Bouncing back from the big drain of 2010...

After many long discussions with multiple artist friends I have realized how taxing negative people can be to me and therefore my artwork. I'm exceptionally sensitive and put a lot of energy out in my relationships, job(s), and artwork. My frustration stems from the fact that I don't receive back half the energy I give out. Whether intentional or unintentional certain relationships in the past year have really left me drained. My work ethic for studio time has been slim to none as has my creativity. The big shift in priorities came one month ago when I found out my grandma was in hospice. Two weeks later she passed away. She was a tremendous person and amazing artist. In losing her I feel that I need to get back to what is important and not let outside forces affect my creativity. In fact I feel best when I'm making artwork. In the past three days I have put my energy towards the positive and in that small span of time I have a new gallery that will be carrying my work and I think I might get into a show that is very important to me. If that took only three days, can you imagine what will happen by the end of summer? I'll keep you posted...

Trends.

I'm in the midst of gathering gallery names to send my portfolio to in the next month. As I leaf through the potentials I can't help but get frustrated that everything is the same. There are definitely some ceramics galleries that show the range of work out there. However the trends are hard to ignore. I have already been shot down from some sites because my work doesn't fit the aesthetic. Its frustrating when the quality of the product is there but "the look" doesn't fit. Right now everything is white and stark with the occasional contrast of color. There are some artists who just naturally have that aesthetic while others are just shamelessly knocking off that style. After all, style should be individual, right?!

My work is the opposite of the white on white look. Its not shabby chic, modern or sculptural. Its black. Very, very dark. With pops of color and cherry blossoms or stripes. Nothing subtle about it. Its a direct reaction to my landscape. In Cleveland we have little sunshine. The skies are gray with lots of rain and snow. But when the sun is out its beautiful and green. We also have a contrast of many green spaces in the suburbs with a skyline of downtown and industrial settings throughout. The landscape is definitely a huge influence in my work.

Now the question is when I send out these portfolios will people get it? And if they do will they be open minded that my work does sell because of the color palette. I can't keep anything with cherry blossoms in stock. Its my current project to churn out as much as I can in anticipation for this year's shows. I'll keep you posted...

As many of you know I teach for Art House. Check out this opening Friday night with proceeds from some of the artists going towards Art House!

Wall Eye Gallery 5304 Detroit Avenue Cleveland, OH 44102 216.640.7769 www.walleyegallery.com Two Receptions Friday, May 28 6:00 - 11:00 pm with live music by John Kalman Saturday, May 29 6:00 - 11:00 pm A Group Benefit ExhibitionEight Northeast Ohio artists have selected a nonprofit organization close to their hearts to benefit from their sales. Each artist will donate a portion of their proceeds to their selected organization, to be matched by Wall Eye Gallery for a total donation of 30% of sales. The Wall Eye Gallery resident artists - Lower Level Joe Ayala, Linda Ayala, Stephanie Ayala, Stephanie Lipscomb, Dante Rodriguez 30% of all Lower Level proceeds to benefit Art House Featured artists and respective organizations - Upper Level Dan Corrigan - Village Reach Emily A. Deeken - Autism Ohio Ben Haehn - Surf Rider Foundation Dan Miller - ChildSave Carmen Navis - Oceanic Preservation Society Melissa Oberdoester - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Elise Schiemann - Providence House Anna Tararova - Prevent Child Abuse America

One Percent.

I was encouraged by a friend to take a personality test this weekend. I have always known I was an introverted personality. This friend was in the 1-6% of the population. I then find out another friend is as well. Then I take the test and guess what? Yep. I'm in the same group. I feel somewhat comforted to know we have all found each other. Apparently I have the most rare personality type which I think explains why I experience so much conflict both internally and externally.

INFJ: "Author". Strong drive and enjoyment to help others. Complex personality. 1% of the total population. These are serious students and workers who really want to contribute. They are private and easily hurt. They make good spouses, but tend to be physically reserved. People often think they are psychic. They make good therapists, general practitioners, ministers, and so on.

"INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types." 

creative, smart, focus on fantasy more than reality, attracted to sad things, fears doing the wrong thing, observer, avoidant, fears drawing attention to self, anxious, cautious, somewhat easily frightened, easily offended, private, easily hurt, socially uncomfortable, emotionally moody, does not like to be looked at, fearful, perfectionist, can sabotage self, can be wounded at the core, values solitude, guarded, does not like crowds, organized, second guesses self, more likely to support marijuana legalization, focuses on peoples hidden motives, prone to crying, not competitive, prone to feelings of loneliness, not spontaneous, prone to sadness, longs for a stabilizing relationship, fears rejection in relationships, frequently worried, can feel victimized, prone to intimidation, lower energy, strict with self 

favored careers: psychotherapist, artist, art curator, bookstore owner, freelance writer, poet, teacher (art, drama, english), library assistant, professor of english, painter, novelist, book editor, copywriter, philosopher, environmentalist, bookseller, museum curator, opera singer, magazine editor, archivist, music therapist, screenwriter, film director, creative director, librarian, social services worker, art historian, sign language interpreter, photo journalist, makeup artist, photo journalist, homemaker

disfavored careers: airline pilot, race car driver, businessman, information technology consultant, executive, administrator, supervisor, bartender, lab technician, restaurant owner, strategist, ceo, bar owner, marketing specialist, business consultant

The Glamourous Life of An Artist...

I thought I would run down a typical week in my life. Granted I usually teach once a week but I think this is a good example of what to be prepared for if you wish to follow art as a career path. Its hard to make a living soley as a potter therefore I have a day job and I teach. I have noticed many career potters are married therefore another income in coming in. I don't have a husband. Its hard enough to get a guy in Cleveland to even commit to dating, but alas that's a whole other blog :) Therefore here is a week in the fabulous life of a single 30 year old artist...

Monday: Day job as an Assistant at an art center. Then straight off to work at my other job for Art House. I usually have to be organized and plan ahead since I don't get to eat any meals at home on Mondays. Come home and have a snack and watch bad acting on CSI: Miami.

Tuesday: Day job. Then taco night. Or another cheap happy hour. I'm broke and this night out with my friends keeps me sane.

Wednesday: Day job. Come home and have 15 minutes to eat dinner then head to the studio to teach.

Thursday: Day job. Then teach a kids' class at Art House. Gym.

Friday: Gym. Studio. Day off until 4 when I go teach at Art House again. Maybe hit a gallery opening. More likely have drinks with friends. Or back to the studio with some Great Lakes if I'm feeling anti-social.

Saturday: Gym. Studio. Grocery shop. Treat myself to a Gypsy Bean Mocha for surviving the week with out killing anyone. Go out or stay in? Depends on how exhausted I am and if I have any money.

Sunday: Gym. Studio. Clean House. Do Laundry. Cook a meal to last the week because I know that Mon-Wed there is no time to cook anything. Catch up on Vampire Diaries and Fringe. Yes, I watch Vampire Diaries. Its my guilty pleasure and the hot guy from LOST is in it so don't hate.

What's missing from this schedule? That's right, a day off. And don't forget that I have even less time if a Saturday and/or Sunday is filled with an art show. Occasionally I take a day off to do something fun but this means no studio. There are definitely times when I can afford to not go to my studio. But frankly I work very hard to afford it and I enjoy spending time there.

And note gym in the summer is often replaced by a bike ride :)

New Ceramics Classes!

I have some new classes starting...
First next week my wheel throwing class begins again at Art House. You need to register with them for the class. Call 216.398.8556 or visit their website for more info.

Then I have a hand building class starting in June at my studio.
Session 1: Wednesday Evenings from 7-9pm

June 2, 9, 16, 23
4 SPOTS LEFT!

Email me at artzy_grl@yahoo.com for registration or visit my site for all the other info. 

The Orange Art Center will be hosting a Cleveland Handmade Market on Sunday, June 27th. Apps are up for both Cleveland Handmade members and non-members. Check it out here.

Blog Abandonment

Let's be honest. Keep up with a blog is hard to do. And its finally warm out in the Cleve which means I would rather be on my bike then behind my laptop. While I hope to have some updates this month they will be hard to come by. Its been a long month for better and worse. I participated in a workshop and art show then I headed off to NYC to visit Natalie and see the Tim Burton exhibit at MOMA. It was amazing and awesome. Alas, I have yet to get any photos of the trip downloaded. Then I came home to an open studio, an ailing grandmother and ended my week be spraining by foot.

This year I set out to do less festival shows. They are a time suck and a soul suck sometimes. I will only be doing a few Cleveland Handmade shows, the Lakewood Arts Festival (my first time!) and maybe a show in Pittsburgh if they deem me fancy enough to get in (wish me luck). I have one exhibit proposal out and this weekend I begin work for an exhibit. It will be all cherry blossom motifs on the work and I can't wait! Expect less posts and hopefully some photos here and there of the new work.

In the meantime enjoy the beautiful Cleveland weather despite its intermittent nature.

My studio is more fun than your studio. 

The open studio went smashingly. And we proved to be the loudest and rowdiest studio in the building. This may be due to the mimosas and 1 in the afternoon. In plastic champagne flutes no less. What can I say? We are a classy bunch. Thanks to everyone who stopped by.

I wrote an article for the Lakewood Observer about 3 great events on May 1st in Lakewood including the Lake Erie Building Open Studio. Check it out here.

Last installment of the Strictly Functional Workshop...

Bill van Gilder was by far the most informative teacher I have ever learned from. I was amazed at his technique, handcrafted tools and simple yet elegant wood fired pieces. However I was even more pleased when he offered tips on teaching throwing. As an instructor for the past 6 years I took this workshop because I felt my teaching was becoming a bit stagnant. If I'm bored my students are probably bored. Right?!

Go to YouTube and search for Bill's videos. They are great resources I plan on passing onto my students. (You might know him from his tv show on the DIY Network or his book.)  I was inspired by all of the presenters but I must say that I think every potter should seek out the opportunity to learn from Bill.

Below is a pot that Bill threw then cut away to create handles. Below that is a thrown platter with an altered rim.

I I am now left to sort through my notes and figure out what to do next. With a New York trip  and open studio right around the corner these ideas will need to marinate until after May 1st. Hopefully I can wrangle my attention span and focus on something new and different.

More from the Strictly Functional Workshop...

I was by Fong Choo's work when I visited his website. His work is so well crafted that it almost appears to be glass in the photos. His demos did not disappoint. He throws small, non-functional teapots. Below is a demo of him attaching handles to one of these tiny pots.

He also showed us some options for handles on the mug below.

Below is an example of his finished work.

What I enjoyed about Fong Choo and Bill Van Gilder was their ability to craft tools specifically detailed for their work. I must admit to being too lazy to ever make my own tools. I would rather be making art then making tools. I was able to pick up a few of these tools from each presenter which I look forward to using in my studio and the classroom.

Also I should mention Fong Choo is an excellent respresentation of artist and business person. The two have become synonomous thanks to the internet. He spoke about doing shows, selling to galleries and not basing your prices on the economy but rather their value.

Strictly Functional Workshop 2010.
One artist/teacher was Sylvie Granatelli. She was the reason I attended this workshop to begin with. I have been following her work for awhile but her recent cover of Ceramics Monthly cemented by interest.

She created a variety of pieces for the workshop including her square dinnerware set and her swan condiment dishes. Above are two photos of her working and then a photo of her work in the exhibit. What attracted me to her pieces were the colors and shapes. She has highly carved vessels but they remain simple. Her views and insights into selling and creating work are very similar to mine. We both enjoy color, textiles, and food. She is technical without bombarding you the student with information. Its tricky sometimes as a teacher. You have to find a balance of instruction to the student coupled with allowing the student to explore the medium in a creative manner.

I was most intrigued by the fact that she was taking notes during the other presenters' demos. I think that is something every artist in every stage of their career should do. You should never stop learning as an artist. The idea that ceramics is still unknown to me and I can never learn everything there is to know about clay is one of the main reasons I still seek out this medium.

I am very concerned with how things are used since my days as a merchandiser. I worry not only about my aesthetic but how the pieces will be displayed and used. I am also highly inspired by textiles and fashion.

I also love to cook. If you follow this blog you have seen my recipes, etc. I think food, its preparation and presentation plays a large part in the work I produce.

I will keep you posted as to how my work ends up being affected by this lovely workshop...

The great artistic rut of 2010.

This year started off quite slow in the creative sense. I was burned out from too many holiday shows. I was busy cranking out production work and didn't feel like I was being creative. I was creating but it was mindless. On and off January, February and March I accomplished very little in the studio because I set out to experiment. I did not enter many shows this summer. Frankly I am sick of them. Its costly to enter and with the current economy the profits are often not worth the time and energy. Instead I decided I would focus on working through new and old ideas while entering juried shows. Still with this new set of goals I was stuck and frustrated. Oh yes, and very VERY unmotivated.

In an attempt to get unstuck (its not a word and I don't care) I decided to seek out workshops. I stumbled across Strictly Functional being held at the Wayne Center for the Arts in Wooster, Ohio. This was of interest for three reasons: I wanted to be a student again, I could not afford to travel out of state and my work is strictly functional. I can gladly say it was the best money I have spent in a very long time. For the past 2 days I observed three amazing teachers and artists. To say I am inspired and have a hundred new ideas would be a mild understatement. Each artist offered a different perspective on working, teaching and selling their work. I must admit I was pleased to hear that we all agree - craft festivals can suck!

I know it must sound hateful when I say this but I truly do not mean it as such. Let me explain it for the non-artists and non-patrons of festivals. Artists are many things. We are of course first, artists. Second we are sales people. We must sell our work and ourselves. We are businessmen and marketing gurus (whether we want to be or not!) We are merchandisers, accountants and deal with customer service. Not anyone can do what we do. Making a pot is not easy. If you disagree then stop by my studio and I'll give you an ass kicking lesson free of charge :)

The point is this...We do these shows and we get a lot of feedback both good and bad. Not everyone understands the time that goes into making a pot or a silver ring or a glass blown vase or a painting. But we are selling a good that not everyone can replicate and something that is one of a kind. Do not ask us for a deal. You want to buy 2 mugs and want a discount? Its not any less work making 2 mugs than it is 1. Its more work so why do you want a price break?

A workshop goer commented that at a festival she overheard a father say to his son, "See these artists. This is why you get a college degree." Apalling, is it not? My response would simply be, "A college degree? Why yes, I have two. Do you have your Masters degree?"

The past two days have affirmed that I am happy to be a potter even if it only is a part time job. I knew I was happy to be a teacher but now I have a whole new source of inspiration to share with my students. And I was happy to be surrounded by 150 people who understood what it is like to think like I do.

In the next few days I will post some photos. I still have to sort through my notes. I hope they make sense. Now my biggest decision is what to share with my students first?...

My Next Show...

The Orange Art Center is hosting an Invitational Fine Arts and Craft Market.  The event will be held on Saturday, April 17th from 11-5pm and Sunday, April 18th from 12-5pm at the OAC.

Fine arts and crafts will be for sale in this two day show including painting, prints, photography, copper wall hangings, scarves, handbags, recycled glass, jewelry and ceramics.

Participating artists include Jackie Adamany (Blue Orchid Handbags), Deby Cowdin (From the Blue Bag), Gina DeSantis, Jenn Doss, Gretchen Gaede, Erika Hansen, Susan Kleinstub (SusanK Jewelry), Kathryn Patton (Smashing), Susan Skove, Betsey Somershield, Jennifer Szalkowski (Night Owl Glass), Asami Wadi and Chris Zielski (Copper Leaf Studios).

The Orange Art Center is located at 31500 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike, OH, 44124.

Contact Gina DeSantis at 216.831.5130 for more information.

Spring Session:

Wednesday evenings (Only 3 spots left! Spots are not held without payment)
Apr 21, 28 and May 5, 12
4 weeks / 7-9pm

Summer Session 1:

Wednesday evenings
June 2, 9, 16, 23
4 weeks/ 7-9pm


This class is designed for beginning students as well as more advanced students wishing to expand their hand building skills. Using stoneware clay you will earn how to create functional pieces and sculptures using slab, coiling and basic mold techniques. Decorative techniques and glazing techniques will also be addressed.
Tools are available for use. There is no need to purchase any tools separately.

Cost $105. Includes (1) 25lb bag of clay, glazes and 2 firings. Additional clay may be purchased for $15 for a 25lb bag. Payment is due upon registration. Class size is limited to 6 students. Spaces cannot be held without payment. Please note: There is a $25 withdrawal fee. Notice of withdrawal must be received no later than 7 days prior to the first day of class. No refunds will be given after that time.

Class location: 13000 Athens Ave, Lakewood, OH. Studio #328.

Please email artzy_grl@yahoo.com to register or with any questions. 

Hey Lakewood! 

May 1st is a day of awesome art filled goodness!!!

Little did we know when planning began for the next open studio event at the Lake Erie Building that it would turn into a whirlwind day of art. A group called the Cleveland Craft Coalition is holding shows at Bela Dubby the 1st Saturday of the month. Check them out from 12-4pm and grab a cup of coffee. Then head over to the Lake Erie Building (or more affectionately called the Screw Factory Artists) from 1-8pm for our annual spring open house. More art. And wine, of course. Can't forget the wine. Or our auction to benefit the Friends of Madison Park. Then hang out and purchase tickets to LEAF's Rutabaga Nights fundraiser from 7-midnight. Hope to see you at one or all of these events!

Round 3 of the wall tiles. I think the kinks have been worked out.

you guessed it. more mugs.

mug week continues...

i liked these so much i made about 30+ of them in purple and aqua. you can see those tomorrow. i'll have some for sale online and in my etsy shop in addition to my open studio event on may 1st. salty not sweet in collinwood has some of these too.