only end up using about 20 or so with any regularity. This new round has been one of the best and the results have been very inspiring. Here's a quick preview of a new way that the stamps have been appearing on the pots in a form of "stamp applique."
I'm really excited about the potential of this new surface and am anxious to see these pieces fired through glaze. They may need a whole new clay body and glaze surface (GASP!). We'll see...

6th Annual Potters Market Invitational

This Saturday from 10-4:00, the Delhom Society of the Mint Museum of Art will be hosting their Potters Market of over 40 potters from all over North Carolina. I am honored and excited to be part of this amazing event as one of the presenting potters!

For the past few months I have been working like crazy (once my two little boys are in bed) to produce work- I'll have many everyday functional items from cups, mugs, bowls and serving pieces, as well as some specialty pieces for presentation and serving such as sculptural bowls, teapots, jars, etc.

Bisqueware backup from a couple of weeks ago (thanks to mom, Carrie, Erin and especially Brian for all the help!):

My teapots got a fresh look with some new handles that seem to "fit" the form much more nicely than my old ones.

Closeup of a large rectangular serving bowl form:
New jars with a snazzy knob:
New sugar and creamers waiting for the remainder of their glaze:

One of the days I had a very special helper in the studio. Guthrie was quite focused during his "glazing" session. Check out that lip!
"All done!"
Please stop by and see me this Saturday at the Mint!

Surprise and inspiration

Yesterday a fun surprise came in the mail: an envelope containing a book from the American Ceramic Society. At first I thought, "Uh oh. Did I unknowingly order something while sleep-surfing on the internet after some late night feeding?" (heck-I have been known to be a mess at times- case in point: the other day I got Guthrie out of bed after a nap only to discover that I had left his shoes on. Oops.) Anyway, it turns out that I received this complimentary copy because they had used the article of mine from a prior "Pottery Making Illustrated" in the book. My lesson on creating a quilted wall piece is one of the chapters amongst some other great projects. You can check out the book here.

I am a bit of a thrift store junkie and often come across some real gems on the cheap. Value Village is one of my local favorites (although I think it's a chain, you may have this treasure chest somewhere near you too!) and never fails to provide some of the best finds; yesterday's trip there with the boys was no exception. I always have my eye out for handmade items and found this beautiful crocheted blanket for $1.50!!! It fit perfectly on our mission-style chair, that was originally my grandparents, and created an easy instant "reupholstering" job. This blanket is also a perfect example of what inspires me to create what I do with clay. The repetition of the flowers, the actual and implied texture, and the colors mirror what I often like to accomplish in my work. I only wish I could let the maker of this lovely blanket know that it now has a much appreciated home!

Upcoming shows and events

I'm excited to have some work in a couple of shows that are opening this Friday. At Pottery 101 in Salisbury, NC, you'll find an exhibition featuring the work of Ron Philbeck, Jen Mecca, Julie Wiggins, and me. We'll be heading up there for the opening (sans the kiddos); it should be a good time. Come by and visit if you can!

In Durham, at Claymakers Studio and Gallery, you'll discover "Folded, Fitted, Printed and Pinched"- a show of handbuilt pots by Laura Avery, Liz Zlot Summerfield, Susan Feagan, Shawn Ireland, Barbara McKenzie and yours truly. It will run from May 21-July 10. Stop by and check it out- they also have a great studio there at Claymakers, with a wide variety of classes and workshops.

While I've been back to teaching at Clayworks, I've been excited to start "filling" my calendar this summer and fall with some workshop (more details to follow once they get completely confirmed). The soonest one is a two part project-based workshop, "Not your granny's fine china," at the Women Centered Art Co-op here in Charlotte. We'll be making a serving tray over the course of two separate classes: June 6th and June 27th from 1-3. You can read more about it and register here. (please forgive the bad picture of only bisqued pots)