Studio shots

As my father used to say, "Who left the lights on???!" This little light hasn't been off much this weekend, just turned it on again...

The pots are piling up these days, as I said before, the work doesn't stop around here. Even though I work in small batches, it still seems to cover every horizontal surface I've got...the kiln is full of glazed student and personal work, pots are waiting to be glazed, pots drying, pots sitting... Trying a few new designs these days. You may notice some pink cherry mugs hiding in some of these pics. A friend sent a picture of a tea advertisement with a pink cherry pattern. Funny how images work their way into my subconscious to my conscious.

A few more things on the etsy site...

Colorful 10" pear plate.

4.5" yellow and white leaf mugs

11" pasta jar

7.5" Buttah dish

The work doesn't stop around here, I'm not a happy camper when it does. More to come... on my table ready to glaze...cherry mugs, butter dishes, and small bowls. Ready to be bisqued... chip and dips, fatass coffee mugs and plates...is school out yet?

The Big Fix

I work by day, I work by night. There is no time in between to do maintenance, maybe laundry when absolutely necessary. My kiln lid is cracked- it's at least 25 years old, it's honorable! But to add insult to injury, the band holding my lid in one piece has snapped it's connections. ( And haven't we all at one point in our lives?) Do I have time to find someone to weld this back together? Not in this lifetime...I need to FIRE THE KILN!!!

So off I run to the Tech Ed department to ask for the biggest C clamp they've got. Jeff, my saviour had a 5 pound C-clamp. When unscrewed the entire way, it fits over my hinges and PRESTO! instant fix!

Does it not remind you of Steve Martin with the arrow through is head?

When I look at this, I feel like I am in a cartoon. Some days I am.

Fire on little kiln, fire on...

Student Art shows!!!

"Show and Sell" High School Student Art Exhibit, Saxonburg Area Artist Co-op. MArch 12, 2010




The greatest benefit from teaching is just this....seeing students standing with their creations!! It is an honor be there with them, struggling to get the idea out of their heads and into the material. All of my students are so genuine in their search for expression. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am so lucky to be there everyday with them.

"Arts Alive" Student Art Exhibit, Penn State New Kensington Campus. Sponsored by the Alle-Kiski Arts Consortium. Six School Districts, over 400 pieces of art. This is some of my Deer Lakes Crew.

If you ever worry about the future based upon limited experiences with teenagers, let me say all is not lost...keep the arts in school!

2pearspottery Handmade Profile - Yaami Handmade

2pearspottery Handmade Profile - Yaami Handmade

ETSY!!

March Work images

Free photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

Celebrate teaching...

Daisy Cup and Saucer, Emily Milbert, senior.

At this point in the year, thoughts wander to the elusive last day of school, I admit. But what balances thoughts of drinking coffee in my studio at 7am as opposed to my classroom, is student art shows!

Deer Lakes School District is a member of the Alle- Kiski Arts Consortium which sponsor the ArtsAlive! student exhibit at the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery. Six local high schools participate, which means there will be over 400 pieces of the Valley's best art. Students and families will pack into the gallery this evening from 6-8 pm.

My students will glow seeing their work presented in a professional gallery. Nothing gives the fledgling self confidence a boost more than hearing the comments of peers and strangers exclaiming the quality of the student work!

In a time period where test scores are valued over creativity and expression, the feeling I get every year from this show is that the human soul has an endless capability to express itself, and I am very lucky to be present for it every single day.

Check out the link below for a great article and student interviews...

A-K Consortium artists express themselves - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Teaching Rewards

"Tube Sculpture", Alyssa Trocki, grade 11, Deer Lakes High School-National K-12 Exhibit, National Council for the Education of the Ceramic Arts 1020Conference, Philadlephia





Teaching... is a complicated venture entered with the highest of ideals. When I began teaching, last century, I had expectations of myself and of my students. High expectations lead to excellent result! The piece shown above was juried into the National K-12 Exhibit this year!! This is the big leagues for my students. There were 1161 entrants from all states in grades k-12, of which 162 were chosen. She's excited, we're all proud. What can I say?