Monday, July 31, 2006

Betty Woodman at the Met



I finally saw the Betty Woodman show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last week, during the final week there. Seeing this show was remarkable on several levels. First, Woodman's show is the first one of its kind; a one person show of American ceramics at the Met. Her work is mature, confident and beautiful. Influenced by many historic ceramic styles, Etruscan, Greek, and others as well as architectural fragments, which she combines in relief and sculptural forms based on the vase. As an artist who has embraced painting in ceramics, I am moved and inspired by her work and inovation.

The second important factor, for me, is my relationship with Woodman. I worked for her in 1986 while I was a graduate student at the School of Visual Arts in New York and as such had the opportunity to get to know her and her husband George, also an accomplished artist. The Woodmans are amazing people - inspiring, committed, traveled and enlightened.

I am thrilled to have been a part of their lives and to have seen this exhibition, a tribute to an American master.

technorati tags: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Sustainability

Udon bowls

What is sustainability? What does a thriving human race look like on this planet? How can we shift to a more responsible way of being, budgeting natural resources and becoming more environmentally and socially conscious? One aspect of living gently on the earth includes making in artisinal studios. Crafts, art. Our stuff is important. Where we get it, how it is made and by whom, impact not only our homes, but our neighbors as well. If we look to acquire new things from the local potter, weaver, quilter, painter, woodworker, basket maker, we not only live in a more unique environment formed by discreet choices, we also affect the economy in a gentler way. Buying goods from small makers, small in scale yet big in concept, then the social aspect of acquiring takes on a different tone. Seth Godin's new book, Small is the New Big is worth a look to understand how this idea can truly impact business and a curated life. So many levels, so much possibility...

technorati tags: , , , ,

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

and now, for something completely different...




technorati tags:

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Blogging potters

I am trying to be in touch with other potters who have taken the leap into the blogsphere. I have a new catagory on my links column "blogging potters". I have 3 so far, and I know there are a few more than that, so if you are a potter or know one who is currently blogging regularly, let me know. I will post a link on my side bar.

I like the idea of guilds, of ways for artists to organize, know each other, share inspiration, ideas, resources and such. A kind of open source community for the arts, specifically here, perhaps, for the ceramically inclined.

Historically, potters have been a somewhat low key group, often keeping studio discoveries, glaze and clay formulas and other epiphanies derived from hours of scrupulous work, a bit close to the vest. I hope the 21st century might evolve us into a more open group more inclined to sharing knowledge, which can move the entire process forward.

I love looking at these potters blogs. It is exciting to have a glimpse into the fresh work of other artists, hot out of the kiln, so to speak and to glimpse the ideas and sentiments which inspire us all to move forward.

technorati tags: , , , ,

Friday, July 07, 2006

Summer Flowers



I moved to the country 6 years ago from a concrete jungle and am finally starting to get more comfortable with growing things. Kind of weird, because I always grew things in the city, but somehow up here, it is a bit, well, overwhelming. Everything grows everywhere! Not to mention my husband likes weeds. He is a botanist and just wants to see what happens to nature unimpeded. We've reached a bit of a happy medium and here are a few blossoms from this week's floral explosion.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Amanda Unboomed


Very sad announcement yesterday that Amanda Congdon is leaving Rocketboom. Rumors are flying, was she fired? Did she quit? All I know is that I will miss her at RB, but probably something interesting will arise from the mess. Check out this episode with my cup on the set-

Monday, July 03, 2006

Craft Work

Rob Walker published a great article in the New York Times yesterday about the rising craft phenonenon, as I like to say, artists making art for a living. From the article-

"many craft consumers have borderline sociopolitical motives, seeking in these alternatives to mass-produced, corporate-made goods not just something unique but also a product with no murky labor or environmental-impact back story."

Walker also mentions Craftster, an independent website dedicated to crafting, which is largly associated with the soft arts, yarn and fabric and sewing and such, but does indeed include all things made by hand, preferably well.

Glad to see the Times and Rob Walker in particular on this story. Could just turn out to be the story of the century. ..

technorati tags: , , ,

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Mad in the press


Very nice mention of Greenjeans, Brooklyn in this month's Old-House Interiors. Lucky me, they used this great shot of my plates, styled beautifully by Sibella Court. Thank you Amy and Sibella!

technorati tags: , , , ,