Sharon Ho: Surface Stories

Posted on August 14, 2016August 14, 2016 Posted in Ceramics, Island Reports, Studio NewsTagged Artists Studio Tour, ceramics, Felt and Ceramics Studio Shop, handbuilding, handmadeliving, OIceramist, OptimismandCo, Orcas Island, Orcasceramics, pierced, potteryonorcas, wearableart

Next weekend, Aug 19-21, come and see what I have been up to in the Felt + Ceramics Studio at 109 North Beach Road, in the heart of Eastsound! The annual Orcas Island Artists’ Open Studio Tour 2016 is an incredible way to catch up with 29 of the many artists on Orcas Island, and treat yourself to a visual and sensual creative feast.

Meanwhile, here is a sneak peek at my recent work that I am collectively calling ‘Surface Stories‘. Click the link for more pictures and the full story. See you soon!

Source: Sharon Ho: Surface Stories

Be An Optimist

Posted on December 31, 2015December 31, 2015 Posted in Ceramics, Functional, Image, Studio NewsTagged Eastsound artists, Eastsoundartwalk, optimism, optimsimandco, Orcas Island, Orcas Island studios, textured, vases1 Comment

Eastsound Art Walk

Posted on November 26, 2015 Posted in Ceramics, Photo cards, Studio NewsTagged Eastsound Art Walk, Felt and Ceramics Studio Shop, handmade, OptimismandCo, Orcas Island ArtistsLeave a comment

It’s going to be fun and festive in the studio this Friday. Come, try on new felted wear and ceramic jewelry. Pick out a handmade something. We will be featuring a collection of ceramics by local artist Mary Jane Elgin, and exquisite handcrafted wood home goods by Orcas Workshop.

Join us and 24 Eastsound galleries and businesses for the Eastsound Art Walk this Friday from 2-5pm.

Letting Fall In

Posted on November 3, 2015January 27, 2020 Posted in Ceramics, Photo cards, Studio NewsTagged autumn, beach inspired, ceramics, coastal living, coiled pots, distressed, Eastsound Studio, fall, handcoiling, OptimismandCo, Orcas Island Artists3 Comments

“Fall is my favourite time of year!” I have heard these words declared so many times these past weeks and I cannot agree more. Especially after such a glorious sun-filled maelstrom of a summer, this Fall’s gentle coming has been sweet. Fall is my time to breathe, regroup, get back into routine with school, and brace my being for the cold blasts of winter. As I watched the leaves blow off from my studio window, the weather change is inspiring some coiling work. Coiling is one of the oldest methods for building pots in history used by people from Native Americans to the Koreans. For me, that rolling and joining of clay is not only satisfying in a tactile way, but also references the cycle of seasons, life and energy that we are all part of.

Besides new work and jewelry, I have a new collection of greeting cards reflecting Orcas in the mood of the season. A set of cards tied up in a bow would make a thoughtful house gift, I think. I’ll post some of the card images in my next post soon, but stop by when you are in Eastsound. Call me first, if you like at 360-220 8221.

Maelstrom. Coiled dark and white stoneware bodies, iron oxide wash, glazes, fired to cone 6. Mounted on driftwood (optional), 18″ across.

Work in progress. Cassius black clay vessel.

Work in progress. Cassius black clay glaze.

Sharon Ho – Ceramics To Hold

Posted on August 14, 2015 Posted in CeramicsLeave a comment

Yay! The Orcas Artists Studio Tour starts tomorrow, Aug 14 from 11am to 5pm. Three days of FREE, self guided art discoveries are awaiting. Come see my new work when you are in Eastsound. XOXO!

Opening This Friday

Posted on July 29, 2015 Posted in CeramicsLeave a comment

Wow, this is my second time in the Studio Tour. Last year, at this time, I remember feeling so nervous about putting my ceramic work ‘out there’. But it was a wonderful debut for me and I met many interesting people who came into my studio, many who had stories of their first time playing with clay way back when.

Since then people have some in with many different stories to share as they respond to my work or watch me work and it has been fascinating for me to hear them, both as writer and an artist. It has been inspiring on many levels and I do believe I will retell some of these stories, consciously or otherwise, in my ceramic work. Thank you for sharing.

Summer plates

Posted on July 14, 2015January 27, 2020 Posted in Ceramics, Functional, Island ReportsTagged beach inspired, ceramics, functional art, handmade, Interiors, island life, optimism, Orcas Island, pottery, serving plate, summer living, textured2 Comments

Long, late, evenings outside in other people’s gardens, shared platters of salads and fresh berries, watching the last sunlight trail on the flat water, cool mountain hikes as that favorite birdcall echoes in the gathering dusk, kids on the grass until the stars come out. I was thinking about how to safekeep these beautiful summer moments and how to keep them fresh, so, when I looked over these shots I took of my new work, I realised – this being the seventh summer I’ve enjoyed on Orcas – I may have already stored them in the plates I just made.

Handbuilt porcelain dish, 18" long — Handbuilt porcelain dish, 18″ long

Handbuilt dish in cassius clay. 19" long. Food safe. — Handbuilt dish in cassius clay. 19″ long. Food safe.

Spring shore

Posted on April 7, 2015April 7, 2015 Posted in Ceramics, Island Reports, Studio NewsTagged beach inspired, ceramics, coastal living, design, Eastsound, functional art, handcarved, handmade, ocean colors, Orcas Island, pottery, Puget Sound artists, San Juan Islands, shell artLeave a comment

Spring had sprung when I looked up from my pinched pots; the hills and shores are alive. Millie, my mother-in-law a.k.a personal florist, brought me this beautiful bouquet picked this morning from her garden and I knew exactly which vase it should sit in.

Petite clam dishes with carved detail, oxide washes

Spring is here on Orcas Island and the pace in my studio has been fevered. I have been working on a new flock of birds that are awaiting their first firing and jewelry for the studio mixed media/ceramic line. One project I am really excited about is a small-batch collection of tableware for a local retailer to be launched this summer. Sneak preview soon, maybe 😉

And, very special thanks goes out to Outlook Inn on Orcas Island for featuring our very large mixed media wall piece, Collaboration I, by Christa Smith and I, in their restaurant, New Leaf Cafe – the must-do dining spot on my Orcas list for visiting family and friends. Heading out for a walk in the spring sun now, see you on the shore!

At the hostess table, New Leaf Restaurant, Orcas Island

Baskets of good intent

Posted on January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 Posted in Ceramics, Found Object Assemblies, Island Reports, Photo cards, Studio News, WearableTagged baskets, beach inspired, ceramics, coastal living, design, functional art, handcarved, handmade, Interiors, island life, Orcas Island, pierced, San Juan Islands1 Comment

Baskets in the studio window - porcelain, food-safe — Baskets in the studio window – porcelain, food-safe

Baskets for bag ladies - in shop window — Baskets for bag ladies – in shop window

I still say Happy New Year to people at this time of January to stoke a little of that fire of good intent that, I believe, most of us begin every new year with, even those among you who have sworn off resolutions. In the shop, the front table and the window display has been refreshed. I’ve started on a series of black clay vessels and a line of photo cards I’ve been working on are in print as I write this. Come visit soon and wish me a happy New Year in return.

New Ceramist Debut

Posted on August 15, 2014 Posted in CeramicsLeave a comment

Tomorrow is Day One of the Artists Open Studio Tour on Orcas. The studio and gallery is looking good, with a new series of ceramic on wood art on the walls. And a flock of bird vessels just landed on the centre table. Come meet them!

If you’re on Orcas, find me at Eastsound Square, behind Mia’s Cafe and across the parking lot from Chimayo’s Restaurant.