Spring shore

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, Island Reports, Studio NewsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
The Sea Is Blue vessel (one of 3)
The Sea Is Blue vessel (one of 3)

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
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
At the hostess table, New Leaf Restaurant, Orcas Island

Baskets of good intent

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, Found Object Assemblies, Island Reports, Photo cards, Studio News, WearableTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 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.

To a new year of beach walks

Sweet turtles

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, Functional, Island ReportsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

These turtle dishes put a smile on my face, and I hope it brings a smile to you too.  Maybe it is the colour in bloom all around me that’s inspired me to explore tones that are not in my usual glaze selections.  Fun to be out on a limb and hanging on for a bit.  Enjoy the sunshine everyone!

Sweet turtle tapas dishes in a clear glaze over carribean blue and rubbed salmon coloured stain.
Sweet turtle tapas dishes in a clear glaze over carribean blue and rubbed salmon coloured stain.
Rim detail
20140706_134614
Oval dish
Ready for first firing
Ready for first firing

Walk with me

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, Found Object Assemblies, Functional, Island Reports, Mixed media, WearableTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Walk with me Handmade ceramic pendant and two round beads. Glazed and high-fired to cone 5/6, pooka shells, stone beads, found objects, natural strings.
Walk with me
Handmade ceramic pendant and two round beads. Glazed and high-fired to cone 5/6, pooka shells, stone beads, found objects, natural strings.
Seed bead Hand carved ceramic bead with relief glazing.
Seed bead
Hand carved ceramic bead with relief glazing.

Hello! From two summers ago, a memory of a tangled seaweed necklace studded with rocks inspired this recent work. I named this ‘Walk with me’ because I think of the person wearing it as a collector who picks up bits and pieces on long meanders on the beach or in the woods and strings them in her memory.

This is one of the artworks featured at the annual Edge Arts Collective show at the Orcas Centre Gallery on Orcas Island. The show is one of the most anticipated of the year among island artists and collectors, not least because of its swinging opening night party. It opens this Friday October 4th, party starts at 5.30pm. All invited.

I’ve had a long busy summer, and Fall (my favourite time of year! featuring my favourite colours!) signals my time to hunker down in the studio and translate my summer’s travels and inspirations in new work. Off I go. Won’t you walk with me?

Citrus Denim

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, Found Object Assemblies, Island Reports, Mixed media, Salvaged Decor, WearableTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
"Citrus Demin" Hand stamped ceramic pendant, oxide rub, celadon and clear glazes; found beads and custom made black cord with stainless steel clasp
“Citrus Demin” Hand stamped ceramic pendant, oxide rub, celadon and clear glazes; found beads and custom made black cord with stainless steel clasp

Citrus Denim

This one’s available too at the Annual Salmonberry Silent Auction and Dinner – the school’s main fundraiser event – that takes place this Saturday evening, May 4th on Orcas Island. The details are in the description in the photo caption above. This beautiful piece measures 2.25″ x 3″ and comes with a 16″ black cord, all beautifully packaged in a giftbox. Mother’s Day gift? If this one speaks to you, contact me at optimismandco@gmail.com with your bid (any amount) BEFORE 3pm Pacific Standard Time, Saturday, May 4th and I’ll put your name on the bid list. I’ll contact you with delivery details if you win!

Have a cow

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, Found Object Assemblies, Island Reports, WearableTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

'Mover and Shaker' Pin, pendant and bag tag
‘Moover and Shaker’ Pin, pendant and bag tag

"You Moove Me" Pin, pendant and bag tag
“You Moove Me” Pin, pendant and bag tag
"A Moodern Heart" pin, pendant and bag tag
“A Moodern Heart” pin, pendant and bag tag

Three of my latest cow pins/pendants/bagtags are available for bids this Saturday at the Salmonberry School Silent Auction and Dinner on Orcas Island – the school’s annual fundraiser. Each pin measures 2.5″ x 2″ and is handstamped and carved from brown clay that is then glazed in iron oxide and satin white. If there’s one you like, contact me at optimismandco@gmail.com with your bid (any amount) BEFORE 3pm Pacific Standard Time, Saturday, May 4th and I’ll put your name on the bid list. I’ll contact you with delivery details if you win!

Red Jacket For Winter

Posted on Posted in Ceramics, FunctionalTagged , , , , Leave a comment
Off to the season’s best parties
Hand-built slab pitcher with carved details. Commercial glaze, iron oxide wash, fired to Cone 6.

Like birdsong in winter, I’ve been too busy sheltering from the cold to throttle about much, but oh, I’ve been busy in the studio making pitchers, and ceramic jewelry (a post on that coming later this week – I have a case made for a Wearble Art show at the Orcas Center, opening this Sat, Dec 1).  My newest bird friends will attest to that.  Enjoy the next couple of posts.  These birds are all very versatile 5-inch tall pitchers that fit snugly in the hand for pouring.  Use for milk, olive and nut oils, dressings on your table, or for bath salts, soap or shampoo holders.  Food safe glazes and textured wings provide a firm grip.

Red Jacket back detail