better make some more

"Down Under - The Farm I"  Porcelain, prints, matt iron glaze. Fired in Reduction to 1280 deg C.

I made two in this series and sent them off to some exhibitions where they both have found new homes.

Next best thing

I'm not using my own 'studio' to make at the moment so the next best thing on a rainy afternoon is to get out the drawing materials.

Ages since I tried white on black. The flower I've sketched is a kangaroo paw, a native of Western Australia.

Hope these are popular

I'm trying a different market place with a couple of friends on Sunday and have a few new items including these brooches:

Made from textured stoneware clay, red or green underglazes with a clear glaze over the top.

This week in the garden

This week I'm taking part in a survey of wildlife in the garden by our local Council.  A few days ago it was nearly all birds- mostly these whose common name is Soldier Bird as when they think their territory is threatened they will call out to each other and all  fly in to see what the enemy is and try to chase it away.

Today they were a bit upset by this visitor - the Blue Tongue lizard which is a large form of skink.  I don't mind these too much (not a fan of reptiles) as they eat snails and are fairly harmless.

 The garden is looking good after some spring rain.  These Lilly Pilly are so soft and fluffy and the bees love them.  They produce a berry which can be made into jam but I like to leave them for the birds to eat.

This is a Euopean Honey Bee and we also have a small black native bee around but so tiny and quick I wasn't able to snap one.

Where are they now?

I've been going through all my notes from the last 12 years of  study. 
(mostly part-time at night after work as a Clerical Officer and Notetaker for Students with Disability)

I've been sorting them into topics and putting aside what can be recycled.

While there I came across this flyer from about 2001 and wondered where these clay workers are now?
They had a shop front and workshop combined and even employed a thrower while they concentrated on decoration and supplying orders. I believe they were sending their work worldwide and that was with only limited web access in those days.

Found a new home

Here is a photo of the piece I sent off to the Coraki Art Prize where it found a new home.

Titled "Down Under - The Farm II"  it is a statement about my concern for the affect of the mining boom on our farmlands.

TAFE Muse Exhibition 2011

Last night I enjoyed the opening and presentations at the Muse Gallery at Ultimo TAFE College in town.  Some great work there this year.  The slipcast assemblages were of particular appeal.  The teacher of that class, Julie Bartholomew, really gets the ideas rolling in her students. Not only that but they learn excellent mold making skills.
My own work, which I started while attending the Master Class was on display.  You can see some of the other work over at the Port Hacking Potters blog.

Slab built textured forms.  Jug is in Porcelain and the box is stoneware.