Already Registered? Please sign in.
November 11, 2009
Let’s Talk Function: Two Potters Discuss Making Handmade Pottery for Use
Today we are presenting an excerpt from the December 2009 issue of Ceramics Monthly in which several potters included in the 2009 Strictly Functional Pottery National discuss what functional pottery means to them and the qualities necessary to make their utilitarian work successful.November 9, 2009
Focus: Pots and Function Several potters included in the 2009 Strictly Functional Pottery National discuss their pieces in the exhibition-from teapots to egg trays, from the kitchen to the living room, from concept to execution-and the qualities necessary to make those pieces successful. Function can mean different things to different people, and these potters all bring something insightful to the table.November 5, 2009
I use one tool everyday, on every pot or sculpture, whether I made it or not. This pervasive tool is critical analysis, and I use it to assess the pot I am currently throwing, the work I made yesterday and the work I made years ago.October 7, 2009
Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pennsylvania: From Ceramics Monthly’s MFA Factor
Students in the graduate ceramics program at Edinboro University are expected to develop a strong individual direction, whether it is in ceramic sculpture or functional pottery. Our extensive facility provides all methods of firing and studio access 24 hours a day.October 7, 2009
Those pots have something wrong with them and are thus not for sale. Since there is something wrong with them, and each bear my name, it would cost a large amount of money to convince me to let them out that door. It would be much cheaper for you to wait until I made a bowl that I am happy with.October 7, 2009
My studio is the main perk associated with my position as visiting artist in the ceramics program at the University of Louisville. The setting is urban and industrial, with the constant rumble of planes landing and trains passing by. I have a large private space (10 × 27 feet) that opens into the main ceramics studio classroom.September 30, 2009
October 2009 is brimming with great ceramics events and I am presenting some highlights here. Enjoy browsing through the beautiful images presented and, if possible, get out to see the work or attend a workshop in person!September 22, 2009
Focus: Gallery Guide Find a partner, or find inspiration through all the great work ceramics galleries are representing. Making significant work does not require a successful business plan—but the chances of enough people seeing your work to recognize it as significant are greatly improved if you have one. The most successful plans often involve outlets beyond the studio—like galleries, websites, and stores (ideally all of the above), so you can focus on making work. Yes, these are business agreements, but they are usually more successful if approached as a partnership—a team, if you will, where everyone is invested in the process and works toward collective success.September 21, 2009
A Virtual Studio Tour: A Glimpse Into the Work and Lives of Two Ceramic Artists
If you're like me, and enjoy visiting other artists in there studios, you will love today's post. It comes from new series of articles in Ceramics Monthly, which can basically be thought of as studio visits in print. And you can think of today's excerpt as virtual studio visits to potter Jeff Campana's and ceramic sculptor Patsy Cox's studios.September 18, 2009
It’s Gravy! How to Throw a Visually Pleasing and Functionally Sound Sauce Boat on the Pottery Wheel
In today's video clip, potter Robin Hopper demonstrates throwing a simple sauce boat on the potters wheel, while discussing the aesthetic and functional issues that go into its design. Watch the video now!September 11, 2009
Handle Pulling Video: Tony Clennell Demonstrates How to Pull Great Looking Handles for Pottery
In an excerpt from his DVD Get a Handle on It, potter Tony Clennell shares his expert advice on handle pulling. Tony shows us that, with a little practice and patience, great-looking pulled handles are within any potter's grasp. Watch the video!August 26, 2009
The Month in Clay: September 2009
There are a lot of great ceramics-related events - workshops, exhibitions, even some ceramic diplomacy - this September. Have a look at those highlighted here and if you don’t find anything happening in your area, click over to the Ceramics Monthly Calendar for more listings of clay-related events.August 24, 2009
Today potter Dan Gegen explains how he begins working with texture before the construction process even begins, and therefore makes it integral to the design of the pot. He also shares the glaze recipe for the lovely celadon-esque glaze featured on the pot to the left.August 18, 2009
Finding Your VoiceJeffrey NicholsMaster craftsman Jeffrey Nichols talks about Finding Your Voice by developing your techniques and your ideas. over a period of time. He demonstrates his accumulated skills by sharing his technique for making a faceted teapot and using his unique decorating technique of layered underglazes. To view his teapot spout technique, check out the video.August 13, 2009
Down to Earth: Joseph Pintz’s Hand-Hewn Pots
Oval boxes, to 12 in. (30 cm) in length, handbuilt earthenware, fired to cone 02 in an electric kiln, 2008. Nesting bowls, to 12½ in. (32 cm) in diameter, handbuilt earthenware, fired to cone 02 in an electric kiln, 2008. Ricer, 13 in. (33) in length, handbuilt earthenware, terra sigillata and washes, fired to cone 02 in an electric kiln, 2009. Ridged Press, 7.5 in. (19 ...August 12, 2009
NCECA 2009 Regional Student Juried Exhibition
Bent tray, 23 in. (58 cm) in length, by David Eichelberger, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Orb Cluster, 15 in. (38 cm) in height, by Amanda Pless, Arizona State University. Childbearing Hips, 18 in. (46 cm) in height, by Shenny Cruces, San Francisco State University. Set of Shells 1, each approximately 2 in. (5 cm) in diameter, by Duncan Tweed, Northern Arizona University. ...August 12, 2009
Timo Fahler, Kansas City Art Institute: CM 2009 Undergraduate Showcase
Layered Archetype B, 17 in. (43 cm) in height, slip cast and thrown porcelain, stoneware, black underglaze, fired to cone 10 in reduction. Porcelain Archetype, 35 in. (89 cm) in height, slip cast, press molded porcelain, fired to cone 10 in reduction. My recent work investigates the interplay between the interior architecture of an object and the exterior surface it projects. My intention is to create visceral sculptures that expose the elegance of their skin while revealing the complexity of their anatomy. Utilizing a variety of textures allows me to ...August 12, 2009
Momoyama Liquor Set, 10 in. (25 cm) in width, thrown, altered, and assembled stoneware (with cellulose fiber, nut shells, feldspar chips, and grog) and porcelain, soda-fired, 2008. Double Condiment, 12 ½ in. (32 cm) in length, thrown, altered, and assembled stoneware (with cellulose fiber, nut shells, feldspar chips and grog) and porcelain, soda-fired, 2009. I produce functional ceramic ware that has been inspired by my wilderness travels throughout Canada. These trips have produced an interest in natural processes and materials. As a result, my work is often about the methods used to form and ...August 12, 2009
Brenda Danbrook, The Australian National University: CM 2009 Undergraduate Showcase
Composition of Eight, 16 in. (41 cm) in height (tallest), wheel-thrown stoneware, iron glaze, soda fired to cone 10. Composition of Fourteen, 16 in. (14 cm) in height (tallest), wheel-thrown stoneware and porcelain, wax resist glaze and soda glaze, fired to cone 10. Finding art within functional pottery has become my passion. I begin a piece by considering the shape, rims, and space, with rhythmic patterns creating relationships between forms. When people see my work, I’d like them to see confident, considered, elegant forms with engaging relationships developed through arrangement ...August 12, 2009
Ice bucket, 16 in. (41 cm) in height, soda-fired porcelain, 2009. Serving bowl, 14 in. (36 cm) in diameter, soda-fired porcelain, 2008. While at Sheridan College my focus has been to explore as much technique and process as possible. The challenging method of soda firing has captured my attention. The random atmosphere and the dynamic glazes lend themselves to creating wheel thrown, altered, and hand-built forms that highlight this technique. My personal interest in the outdoors and traveling allows me to draw visual inspiration from both nature and architecture. ...August 12, 2009
Angee Verzani-Dorcey, University of South Dakota: CM 2009 Undergraduate Showcase
3-Tier Cake, 15 in. (38 cm) in height, stoneware with slips and glaze, fired to cone 10, 2009. Bread tray, 18 in. (46 cm) in length, stoneware with slips and glaze, fired to cone 10, 2009. Conceptually, it is my intention to physically preserve a celebration, capture a moment, and honor the functional form. The works I create are artifacts that intuitively evoke cherished memories, rituals, and special occasions that we experience throughout life. I desire the journey of clay and possess a passion for functional ware and ...April 24, 2009
Emerging Ceramic Artist to Watch: Ryan Olsen, Red Lodge, Montana
I am investigating how we experience what we are attracted to. This experience is multifaceted, involving an awareness of nature, various cultures and histories, and a connection to ceramic vessels. I do this with the understanding that visual and physical attraction are both different than our experience of beauty.December 20, 2008
An Australian–born potter living in Japan discusses his collaborations with chefs to create ware specifically designed for the presentation and enjoyment of food.December 1, 2008
The Month in Clay - December 2008
It's holiday sale season, and ceramics should be on everyone's list (for those on your list who already have plenty of your ceramics, perhaps it's time to expand their collection with something from one of the great holiday sales going on this month. There are kiln openings, studio sales, museum events and much more. Below are several ceramics events and exhibitions happening in December, but if you don't find anything happening in your area, click over to the Ceramics Monthly Calendar for a more comprehensive listing. — Sherman Hall, Ceramic Arts Daily
