Monday, December 3, 2012

Common Threads



As I reflect on what I have learned this year, I cannot help but recall a quote that I heard long ago and that still holds true:

"There is one thing we do know: that man is here for the sake of other men - above all for those upon whose smiles and well-being our own happiness depends--And also for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy." - Albert Einstein

When we really look at the world around us and the people who inhabit it, we are reminded that in the end we are all bound by "common threads" and must be here to assist each other.  An important reminder.

The video below is from one of my favorite television shows "Northern Exposure" that deals with the theme of "Common Threads".


Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Creative Process: Art Documentaries



This is a collection of art documentaries that explore the creative processes and philosophies of artists working in various art mediums.

Please click on the images below to watch the featured documentaries:

1. Rivers and Tides (Andy Goldsworthy)




2. Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child




3. What Remains: The Life and Work of Sally Mann




Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Zygote (Joel) Blum - Ceramics Monthly



My good friend, fellow potter, and former studio mate Joel Blum has been making amazing ceramic artwork for years.  His use of stenciled designs on ceramics has been a favorite of mine.







I was extremely excited when I heard the news that Joel's stencil technique was featured on page 18 and 19 of November's issue of Ceramics Monthly.  Well deserved recognition indeed.  :)

If you are a subscriber of Ceramics Monthly please click the image below to see Joel's featured technique in the November issue.  If you are not a subscriber, be sure to pick up a copy.





To see more of Joel's ceramic work feel free to follow his blog, which can be accessed by clicking the image below.




Congratulations Joel.  :D

Monday, September 10, 2012

Building Block Sculptures





My latest Speedrun video features the Installation of Building Block Sculptres.  Thank you for viewing.




My pvc wall-hanging building block sculptures are finished drying!  I recently finished the next phase of my series Building Blocks and Childhood Structures.  I thoroughly enjoyed utilizing the plastic pvc foam as an art material.  The pvc foam's light weight nature and ability to hold lithographic ink has been amazing.





Layering the wall-hanging building block pieces incorporates a three dimensional element to the work and increases the complexity of the color relationships.  Also, because the pieces are rearrangeable, one can create numerous unique arrangements.





I am looking forward to experimenting with the scale and placement of the wall-hanging building block sculptures.  This project has truly given birth to new concepts.  This is just the beginning.  :)

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

"Light Is Light"





"Light is knowledge.  Light is life.  Light is light." - Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider

The above quote is one of my favorites used in a scene from one of my favorite television series: Northern Exposure.

What does "light" mean to you?




Thursday, August 9, 2012

Ceramic Art: Musing About Mud Video Collection





Musing About Mud is an amazing blog by artist Carole Epp that shares art opportunities, content pertaining to ceramic art, and the creative power within each of us.  Highly Recommended.

Here is a link to the Musing About Mud Video Collection.  Enjoy.  :)

Here is a sample of the video collection:  Ceramic Artist Lucie Rie




Thursday, August 2, 2012

Summer Printmaking Project




My latest Speedrun video featuring my Custom Monoprint Demonstration.  Thank you for viewing.



Printing...printing...printing...the process of printmaking is a physical one that allows the artist to get fully involved and enjoy the "intimacy" of working with this process.





Touching and making contact with the material is an important facet to making both ceramics and prints, which is why I love both of these forms of art.  In many ways ceramics and printmaking are intrinsically linked by their "intimate process".





Layering ink directly onto the surface of pvc foam creates a bright and highly pigmented surface that reflects the viewers' gaze (although a bit blurry) back at his/herself, something that intrigues me and that I love. Introspective indeed.





The amazing versatility of using the pvc foam plates as a printing template as well as for sculpture lends itself to infinite possibilities. Repetition, Shape, Size/Scale, color, and even light become avenues for breeding new ideas or stirring old ones that we love.

Once the layering of ink is complete, it is time to let the work dry. The drying period for these works can take upwards of one to two months depending on the layering of ink and the time of year/humidity, etc.





These pvc wall-hanging pieces are breeding new ideas for new projects. These projects include using porcelain and black clay to make wall-hanging pieces implementing my main material and artistic love...CERAMICS. :)