Painting It: 2007

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Special Custom Pottery

Over the last 2 weeks or so I have had a few special orders for custom mugs and teapots.

This teapot is embellished with calligraphy. The unique shape of the teapot really lends itself to the liturgical theme.

These are two matching mugs depicting

two specific horses. It it always a challenge to portray an individual like this, and it is gratifying when the work turns out to not only look good, but to have captured something really recognizable that is unique to that personality. Apparently that was the case here!

This is a special order teapot, that will be followed in the next few days by some other matching pieces, not yet completed.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Kitchen Backsplash Continued

Here is an interesting interlude. This is the final section of the back splash yet to be fired!
It will go behind the stove.
This is what under glaze painted ceramic looks like while I am painting...The colours are sort of recognizable, but they are mainly shades of grey and pastel...the ceramic painter has to always keep in mind the colours as they will be when fired! Yikes! Its a knack...I have learned to just plain remember, and I also rely on fired sample tiles I have made that show actual little blobs of the colours, and I have printed stuff from the paint manufacturers- some are more accurate than others...I try to be very accurate! Sometimes its hard not to get fooled by whats in front of your eyes...its easy to forget for a moment that the work isn't going to be all soft and pastel. Some big metaphors for the enigma of human existence there.

Then of course, the firing not only brings up the real colours, it softens and blends them, and can even move them around a little. That's almost the best part: the Chaos. The kiln is a big player here.

Tile Backsplash Project

In the midst of all the mug and teapot and plate painting
for the Christmas shopping period, I have also been working on this kitchen tile backsplash project.
In these first pictures you can see my ideas on paper, and some of the supporting materials for the project: kitchen design elevation plans, fabric and cabinet finish samples, etc.
The cabinets are a lovely light lime green colour...and one of the fabrics features alligators, flamingos, lizards, etc, all of which the clients were delighted to see featured in my tile artwork.

Here are some of the finnished tiles. The will run all around the countertops, on the 3 walls of the kitchen, in segments. Some of the areas are only 3 or 4 tiles long, some are much longer; and although most of the tiles are 6''x6'', the section under a window will be made of 4, 1/4'' tiles.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Atomic Holiday Bazaar, December 11: A Big Success!

Well, dear readers and lookers...as you can see, I have not been a busy blogger...but I have been a busy maker.
This event, December 11th, was a terrific success, really interesting and very well attended. There was a line 0f 150 people outside the door when it opened, and that line stayed pretty much the same size for the next 3 hours....it was PACKED inside!

It was a mob. A blur.

I was so sad when it was over!

I cant wait til next year.

There were some wonderful outfits, and lots of good displays, but I never had time to take any decent pictures. Even most of the pictures I took of my own stuff were all blurry and badly composed.

It was a lot of fun to be in the room with a lot of other like minded creative people.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Pottery For Atomic Holiday Bazaar

I have been thinking a little about my display for The Atomic Holiday Bazaar, December 9th..

.

http://www.atomicholidaybazaar.com/.

I like the way the pottery looks on the black velvet. Last year I displayed my ceramics on my hand painted fabrics, and it was a little busy. I liked it, but I think it was a bit of an eye full for everyone else.... (click on the link to Atomic Holiday Bazaar at the end of this post to see what I mean...)