Rejuvenate 1 of 3

One side of a sgraffito piece, which is now clear coated and on my bookshelf.

This giant update Baby is being turned into a triplet.

I have a lot to share from my winter hiatus.

Walking back into the studio with a fresh box of clay is thrilling. I have conjured so many ideas, tips and techniques I have seen, and all I want to do is play.

These past months have been crazy for me. My great ideas have transcended into me being the head of planning, and directing, which is so time consuming. Looks like my goals and resolutions are out the window, but it’s all in good meaning, because the event is in benefit for the Houston House Arts Center . It’s a murder mystery about the death of Van Gogh and it’s a terribly good time making it all come together.

Looking down into the piece. Not perfect, but I'm getting better.

Right now we are in the process of a major revitalization of the organization. For years the organization has sat, collecting dust, and losing members (mostly by death), but the all is finally coming together in hopes of outreach to the community. I am glad to be a part of it, because there is nothing else in this world I would rather be doing than something that involves art.

One side of a sgraffito piece, which is now clear coated and on my bookshelf.

UPDATES--UPDATES---UPDATES

Whee! Updates! First off, as I am typing this the kiln is getting all wired up and ready to fire, which is GREAT, because I bought some red low fire clay after checking our CAD's story about potter Daniel Ricardo Teran who uses such a simple technique, but BOY what talent does he have!? I am absolutely inspired from his studio to the techniques and meanings behind his work. A lot of Daniel's work displayed on his site depict the works of a man caught in between a tin foil hat, and an environmentalist... but it's all in good flavor.

Another cool thing I discovered was this Siphon Blower, which makes penny pinching potters like myself drool. With this product there is no need for an expensive air compressor, and then the expensive gravity fed spray guns. All you need is this helpful gadget and a good set of lungs. Genius!

WELL, look at that purdy pot sitting on my work desk! Yep, this is one of my smaller Mayco pieces I didn't take home. While I'm not 100% thrilled with the outcome of it due to some glaze not reacting like how I envisioned, it still makes a nice little pencil holder, and I got plenty of comments about it at work, too!

POTTERY CLASSES ARE COMING TO THE HOUSTON HOUSE!!

You should be very excited, because I am SUPER excited and can't wait to get started!!!!

New Baby!!!

Yay!! Isn't is beautiful!? We got it in at the Houston House on Wednesday along with a bunch of Duncan glazes and ceramics tools.

I can't tell you how bad I am clawing at my cubicle at work to get out, and go play!!

It's a bit smaller than the old one, which is fine with me, because I never did utilize the entire space in the old kiln. Sadly, it is getting a burial in the basement until we feel like getting it fixed.

A new kiln brings new ceramics classes, which also has me excited! I was also named head of the ceramics committee for the arts center! I'm just exploding with enthusiasm and excitement over here! I really think next year will bring some great possibilities and experiences at the Houston House Arts Center!

I can't wait!

Santa came early at the Houston House!!

Now, I have to go find some clay.

Viva la Art.... but not so much for the kiln.

Once more the kiln is out of commission. This makes the second time this year. The darn thing apparently won't "shut off" even after the kiln sitter has flipped down.

I know... I was confused, too.

Anyways, while I'm on hiatus, the board at the art league I work out of will be voting on using emergency funding to purchase a used kiln off of another board member's Aunt. I also inquired with this board member that if the board voted down the request, then I myself would personally buy the kiln and house it at the Art League for their use until I get my own studio. Win-win for them either way.

But, either way, they need one. I will be teaching some ceramic classes come spring time, as we have been receiving a lot of requests for adult clay classes.

I am excited for what the Houston House Arts Center will be doing for 2012. We're pretty much revitalizing the way we do classes, and are adding more events to our agenda in hope of gaining members, and having more outreach to the community.

There has been talk about one of the closer Arts Centers a county over possibly closing up shop due to lack of funding, which makes me extremely sad. I say, if you have to teach painting out of a shack, then do so. Arts in the community is so important, especially to children and young adults who cannot receive the freedom to express creativity with the watered down school art class agendas. Not to mention many schools have cut their art programs all together, because of financial issues.

I didn't mean for this entry to turn so sappy, or political, but I stand highest for arts, because promoting creativity in the young minds of today equals a future of innovation, and different thinking. It means the difference from followers, and creators.

The last thing I would want in life is to be stagnant, and be around stagnant people.

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Back to ceramics.... I have some really nice pieces made up from Mayco, which will be glazed this week! I'm so excited!! I can't wait to see the final product!