Nesting

It's been raining non-stop in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am inclined to cozy in, bake stuff and watch reality TV. But off to the studio I go and the foul weather has inspired to make these sets of nesting bowls. What better thing to do on a rainy day, other than sitting in front to the fireplace with a fresh batch of these cookies?

Blackboards and chalk

Way back in January I took a workshop from Sandy Simon and Bob Brady at Trax Gallery. Bob taught us a great technique that I am calling "reverse mishima". You coat greenware with black underglaze and bisque. Then coat the piece in white slip and with a etching/drawing tool draw through the slip to the black. I have gone one step further and am also painting black underglaze on the white bisque and etching through this. The line is scratchy and I am loving it. For some reason this striped oval vase reminded me of notebook paper - so I added some alphabet lettering. I didn't glaze the outside. I left the underglaze exposed. I like the way the chalky dry surface looks like an old school black board.

New Work

Spring is in the air and finally I have some photos of some of the work I've been making.
Why is it so difficult to take those pictures?

It's just the last step in a very long process. It's one that only takes a minute. For me it is so great to have a reference of what I have done over the years as my work changes so rapidly. Sometimes I can even get in-inspired. But somehow taking a photo always slips by the way side...sometimes it's too late. A piece can long since have left the building and try a I may I can't remember how I made it.

At any rate I dragged some of my new pieces up to the loft in our studio which is set up with photo lights and gear. I just loaded my Etsy shop with the results - including these pieces in my continuing Birch Tree Series.
I hope you like what you see.