Life in flux...
I have decided to make the move from Blogger to Tumblr as both an aesthetic choice and a fresh home for new ideas. I searched for awhile but transferring the blog no longer became an option when I decided I wanted to wipe the slate. Wordpress did not quite appeal to me and Blogger is clunky, cluttered and deters from my main purpose of showcasing my artwork. Consider this a stream line.

The past year brought on much change in my personal life. It has impacted my artwork and focus in a positive manner. It has been both productive and creative. I feel I have hit my stride with my work this year and I have a concise direction on which I am headed.

Change is continuous. Life and art is always in flux. This blog will embrace the belief that change is a good thing.

Please visit me at http://ginadesantisceramics.tumblr.com for the new blog.

pinch pots from a demo at art house...

trial and error...

i devoted what little time i had in the studio this weekend to exploring sugar and creamer forms. the carved ones speak for themselves. the ones with no surface carvings will have cherry blossoms. i have always loved making lids and these ones turned out quite thin and refined. i'm still working out the creamer forms. i am finding that i either need to cut off the back to accentuate the spout, add to the spout or throw this will a curved lip so that they are more pronounced. i just need to get these fired and glazed before i decide which way i should continue with the form.

More planters...

I threw planters this past weekend. They are smaller in stature. More like an over sized mug. They are carved with a series of patterns. Some art nature referenced, others are more abstract. Enjoy.

Back to the carving.

I did quite a bit of carving on my pieces during grad school. Lately I am coming back to it as a choice for surface decoration. Cherry blossoms aside, I am very interested in nature and the surrounding environment's impact on my work. Cleveland's green space and industrial space both place an important part in what surface treatments and colors I lean towards.

If I had a theme song...

Inspiration...

Some mugs and a dead guy.

Glazing in progress...

New cups in progress. Think over sized teacups. Good for soup and caffeine addicts.

"Who is drinking the haterade?"
- my students

This year I made a conscious decision to become more devoted to spending time in my studio. With this mission came a lack of free time for social activities. When I go out I want to have a good time. I want to laugh. I want to sip an adult beverage and catch up with my friends. I do not want to sit and here people complain and whine and moan over every detail of their lives. I didn't realize how much it drained me, how it drained my creativity until a few weeks ago. No more. Its time to thin the herd.

Today reinforced this notion when I read a twitter post that led me to a blog devoted entirely to hating Cleveland. I question even writing one blog post entirely devoted to dislike let alone doing so daily. Not like I don't complain. I do. A lot. I can not tell a lie. But if you are devoting a large portion of your time to writing hate filled blog posts, twitter and facebook status updates you perhaps need to re-evaluate your life and the definition of social media. I'm guessing no one wants to be social with you anymore so you live on the computer.

If you put as much energy into your artwork as you do into constant hatred towards all things maybe you would be a better artist.

On that note, later haters. Going to ride my bike, drinking margaritas with M and you are not invited.

This Saturday, May 7th from 1pm-7pm please join the Screw Factory Artists for our Annual Spring Open Studio Event! Artwork will be on display and for sale.

See my work this Saturday alongside an amazing group of ceramics artists.

See my work this Friday at the Forty Plus Faculty Show.


The Patron Party is Friday, April 29th from 6-9pm for $20 per person. The Saturday and Sunday hours are free and open to the public. Please check out this amazing exhibit.

A Mental Exercise...

I am throwing three sets of dinnerware. Two sets will consist of four-piece place settings. The third will consist of three. Cherry Blossom, the new hand built series and my new combo of aqua/white/lime will be glazes.

I was quite proud to throw the cherry blossom set last night in one try and in an hour and a half no less! I usually focus on one shape like a mug and make 30 of them. Therefore making four shapes in sets of four is a different beast all together. I'm excited to see the results. I should make more each time I do the sets to allow for cracks, imperfections, etc. to not be such of a problem. But for the meantime I want to work out the design issues of the set and make sure the four pieces align properly before I go overboard.

Its been quite amazing spending so much time in the studio. I feel like the work is moving along quickly and with greater consistency.

Free shipping at my Etsy shop through the end of April. Use the coupon code aprilshowers when checking out. Visit my shop here.

Also please note for anyone shopping the May 7th studio sale that I do not have the work listed on Etsy at that sale. Please contact me if you wish to see something in person that day at artzy_grl@yahoo.com.

Spring and Summer 2011 Classes

I'm offering a few classes this spring. Please sign up quickly. Class size is limited to 8 students but I must have a minimum of 3 to run a class. More summer classes may be added but that is dependent upon the temperatures this summer!

Hand Building (All Levels):

Students will learn a variety of techniques to make bowls, cups and plates with stoneware clay. Coiling and slab building, decorating and glazing will be covered in this four week class. The class fee includes all materials and firings. Work will be available to pick up one to two weeks after the session ends.

Each session is priced at $110. See payment information below.

Spring Session II: Wednesday evenings, May 11, 18, 25 & June 1. 7:00pm-9:00pm.
Summer Session I: Thursday evenings, June 2, 9, 16 & 23. 6:30pm-8:30pm.

All classes are held at 13000 Athens Ave, Lakewood, Ohio. Studio 328 (3rd Floor). Email Gina at artzy_grl@yahoo.com to register. Cash, check or credit is accepted at the time of registration.

Refund policy: I need to maintain a certain number of students to run a class. You must cancel no less then one week before the start date of the class or workshop. A $10 processing fee will be deducted if you cancel. Cancellations will less then one week's notice will not receive a refund with the exception of a medical emergency.

New Work. Fragmented Nesting Bowls.







I have been working on nesting bowls. They were formed on wheel thrown molds and are meant to nest in sets of 3 or 5. Although some are proving to exist on their own. They are definitely the most sculptural pieces I have done. In addition I have expanded my glazing and surface treatments. I am really happy with the results and the turn in my work has been exponential thanks to helpful feedback from my fellow artist friends along the way. You can see these at River Gallery and the Orange Art Center at the end of the month.

I have spent the evening updating the images on my website's home page, galleries and rearranging the other galleries by date rather than category. Check out the progress at ginadesantisceramics.com.

And enjoy one of my new pieces in the cherry blossom motif!

New pieces with cherry blossoms.
You can see the finished product on April 30th at River Gallery!

A place to shop for my work this weekend...



I will be at the Orange Art Center this weekend selling my work. Friday's Preview Party has a $5 admission charge at the door. Saturday does not have the charge. The admission along with a portion of the artists' sales go to benefit the Orange Art Center. Located in Pepper Pike, this organization provides arts programming for children, teens and adults. Please stop by and check it out.

New Sushi Sets!


Not sure if these will be dried and fired in time for my next show but I thought I would share. Enjoy!