It's About Time

I inherited a lot of the family things that no one else wanted- a box of old photos, button jars, etc. I have had some things for years and other things more recently before my dad died. My children never knew these people and I know that they would not care to keep these things so I decided to create some altars/shrines using the things that I have inherited. The actual altars were created out of clay then I painted them (instead of glazing) to give them a worn look. At my show at ClaySpace Ceramic Arts Center, I met ceramic artist Gina Lee Robbins who creates incredible organic sculptures. When Gina contacted me about the Oak Park Art League's show It's About Time, I was deeply touched. Her comment that my altars were perfect for the show and that the community was filled with "wonderful, caring artists," convinced me to give it a try. However, I had to push through some fear to actually wall through the door. The welcome I got nearly made me cry. The executive director raved about my work, called it "perfect" for the theme and wants to showcase my work. Wow! I cannot wait to go to the opening tonight. A new adventure.

Calumet

First thanks to everyone for your kind condolences concerning the death of my dad. They have truly helped me during this difficult time. 

I do not know about you but for me either I have too much going on or nothing. This month has been too much. I am pleased to announce that my show,"Calumet," with Ken Maloney will be running for the entire month of April in the Gallery at ClaySpace Ceramic Arts Center in Lisle, IL. I loved watching the gallery transform over the three days it took us to get it all together. I had forgotten just how much work putting up a show can be. 

Ken invited me to join him so the concept of the show was his and deals with us both growing up in Northwest Indiana. Here is the show's statement to help you understand.

The northwest corner of the State of Indiana is often referred to as the Calumet Region. Most Hoosiers simply know it as “The Region.” It is a gritty area of immense environmental change and great contrasts. It is the home of working class families and oil refineries. It is a land marked by steel mills and smoke stacks and stunning biodiversity—incredible prairies, dunes, and forests —coexisting with EPA Superfund sites.

The river that divides the hometowns of Karen S. Musgrave and Ken Maloney (Highland and Hammond respectively) also bears the name Calumet.   Although they no longer refer to this area as home, both artists are unable to deny the influence the area has had on their work.  Themes of family, landscapes, texture and disparity are evident in both artists’ work. Karen and Ken met at ClaySpace in 2012 and were both a bit surprised to realize they shared so many common visual experiences.  The glow of the night sky caused by the blast furnaces of the nearby steel mills, the odd assortment of businesses on Kennedy Ave, and large Catholic families sharing two bedroom homes, et al. The Region is clearly not the sole source of their inspiration, yet their shared experiences cannot be denied. 

We will be celebrating with a closing on April 25 at 7 p.m. I hope you can join us. I think the juxtaposition of our work makes for an interesting show. 

Good Deed and A New Connection

On Thursday while at ClaySpace, a plea went out to fix a broken piece for Clay3 (a national exhibition/competition put on by ClaySpace). Stephanie Lanter's piece, "Invaders," was selected for the show's poster and Stephanie had asked for the piece to be fixed. Since I have been playing with lots of different glues and epoxies and no one else wanted to step up, I did. The piece had eight pieces that needed to be glued. I spent most of Friday working on it and finished today. Last night I had a delightful conversation with Stephanie. Her piece resonated with me since it is all about relationships (i.e. communications) with others and ourselves. When I went to her website and discovered that she is also combining fiber with clay, the connection deepened. Please check out her work. You won't be disappointed.

Several people told me that I was nuts to take on this job. Maybe that is true, but I was able to put it back together. I did this because I know that I would want someone to step up for me if the shoe was on the other foot.

Secrets One

Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination or forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing. - August Wilson

I marvel at how the universe can sometimes make it impossible for you to look away. That is my reality. My dad is dying and not in a nice way but slow and painful way. My friend, Ken Maloney, has asked me to join him in a show at ClaySpace that focuses on where we grew up. So to deal with all the issues/demons, I am making art. I decided to do a series of alters which I am calling "Secrets." This one is "Secrets One: The Adopted Grandmother." The alters are made from clay and the contents are from different people in my life growing up. Now that I have finished the first one based on my adopted grandma Rachel, I am anxious to continue. The healing has hopefully began.

Another Point of View

Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots. -Frank A. Clark

It has been a long time since I have attended a critique session so I was a little nervous about Friday night's session at ClaySpace. Clay is a recent medium for me and I am still very much a newbie. Since I was also in charge of First Friday at ClaySpace, I wasn't even sure I could participate so I grabbed this crow mask without much thought. The group felt that the eyes needed to be shiny. My sculpture teacher, Jon Pacheco, suggested that I use black nail polish. When I went to the grocery store on Saturday, I was able to find some on clearance for 89 cents! It is amazing how this little change made a huge impact. I also learned how to tell if a piece is under fired (your tongue will stick) and indeed, this piece was under fired which explains why the beak looks the way it does. I loved the serendipity that occurred by the under firing and because this is an art piece and not a functional piece, it's all good. Hopefully it will sell.  And because I know I will be asked if I don't include it, the mask is 6" w x 10"h.

I think the critique session at ClaySpace was good because Ken Maloney, who was leading did a great job, and the people attending were caring and giving. I know I spent time explaining to people before the event that a critique is not about ridicule and denigration. In our culture, the term "criticism" has acquired negative connotations so I understand people's apprehension about having their work critiqued. I found a few definitions about criticism that I found particularly useful. Edmund Feldman, noted art education, defines criticism as "Participation in informed talk about art." I think "informed" is the key word here. Morris Weitz, philosopher, defines criticism as "The use of words to facilitate understanding art." "Facilitate" is the key word here.

Saturday night, no one's work was deemed bad. Solutions to problems were freely given. Ken also asked each of us to share a favorite artist. So the session was also about learning a little more about the artists who make up ClaySpace. For me, the community is one of the best reasons to be involved.  I am anxiously awaiting next month's critique session on March 7. And once again, the gallery will be open and refreshments will be served.

Have you participated in a critique session? If so, what was your experience?

Another Dark Angel

With my mojo back, I headed off to my studio Monday night with a spring in my step, no dread. I thought to make this painted piece larger but decided to just leave as it and quilt it. This has been mounted on a 16" x 20" painted canvas. It will be shown at my show in April at ClaySpace and if it doesn't sell, I'll use it for the pop-up gallery show in August. Feels good to be working toward a goal.

This is the third in my Glimpses of the Dark Angel series. Seemed appropriate considering my battle of late to stay creative. It will be interesting to see how my small mounted pieces will be received. Meeting with Ken tonight before sculpture class to finalize the plans for April. This should help my mood too. I am always good when I have deadlines. How about you?

Learning, Exhaustion, Excitement

Tuesday I spent nearly twelve hours learning how to operate the gas kiln at ClaySpace. That is how long the process took. I learned so much that I could feel my brain expanding.  It was also a day of camaraderie-hanging out with Jon, Ken and Theresa.

Jon Pacheco making adjustments to the flue 

I enjoyed watching the flames change color which is also an indicator  of what is happening inside. I still can't get over that the kiln reached 2345 degrees. I could still feel the intense heat when I placed my hand near the door last night. We wont be opening the doors of the kiln until Friday night so that we are absolutely certain things have cooled off.

Ken Maloney checking the cones

I was exhausted by the time I got home but far too excited to get a decent night's sleep. Twelve hour days are not a easy as they once were not too long ago.

It is also so wonderful to be supported by such caring people. I don't have a ceramics background but am never made to feel stupid by my questions or lack of experience. Everyone should be so blessed.

Sculpture and Collage

Last night I helped load "Don," the gas kiln at ClaySpace. My torso is finally going to be fired! I am so excited. Today I will be spending the entire day at ClaySpace learning all about firing in a gas kiln, playing with clay and hanging out with some truly incredible people. I won't be able to see my torso again until Friday when the kiln will be cool enough to open. I must trust the kiln gods to protect her and everything else in the kiln. I purchased a matte black glaze and have no idea if or how it will ultimately look. For me, it is like being a kid again on Christmas Eve.

Once all the pieces are out, I will have to work on putting the white crow that sits on the shoulders together. Since some broke the crow, this will present another interesting challenge/experience for me. I will need to also attach the wings I made. I view all of this as a learning experience. And while I would hate for anything bad to happen, I know that I can make it. Hopefully my next piece will be even better.

For my second collage, I painted tissue paper and interfacing and added them to a commercial Ricky Tims fabric and topped it with a piece of paper. I mounted the collage on a black painted canvas. Definitely want to continue playing in this direction. The collage is 7" w x 5" h and mounted on a 8" x 10" canvas. I like the juxtaposition of the shiny black background and the collage. My youngest son does not. He thinks it should be matte. It was fun! I already know what I will be doing next Monday night.

Off to learn and play! Make it a great day!

Creativity and Panic

”You can’t just turn on creativity like a faucet. You have to be in the right mood. What mood is that? Last minute panic.” - Bill Watterson

Doesn't Bill Watterson's quote hit the nail on the head! Deadlines are powerful motivators. ClaySpace's opening (tonight, tomorrow and Sunday) created a motivation for me to finish some work so I could be part of ClaySpace Gallery. The first piece was a mask that grew out of the bird pieces I was doing. The fiber is recycled sari silk. There are bone skull beads and other glass beads tied into the string that I dyed. I'm calling it "The Devil is in the Details."

The other mask, "Grief" is one of the first masks I made and one that my youngest son does not like at all. His reaction is quite strong. Passion is a good thing and I find his reaction interesting. I don't take it personally. I know my work is not for everyone.

I glued a piece of black wool felt to the back so the eyes, noses and mouth had more definition. I also added some teardrop metal beads. I am happier with it even if it is not one of my favorite masks. And I am in the gallery!  Overcame that fear and have even gotten compliments on my pieces. The real test will be if they sell.I am going to dwell in the possibility.

Donation to ClaySpace Raffle

We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. 
                                             -ee cummings

Next weekend ClaySpace is having an open house to celebrate the move to Lisle. Each resident artist is being asked to donate a substantial  piece for the raffle. I don't have a lot of "substantial" ceramic pieces so last night I finished a mask I had begun months ago and never finished. This piece continues my desire to combine clay with fiber. Chances are $1.00 each and you don't have to be present to win. I just hope it raises some money. This is one of those times where I just put my work out there and see what happens and not take it personally. It is something different. Hopefully it will find a new owner that is happy to own it. I'll keep you posted.

Goddess Doll

It has been a long time since I made a doll. When the call went out for an international goddess doll exchange in Needle Queen's group on the Milliande Art Community for Women Ning site. I decided to answer the call. While I am not an active member, I do enjoy the women there and occasionally join in on swaps mostly because I can have contact with women creating in other countries. 

Anyway, here is my first attempt a making a goddess doll. I opted to create my own pattern. Decided I didn't like the dolls that had the bottom come to a point. I did like the ones that had the arms and hands joined so it was easy to hang. The "crown" was made by Katie Teesdale, a delightful and highly talented young woman. Katie is an intern at ClaySpace which is where we met.  Katie created the piece to be a necklace, I thought, "Crown!" I cannot tell you how happy I was that my intended use worked especially since I forgot to plan for it. Where was my brain? My son, Nathaniel, thinks I need to keep her and make another one for the trade. I was touched. He is definitely becoming sweeter and kinder with age. Another goddess doll is definitely going to be made. It was good to just play and have fun!

Sorry I forgot! She is 11 inches tall.

Mixed Media Postcard Swap and Friendship

Shannon Ganshorn is once again hosting her International Mixed Media Postcard Swap Version 4.0 so of course, I signed up. You can too. Deadline for signing up is May 10.  You send out 10 postcards and get 10 in return. I've been working on mine. Each is a little different but the overall design is the same. I made two new friends last round. Jill is now a member of heARTist Trading Cards which is also the reason I will continue to do these kinds of trades.

Today was also my interview for becoming a resident artist at ClaySpace. I will admit to being a little nervous but there truly was no reason. Theresa was warm and welcoming and Sharon who sat in unofficially was a jewel as always. I will be presented to the board for a vote then placed on the waiting list. Not sure when I will become an RA. Hopefully I will only have to wait a couple of months. I feel strongly that ClaySpace is going to continue to help me grow as an artist and a person. I love the people I am getting to know. I've been putting poems on Hannah's shelf, a 26 year-old with an old, caring  soul, after learning we shared Mary Oliver as our favorite poet. Today I found on my shelf a gift from Hannah. I am blessed and sad. Hannah is moving to upper Minnesota at the end of May.  I am sure we will stay in touch. We have shared such a deep connection. When was the last time you made a new friend with someone much younger?