Journal of Australian Ceramics - featured article

Words cannot convey the joy I am feeling this month, or even for this whole year matter of fact!

Earlier this year I contacted Stephanie Outridge-Field to see if she would write about my studio practice. Stephanie's career in ceramics spans over thirty years, her work is just devine and not only is Stephanie a lovely person, she is a mentor and an inspiration! I feel very honoured and previliged to be featured in the latest edition The Journal of Australian Ceramics (50/3 Nov, 2011, which can be purchased on-line by the way...) and to have had an article written by Stephanie.

"Flourish"

The stunning photography by Tony Webdale, Flourish is captured on page 81 and filling a whole page.

porcelain with mixed media

It's been some time since I have posted any news about my ceramics on my blog and my reason being I have decided to use facebook as my primary platform for it (if you are wanting to see what's going on in the studio, all you need do is, scroll down, click on the fb link on this home page).

These days my ceramics practice is divided between my new found love of welding assemblages, and as it seems the 'clay & found objects' are starting to somewhat meld toward each other, as seen in the first couple of images... I'm straying alittle from my familiar coarse clay body to explore the pure white fine delicate body of southern ice porcelain - it's such a beautiful clay to work with and when fired to stoneware, feels like the skin of a new born - it's the ala carte of all porcelain (in my books anyhows!). I'm really enjoying breaking away from the norm, to have a play, and see what will evolve...

"Punctured I"

southern ice porcelain, clear gloss glaze inside, three rusted horse shoe nails

Detail - inside view

I can see some of my love of symbolism, coming through in the fall of the nails in this piece

"Flourish 1 & 2"

Detail - inside view

The next two assemblages - Clown & Maxine are reminiscesnt of fond childhood memoirs...

"White Clown"

southern ice porcelain, sterling silver diamante bracelets, anklets & parts, colapsible

Close-up view of diamante bracelet - a bit of bling!

"Maxine"

southern ice porcelain, colapsible, sterling silver diamante collar and accessories.

Kiln opening

This weekend I had two kilns going on the same day, my large gas and tiny electric. Firing in the large kiln my unearthed ceramics and the electric kiln a small commission and Lotus wares.

Large gas kiln - fired to 1200* unearthed ceramics

I was on excitement overload upon opening both kilns to see that it was a 100% strike rate. A kiln opening for me, can present itself like a smorgasbord full of emotion, waiting in anticipation to see if all is ok.

Top shelf - Four large Pitchers - wheel coil thrown, wheel thrown parts & spouts, assembled and handcarved. Each Pitcher can take up to 4-5 hours just to handcarve depending on design.

Bottom shelf - an assortment wheel thrown and turned, handcarved bowls.
Each bowl pictured can take up to three hours just to handcarve depending on the design.

If you would like to view the finished works visit my website

what's on the go in the studio

This wet weather has created a stallmate for me in the studio, its most uninspiring to work in the shed when its cool, wet and windy! However it does give me a dam fine excuse to be inside out of the rain and catch up on the other things. I might just get the Christmas decorations out!

Here's a look at what's in the studio waiting for a bisque...

A collection of carved Pitchers; Unearthed series,

Commission Abbey Musuem Egyptian Dig pottery; beakers, plates and pots handcarved decoration, hieroglyphics on the beakers.

Above & below; souvenir magnets for the Sunshine Castle

Promotional material

Its an interesting process trying to sit me at a desk and sort out the paperwork side of things...when all I'm wanting is to get my hands dirty and play!

Fine tuning the promotional side of my work, so far to date, a flip side DL flyer - showcasing both my ceramics and assemblage works.

Women's Lifestyle Expo

It was a hive of activitiy today at the Women's Expo with huge crowds, mostly women as you would expect, endulging in all the pampering that was on offer.

The response to my ceramics was overwhelming and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to share insights into my works, have a day off from the studio and interact with public.

Myself and Jenny, with my Unearthed ceramics.

Women's Lifestyle Expo

Sunshine Coast Women's Lifestyle Expo is being held at the Lake Kawana Communtiy Centre, showcasing over 120 businesses myself included, if you happen to be in the area call in and say gidday!

I'll be exhibiting new works from my "Unearthed" ceramics and giving an insight into the makings, behind the scenes in the studio and a presentation of my works practice from the humble beginnings to the current day.

Hope to see some familar faces agmonst the crowd.....

Sat. September 11 - Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina 9am - 5pm

New Works...

Fresh out of the kiln, cleaned up and gold leafed...

These are the pieces I photographed while in the leatherhard stage when in the making, now finished and ready to exhibit.

...a sneak preview of some of the works I will be exhibiting in the group exhibition "Essence of Time" April 12th to 25th in Graydon Gallery, 29 Merthyr Rd, New Farm.

Work in progress...toward a group exhibition in April, 2010

I've got alot on the go in the studio and each day I work on what feels right, for that day. Throwing on the wheel is not my strongest area when working with clay, but shear determination to master the skill is etched deep inside me since I first put hands to clay.

I am currently working on many projects, each taking priority of what is needed first. In April I am part of a group exhibition titled "Essence of Time" in Graydon Gallery, New Farm - Brisbane. In this exhibition I plan to exhibit my traditional 'Ancient' forms, most of which will be wheel thrown and assembled works, with hand-carved designs.

I don't usually photograph works in the raw stage...but I was really happy with how these came up, I felt they were worthy of a few shots...

3 spouted vessels in the raw 'leatherhard' stage

Detail of the hand carving, designs of ancient beasts

500 Pitchers

Hot off the Press! I am extremely delighted to announce a work from my graduate exhibition (bottom image) features in the recent edition of '500 Pitchers'.  Published by Larks Books, over 4000 entries were received worldwide, with only six images in the 500 selected from Australia.

500 Pitchers, Larks Books USA, 2006; p.347

 Pitcher, 2002, wheel-thrown and hand-built, formulated mixed clay, mid-fired and dry glaze - Graduate Exhibition, CSIT.

Exhibition

Please accept this warm invitation to my solo exhibition Unearthed ... a series of contemporary clay vessels and mixed media sculptures.

Meet and greet the artist on …Saturday 21 November from 5pm - upstairs 50 Maple Street, Maleny Qld.

I look forward to welcoming you to the Gallery to view my exhibition, however, If you are unable to attend opening night, the exhibition will run from 18 November to 09 December 2009.