Card It

Posted on November 17, 2015November 18, 2015 Posted in Image, Photo cards, Studio NewsTagged coastal living, design, Felt and Ceramics Studio Shop, heartstones, island life, nature inspired art, OptimismandCo, Orcas Island, photocards, photography, woodsandwater inspiration, woodsandwatergreeting cardsLeave a comment

A new collection of my photo greeting cards have arrived in the studio in Eastsound, in time for the Eastsound Art Walk on Friday, November 27, 2-5pm. They are glimpses of Orcas Island captured in organic textures and patterns that make living amidst woods and water such a tactile and inspiring experience for me.

Send a greeting on your favorite one, or pick a bundle for a thoughtful gift. Cards are $3 each or 5 for $12. I’ll have some ribbon ready.

Cards are 4.13″ x 5.82″ in size, made of thick 16pt, sustainably sourced paper stock with a light satin coating on the outside and left uncoated on the inside, making it easier for you to write your own message. Each card is individually scored, ensuring a clean fold. A white envelope is included.

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.

Sneak peek: Greeting cards with original Orcas Island photography

Posted on May 8, 2015 Posted in Image, Island Reports, Photo cardsTagged art, cards, coastal living, floral photography, flower close-ups, iconic images, Orcas Island, photography, San Juan Islands, still lifeLeave a comment

Send a good old-fashioned card with a hand written note. That NEVER goes out of style! I have always made my own greeting cards and this is a fresh, new way for me to share the many photos I’ve taken on and around Orcas Island, thanks to fantastic printing technology that captures the colors of my originals so vibrantly on beautiful card stock with a nice weight. I am so happy with how these have turned out. If you are familiar with the islands, see if you can spot where some of these were shot. Cards are now available in my studio in Eastsound Square, $3 each, including a white envelope. Come check them out!

Eastsound Square, 109 North Beach Road, Eastsound, WA. (Across the street from Ray’s Pharmacy.)

Fri-Sat, 11am-4pm. Other days, by appointment. (360) 220 8221.

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.