Quoth the Raven

The Wonderful World of Ceramics

In the past I had a pretty narrow view of pottery and all that it represented, often assuming that anything made with clay would ultimately resemble a canister set with a typically standard - often boring - glaze design, but all that has changed. Well, actually the field of ceramics probably hasn't changed as much as my perception of it has, especially when viewing ancient pottery from China and Japan whose styles still influence potters today and are very much desired by art collectors throughout the world, including myself.

After completing my second quarter of ceramics, I have thus found that in this new era potters are getting creative and exploring many new diverse ways to design, glaze and fire pottery and one such Washington Potter who is leading the way is Bryan McGriff who works with Crystalline Glazes. I participated in a three part workshop last month and his work is extraordinary!

On the first day Bryan took us through the basics; showing us - the group - how he takes a few lumps of clay and turns them into bowls, vases, mugs and plates. I was impressed with just how clean his work area remained during and after the throwing phase, unlike myself who refuses to work without a full length apron that prevents me from leaving the studio covered from head to toe in clay!

He also discussed in great detail the particular clay he uses, preferring the porcelains which allow the effects of the crystalline glaze to have a greater impact on the finished piece. This glaze also has a tendency to run so he will construct tray-like forms that support the piece and collect any glaze drips, which prevent the glaze from damaging the shelves in his kiln - I told you he was devoted to cleanliness! The most aspect of using crystalline glazes is the firing technique which requires the heat level of the kiln to be accurately controlled and cooled down slowly which he achieves by using a computerised control on his kiln.

The second part of the workshop was held at Bryan's studio with Bryan focusing on trimming the pieces he made during the first workshop and we were able to glaze our own pieces with the crystalline glaze and then Bryan fired them. The third and final workshop was all about collecting our finished pieces. It was a thoroughly interesting workshop and truly inspiring!

* Just for clarification, this is one of Bryan's finished pieces, not mine.

The Potters Wheel

After only 2 quarters in the potters studio, I am hooked! I still remember my first night in class and how much I detested the fact that I would have to get my hands dirty trying to manipulate all that clay AND now I am eager for it. Apart from being a rewarding experience turning a lump of clay into a wonderful piece of pottery, I am also finding that it is a great stress reliever.

Now I have to admit that I made a lot of bowls that ended up as useless little pieces that now clutter my basement, but as the old adage goes, 'Practice makes perfect' and I have to say that I am finally feeling like a potter!

The vase here was originally intended to resemble a cylinder - ok, so I am not a potter yet - but as an accident it turned out quite nice, don't you think? This piece has been raku fired which takes about 40 minutes rather than the usual couple of days. Surprisingly enough, I was really impressed with the finished product and it now resides on my mantle.

Quote for the day

Black is like the silence of the body after death, the close of life.

-- Wassily Kandinsky, 1911

The funny thing about art and my appreciation for it, is that my preference for various pieces changes like the wind. Looking at this bold piece by Kandinsky I find it utterly amazing, and I love his use of dark lines and color to bring balance to the image. On my initial observation of this piece it was totally chaotic, but now I can see that Kandinsky knew exactly what he was doing when applying a brush stroke here, and a distinct line there. This painting speaks to me of someone who has a passionate lust for life. However, only a month ago when viewing this piece I thought it was.... well actually I didn't think anything about it - meaning I avoided it like the plague. It just didn't interest me at all. Now, after 4 weeks of art appreciation class, my taste has changed and this now been added to my favorites list.

Oh, for the love of art.

Art is in the eye of the Yelper

This was the caption for my latest e-newsletter from my favorite directory on the web - Yelp - and I found it appropriate being that I am currently doing a course in Art Appreciation this quarter. Of course, I may have chosen this class for a couple of reasons; one was out of an interesting in Art and the other was out of a need for an easier class. Now don't get me wrong. I am in no way looking to cruise through college courses but 2006 had been a tough year in the classroom and I guess I was feeling a little burned out. Also, Joel had surgery to repair a ruptured distal tendon in his bicep in December, and I knew I would need to commit some time to taking care of him.

So back to the Arts and the difficult class that I have signed on for this quarter. The workload is absolutely crazy and it is really only an elective class! The online class began on a Monday and we had to take a 3 hr revision exam by 9pm on the Wednesday. Can you believe it? I may have read the required chapters for the week, but in no way did I feel confident to take a 3 hr exam on the material. I began to tell myself that it must consist of multiple choice questions, but again I was wrong. It was made up of essay questions, questions that force you to find artwork that relates to certain techniques and styles, AND interpreting various pieces chosen by the professor. Well, I came, I saw and I conquered, and I managed to complete the exam and scored 33/35 - so maybe there is a hidden artist within me.

* Artwork - 'I and the Village' by Marc Chagall

 

The Artist - Natalie Niblack

Let me introduce you to Natalie Niblack. Well, actually this isn't Natalie but it is just one of her inspiring creations. I studied under Natalie when I decided to take on my first Art class in college; Drawing to be exact. She was an awesome instructor and managed to help me see exactly what I was made of, and I have to tell you that I was managed to achieve alot more than I initially thought possible - by applying myself and working really, really hard.

Looking at this sketch now - after the 3 month course - I am even more amazed at her patience and attention to detail. This sketch was accomplished with the use of graphite and a hell of a lot of time. This may look like a small piece in this little window but most of her sketches are done in life size format. Yes, life size as in 5 ft. I, myself, find it extremely difficult to stay focused for long periods of time but after being in Natalie's class and having to spend 3 hours sketching a nude, it does get easier.

Edvard Munch's Scream has finally been returned!

On August 22, 2004 the Munch Museum's Scream was stolen at gunpoint, along with Munch's Madonna. Museum officials expressed hope that they would see the painting again, theorizing that perhaps the thieves would seek ransom money. On April 8, 2005, Norwegian police arrested a suspect in connection with the theft. On April 28, 2005, it was rumored that the two paintings had been burned by the thieves to conceal evidence. On June 1, 2005, the City Government of Oslo offered a reward of 2 million kroner (about USD $320,000) for information that could help locate the paintings.

In early 2006, six men with previous criminal records were scheduled to go on trial, variously charged with either helping to plan or execute the robbery. Three of the men were convicted and sentenced to between four and eight years in prison in May of 2006. Two of the convicted art thieves, Bjørn Hoen and Petter Tharaldsen, were also ordered to pay 750 million kroner (US $122 million) to the City of Oslo, which is where the paintings were previously located. The Munch Museum itself was closed for 10 months for a $6 million security overhaul.

Upcoming Artist Exhibition

Mark Moody's 'Investigation X-2' will be on display at the Shoreline Community College from September 6 - October 30, 2006.

The Artist reception will commence on October 14th from 2-5pm.

Mark Moody combines art and science to come up with some really interesting photographic images.

For more information go here.

Graffitti or not to be - that is the question

Let me introduce you to Banksy. No, Banksy is not the rat sketched on the side of this building. Bansky is the artist who's artwork is displayed on the building. Bansky the man has been the center of a little controversy surrounding his gift.

What do we call this? Is it Art of Graffitti? As most people well known you certainly do not have to admire works by the likes of Van Gogh or Monet or even Picasso. As the saying goes 'Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder'. Well, I think the same can be said for Art as the appreciation of Art is surely in the eyes of that beholder who decides that it is art and something to be admired.

Now anyone knows what Graffitti looks like. Or do they? For me the word Graffitti summons up ghastly images of huge words sprawled wrecklessly destroying the appeal of a fences, homes and walls wherever there is space to spray, and minimal light in order to remain discreet while  defacing someone else's property. But I do not see this as I view this guys creations. His work only enhances the street appeal - without the assistance of garish advertising billboards.

Another brick in the wall...

More Graffitti Art by Bansky

The Artist Within

I have always loved Art in all it's glory and it's varied forms - pen & ink, charcoal, oils & acrylics. I love the colours and the rich textures that a mere mortal can create if they have some talent, training and a wealth of inspiration. Oh, and did I mention plenty of time on their hands? Yeh, an Artist definitely needs time to create a masterpiece.

Well, I definitely do not call myself an Artist but since beginning Art 105 - Drawing only 5 weeks ago, and the demands placed on the average student with the many projects I must complete, I will most likely be an Artist when the quarter comes to an end.

Admittedly, the first 4 weeks were fraught with much frustration but I think I am beginning to see the light...and also have some confidence in my abilities. I guess it also helps that I am getting top marks in the class.

So we started with basic pencil sketches - in contour and gesture drawings. Moved onto perspectives and values with ink wash & charcoal, we have studied negative space, and trying to train the eye to draw what we see as opposed to what we want to see in the frame. On thursday we will be working with conte crayon and nearing the end of the quarter I will be trying my hand at figure drawing - with a live model. Now that should be interesting?

* Artwork - Hilaire-Germain-Edgar Degas, French (1834 - 1917)
                     After the Bath, Woman Drying Her Hair, c. 1893-1898
                Charcoal and brown chalk on pale pink wove paper
                49.7 cm. x 64.4 cm., actual
                Fogg Art Museum, Bequest of Meta and Paul J. Sachs, 1965.257